As you probably all know my work siutation is crazy - I have been with one attorney now for almost 8 years - when we moved about 5 years ago - the VP of the company/bosses lover started coming into work drunk and it was a mess and still is. About a year ago my boss was slowing down with work and was speaking to another attorney in the area that needed someone part time - so he basically pimped me out to his new attorney - the new attorney pays my boss and I just keep getting the same paycheck from my current boss. First it was one day, then two days now I am working for this new attorney three days a week and only at my old job two days a week. Anyway that is just some background.
Well the lease is up at my old attorney place in July - and about a month ago - he decided that I will work for the new attorney full time starting in July because the VP was not getting drunk anymore and can handle all the work on their own without me - which I loved because I love working for this new attorney and not having to deal with the drunk VP at the old office. Well two weeks ago it was confirmed to me - so I started making my plans as far as treatment and vacation and such. Are you following me so far - I know this gets confusing.
So last Wednesday I come into work at the old attorneys office and notice that the VP was drunk - apparently he had been drunk all week so far - and my old boss told me that he was looking at new offices which would include me - which I found to be strange - then he said he thinks he will keep the schedule the same (so instead of going to the new attorneys office full time in July - I would continue with the schedule of working for the new attorney 3 days a week and the old attorney 2 days a week) which I was not happy about - I want to get away from the toxic work situation.
So I confronted the new attorney and he said he did not hear anything about this change and to talk to the old attorney - so on Friday I said down with the old attorney and said that I thought the full time deal was set in stone - and he precedes to tell me that nothing is set in stone - and I said maybe I should look for another job because I need stability and he said oh no no - you will have a job either way and not to worry - I told him I was worried and wanted to know what was going to happen in July and he said he could not tell me because he does not know himself yet.
Basically I am an insurance policy to him - if the VP gets drunk then I can pick up the workload. If the VP had never started to get drunk again - the work schedule and switch over would never of changed. So I told the old attorney - I cannot have a work schedule based on a drunk (not in those words of course) and he basically blew me off.
So to the point where I need advice - what should I do. The new attorney said he would take me full time - he rather have me full time then lose me - but I honestly do not think he has enough work for me full time and I feel like I am putting him in a bad position - also it might ruin the professional relationship the two attorneys have.
I really want to get out of the horrible situation at the first office and I really like working for the new attorney but I just do not know how to go about doing this. The new attorney suggested today that I say to the old attorney that I am going to start looking for something full time and then in about a month - just say the new attorney offered me full time so it does not look like I just left the old attorney for the new one.
I just do not know what to do - I have gotten myself in such a mess. If you have read this far - thank you and any advice or what you would do if you were in this crazy situation would be much appreciated.
5 comments:
Quit. Find something else and quit. If you have experience being a legal secretary, find another firm that is hiring. I'd get away from both attorneys.
No advice but I wanted to say that sucks. I think quitting would be a good option, but I understand if that isn't an option with the treatments coming up. It would be hard to do that and have to take time off with a new job and *when* (NOT if) you get pregnant, to have to take maternity leave with a brand new job would be tough too. I would try to find a way to go with the new attorney FT. Is there a possibility that he would have to cut you to PT if he doesn't have enough work to keep you busy?
Wow, well I definitely think you need to get away from the workplace where you have to deal with a drunk boss part of the time. It's just unhealthy and not fair to you. If it would make you feel better, I would do what the second lawyer suggested.
Remember- you are not making the other law firm looking bad, keeping an alcoholic on staff is.
I would say not having as much to do is less important than having a safe work enviornment!
Take the full timje offer from the new attorney! If he's offering, you should take him up on it and get out of the bad situation. GL!
get away from the drunk attorney! If the new guy will hire you then that is his problem if he doesn't have enough work for you. Start putting feelers out at other legal offices too.
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