Chapter 42: Personnel

Summary

• Chapter 42 titled "Personnel" takes place in January 1962, and revolves around the character Elizabeth Zott, her struggle to find work, and a pivotal moment at her former place of employment.
• Despite Elizabeth's fame and public recognition, she faces challenges in securing a job in the scientific community due to notable chemists publicly questioning her credentials.
• Elizabeth, proposed with returning to her old TV show by her friend Harriet, rejects the idea, opting to maintain her integrity and focus on scientific work, while Harriet deals with personal issues and ambitions.
• Elizabeth receives a call from Miss Frask, formerly dismissed from Hastings, claiming to be the new head of Personnel at Hastings and requests Elizabeth to come in with her dog Six-Thirty, hinting at a significant investor's interest.
• Harriet, evaluating her life choices and being disillusioned with her marriage, seeks empowerment through a career in magazines, utilizing her extensive knowledge on the subject.
• After gaining confidence from Elizabeth Zott, Harriet sends in a critical article on women in science written by Roth, with the hope of it getting published, as a step towards her goal.
• Upon Elizabeth's arrival at Hastings, she experiences recognition from staff, is surprised to see her own photo on the cover of Vogue, and is informed she is to meet in her late partner Calvin's old lab.
• In the meeting, Elizabeth encounters an old acquaintance, Wilson, the influential investor, and Avery Parker of the Parker Foundation, who express intent to reinvigorate her scientific research at Hastings.
• Elizabeth's past at Hastings, along with the memory of her deceased partner Calvin, casts doubts over her willingness to consider the offer.
• Surprisingly, Donatti, a senior chemist at Hastings who was involved in past wrongdoings, interrupts the meeting and faces confrontation over his unethical conduct.
• Revealed that the Parker Foundation has taken a majority share in Hastings, influenced by Frask's letter in Life magazine, Donatti is ousted due to fund misappropriation and malpractice.
• Frask, now the head of Personnel, is charged with appointing a new Chemistry director, and Elizabeth is offered Donatti's position, though she finds him unfit and not smart enough for his previous job.