How would you take this?

[CapeCodTenor]

I'm not sure on how to deal with this and I thought I'd ask my Dis friends for some advice.

Back in Sept. of 05 I was promoted to the position of paralegal clerk to work on two specific cases. Everything seemed to be going just fine with these cases. Now fast forward to about Feb. of this year. I was told that work was slowing down and that they didn't need 4 people working on the cases and that I was to turn all my work over to the remaing three people. So I turned over my work to the remaining three people and went to find work some else (which at times isn't easy). So I wound up working with this other parelegal on a big case. This is great, but at times it's slow, like now, and there's no work comming my way. Now here's where it gets interesting. This Friday is the last day of work for one of these three people that I turned my work over to. I thought that since one of the three is leaving they would bring me back onto the cases and I'd have steady work again...well they didn't. They hired a new paralegal and gave her the cases. I've worked on the cases since Sept. and instead of bringing me back onto the cases they hire someone else? I don't get it?! I got to thinking that it's due to the work that comes my way with this case I'm currently on. This may be true, but I can't help but feel like I got screwed and it's making me feel like I've done something wrong. Any ideas? I'd sure like some advice. thanks.

 

[Disney Doll]

Sounds like they are trying to give you the message that they don't want you working for them anymore.

Sorry, I don't mean to be blunt, but if they hired a new person when you were already there, had time available, and were familiar with the cases, it seems like they are trying to tell you something.

 

[lulugirl]

Sounds like they are trying to give you the message that they don't want you working for them anymore.

Sorry, I don't mean to be blunt, but if they hired a new person when you were already there, had time available, and were familiar with the cases, it seems like they are trying to tell you something.

I have to agree....sorry.

 

[Laurajean1014]

You did get screwed.

You may not lose your job, but they certainly sent out a message loud and clear. True up that resume of yours and see if there is something better out there for you. (Before they do it to you.)

Best of luck.

 

[Cthia]

Sounds like they are trying to give you a subtle message that you are not needed anymore.

Did you upset anyone? Is there anyone you can talk to about this, your boss, supervisor, etc.?

Good luck.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I thought about the possibility that they are trying to get rid of me, but unless enough attorney's don't like me and won't work with me (and then cease to be profitable) then I would think that I would still be safe...any attorney's or paralegals out there want to chime in?

Sounds like they are trying to give you a subtle message that you are not needed anymore.

Did you upset anyone? Is there anyone you can talk to about this, your boss, supervisor, etc.?

Good luck.

To my knowledge I haven't upset anyone. I've just always come in and done my work.

I just got done talking about this with the paralegal I've been working with and she told me that it's probably because they are the office gossip group. She told me that several paralegals were in a meeting about who should become the paralegal cordinator for the office, and that this one particular paralegal (one of the three) pretty much stabbed a co-worker in the back by what she had said in this meeting. She thinks that they didn't want me on the cases and somehow got me off. I figure that if I work hard enough and try and learn as much as possible and get enough attorney's on my side (I already have a good working relationship with several attorney's now) I think I'll be ok...but I'll play this out and see what happens.

 

[ChibiJones]

Is this litigation work? I've been a litigation paralegal for about 4 years now. It seems like every case will come up for trial or a hearing at the same time. Other times, I'm looking around for things to do. That's when I do things like box up old files. I don't sweat the slower periods anymore.

 

[Cindyluwho]

I would go to your boss and ask in the most polite way possible if there is a problem with your work or any improvements you can make. Explain to him/her the situation, you've been wondering why the job went to someone else and is there something you could do differently. It seems that they're giving you a message but you never know. And asking in a mature and responsible way will put you in a good light and show your level-headedness. As a business owner, I would appreciate the honesty & openess in an employee. But, also as a business owner, I would be upfront and hopefully not leave anyone in the dark as to their work performance.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Is this litigation work? I've been a litigation paralegal for about 4 years now. It seems like every case will come up for trial or a hearing at the same time. Other times, I'm looking around for things to do. That's when I do things like box up old files. I don't sweat the slower periods anymore.

This is litigation work, and it seems to have been slow for a while now, but the work does come in waves. I talked to an attorney from a different dept. today and he told me that there could be a million different reasons why someone could be taken off the case. One reason he threw out is that the person who was placed on the case is an actual paralegal where as I'm just a paralegal clerk. At this point I'm not worrying about anymore. If someone from HR or the office director hasn't come up to me by now I think I'm fine. All I can do from here out is work my rear off and show that I can do the work. Thanks for listening everyone.

 

[Cantw8]

Relax, it may have nothing to do with you, what kind of credentials does this new woman have? Maybe they felt that she brought more to the table. Don't sell yourself short yet until you have all the facts Isn't that the first rule of law? Gather all the facts first?