Ugh, Work Issue!

[summerrluvv]

I work in a Law Office. I asked my boss if I could have the summer off to be home with my son, he said yes. They weren't thrilled with the idea, but in any event they still approved it. Fast forward to this past Saturday. They called and asked if I could work some hours this week because the girl handling my work is overwhelmed. Since DS is in MI still I agreed to work Mon., Tues. and half day today (he is coming home tonight).

So today I'm at work, I look at the copy machine and see a letter sitting on it addressed to one of our clients who had a Will done months ago before I left and had problems with the Will not naming a specific Trust. The second paragraph of this letter I see says " While it is not an excuse, one of our secretaries decided to take the summer off because of personal problems". What?! Why are they using ME as their excuse?!

Now the issue with their Will was nothing I could help with, it was an attorney client matter. I don't deal with trusts, I just type the Will as dictated to me by the Attorney. The clients came in and met with the attorney before I left and apparently the problem wasn't resolved and they called a few times to make appointments before I left, which were ultimately rescheduled because the attorneys didn't want to deal with the matter. The issue was completely out of my hands since I'm not an attorney. Whatever happened after I left wasn't my issue, and If I had been there, it still wouldn't have been my issue because they should have allowed the people to come in to take care of the problem!

I'm so mad that they are using me as an excuse as to why they haven't gotten these people's Will fixed!! Of course the letter goes on to provide other excuses with other people being out of the office as well, but geez..what a very unprofessional way of conducting business! Blaming everyone else but themselves!

I was so tempted to say something today, but I didn't want to cause conflict because I am going back there in a few weeks. Would you have said something?

 

[Maleficent13]

I think, and this is just me, that I'd be doing the that I had a job that gave me the whole summer off just because I asked for it and that would outweigh any other issue I might have with them.

 

[Divamomto3]

I don't think you should say anything. I think it's unusual for a place to give anyone the summer off. At least you know they can't function well without you.

 

[summerrluvv]

I think, and this is just me, that I'd be doing the that I had a job that gave me the whole summer off just because I asked for it and that would outweigh any other issue I might have with them.

Well, I don't think that because they gave me the Summer off (without pay I should add), that it gives them the right to use me as an excuse for their lack of courtesy and professionalism toward their clients.

 

[CEDmom]

When you have a cushy work situation it's not wise to rock the boat. Just let it go.

 

[Michie]

I think, and this is just me, that I'd be doing the that I had a job that gave me the whole summer off just because I asked for it and that would outweigh any other issue I might have with them.

Amen, sister!!

 

[Maleficent13]

I would bet they do that even when you are there, sitting at your desk, doing your work. It happens all the time, everywhere. You just happened to see it this time.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Well, I don't think that because they gave me the Summer off (without pay I should add), that it gives them the right to use me as an excuse for their lack of courtesy and professionalism toward their clients.

You're right, but the client isn't going to fire you, they're going to fire your firm, regardless of the excuse they use.

 

[summerrluvv]

When you have a cushy work situation it's not wise to rock the boat. Just let it go.

LOL trust me..it's not cushy at all. I work for miserable nasty people LOL. I'm not going to say anything, but I just wondered if anyone else would. Even the other girls at work were dumbfounded about what they wrote. All of us hate where we work, but it's a job! I hope my boss doesn't read the DIS!

 

[Michie]

LOL trust me..it's not cushy at all. I work for miserable nasty people LOL. I'm not going to say anything, but I just wondered if anyone else would. Even the other girls at work were dumbfounded about what they wrote. All of us hate where we work, but it's a job! I hope my boss doesn't read the DIS!

Me too!!! If one of the girls, sorry, young ladies that work the front office for me, wrote that, after me giving them the summer off ( which I did, and was happy to!) I would can her can!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I think, and this is just me, that I'd be doing the that I had a job that gave me the whole summer off just because I asked for it and that would outweigh any other issue I might have with them.

Ding, ding, ding!!!

And around here the ones who get blamed are: the ones who have recently left, the ones who are out on any type of extended leave and the ones who are new.

 

[summerrluvv]

Me too!!! If one of the girls, sorry, young ladies that work the front office for me, wrote that, after me giving them the summer off ( which I did, and was happy to!) I would can her can!

I'm not quite sure of the legality of firing someone based on what they post on the DIS, but I don't think they would be too thrilled if they read that I don't like them Well actually I shouldn't say "them". I like my main boss and he loves me. It's the other one I can't tolerate

 

[kdudley3]

Been there...done that.

Attorneys never blame themselves. It's always someone else's fault.

The problem is, they take too many clients (for the $) and don't have enough time to do the job. But we're supposed to handle the clients when they get ticked off.

 

[summerrluvv]

Been there...done that.

Attorneys never blame themselves. It's always someone else's fault.

The problem is, they take too many clients (for the $) and don't have enough time to do the job. But we're supposed to handle the clients when they get ticked off.

Ding Ding! They take on toooo much!! If it was stuff I knew how to do, I would be thrilled to help the clients, but it's not my expertise unfortunately.

Okay I must go pick DS up from the airport...Thanks for all of the replies!! They are greatly appreciated!!

 

[Michie]

Ding, ding, ding!!!

And around here the ones who get blamed are: the ones who have recently left, the ones who are out on any type of extended leave and the ones who are new.

I am fixing to leave, I am sure I will be blamed for something!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I am fixing to leave, I am sure I will be blamed for something!

Michie, you KNOW it's ALWAYS your fault.

As for terminating a person for what they write on the DIS...in most states employers do not need a reason to terminate an employee.

 

[mking624]

I hate when people blameshift like that. My manager does that..."we haven't been able to get to that...we had an employee JUST walk out on us." Yeah, the employee quit back in May.

I think it was very generous for them to give you the summer off. That said, it was extremely unprofessional of them to use you as their excuse. True, the client might fire the office, not you, BUT I'm wondering if there will be any consequences directed at you if the client decided to fire the office? What I also don't like is the fact they referred to you being with your son as a "personal problem." It's one thing to say "she was gone for personal reasons" but incredibly inappropriate to say "personal problems." I would thank them profusely for giving you the time off, but would also let them know that you would appreciate not having clients informed of your situation.

 

[Michie]

Michie, you KNOW it's ALWAYS your fault.

As for terminating a person for what they write on the DIS...in most states employers do not need a reason to terminate an employee.

I am a work at will state. My employment contracts state that I can terminate any said employee for any or no reason at all without notice, blah,blah,blah,

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I think, and this is just me, that I'd be doing the that I had a job that gave me the whole summer off just because I asked for it and that would outweigh any other issue I might have with them.

Heh, for real. That's pretty sweet. Let it go.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I agree with Malficient. My employment, as nice as they are, would laugh at me if I made the request for the summer off. Also, I don't think they were saying that you could have done the specific job that was delayed in being done, I think they were saying b/c they were down people, there was more work as a whole which made them behind. And honestly, who cares? I have been behind b/c of people vacationing, leaving, etc. and if it's true, then I tell the truth about it. Obviously they are behind b/c they had to ask you to come in to do some work b/c someone, who was doing your work in addition to their own, was behind. Who did you think was going to do your work while you were off, the work fairy?