Your thoughts.

[princesshannahsmom]

Okay, I started working for my employer 15 months ago. When I started, it was myself (legal secretary), a receptionist, and a legal assistant, and of course the attorney and the attorney's wife who does the bookeeping on weekends.

Well shortly after I started working the receptionist quit and the boss said we don't really need a receptionist, the two of you can split those duties. We both thought, thats fine, we will handle it the best we can. Well, we took on a HUGE case and that case took over both of our lives, with me stepping up as basically another legal assistant.

Fast forward to today. His legal assistant's last day was in September. His wife's mother has been critically ill since August, and just passed away about a month ago, so she hasn't been in at all. We haven't hired anyone new, so its just me, doing the job of the receptionist, the secretary, the legal assistant, his personal assistant (he truly can't do anything himself) and now, most of the bookeeping jobs as well.

I am NOT complaining, I love being busy, and I am grateful to have a job. However, I was due for my yearly raise in September and when the legal assistant left, she told boss what she thought I deserved as a raise since I was taking on all of the new responsibilities. He said he would think about it, and just a month ago, I finally got my raise (no back pay) to the tune of .50 an hour. I have to admit, I was completely offended.

All of this is notwithstanding the fact that he EXPECTS me to work late (he has since I started), sometimes as late as 10 at night. I hardly ever have time to take my lunch break, and I have had 5 days off in fifteen months (that was my vacation I took in May). Just last week, he also asked me to make sure the office is clean and the garbage is taken out twice a week (his daughter gets paid to do this, but she is busy) I haven't said anything, but I have to admit, I am struggling not to be really angry about it and when he gets snippy about something that hasn't been done quickly enough, I just want to snap.

I guess my question is, what would you do? Should I say something and risk making him mad? Should I look for another job (in this horrible economy)? Or should I just suck it up and be thankful I have a job?

Help.....I am at my wits end.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Don't do anything rash or hasty. Have a 1 year exit plan. Get all the skills you can by working in this "jack of all trades" office. Build up a good reputation. Then once you feel confident find another job that is more suitable for you. That is what I would do. I don't get mad, I get even. At the same time you building a good resume by saying you have done X, Y and Z, where as in a big office you would only be doing X and nothing but X.

 

[Sandy V.]

I'd be looking for a new job. Attorneys are always looking for qualified staff, so there is a market for your skills. And you sound woefully underpaid and unappreciated where you are, so it certainly couldn't hurt. Good luck!!

 

[kellyg403]

OP. I hate these kinds of situations.

My thoughts? Would you be happy if he had given you a bigger raise and that is the main issue..not the extended responsibilities? Or is it more of a situation where you have finally reached 'overwhelmed' and pretty much have no idea what he can do to make it better?

You are the only one who knows how he is but if it were me, we would be having a chat. A professional one..but a chat nonetheless. I would explain what is going on because technically it sounds like its you and him. If you jump ship he is ALONE. Does he not realize that?

So..the first part of the problem is figuring out EXACTLY what you want. Help, a raise and some days off. Then finding out what is negotiable and what is not. And I wouldn't hesitate to mention that you will be looking for another job if things are not going to change because not only is it insulting it is not healthy to have only 5 days a year off with no end in sight.

I always think in these situations there are two kinds of bosses..one who doesn't care about the employee and the ones who are absolutely clueless about what is going on around them.

Kelly

 

[diznygirl]

Of course you should be looking. It doesn't matter if the economy is horrible, someone might be looking for a dedicated, hard-worker like yourself.

Your job situation sounds challenging, to say the least. Do your best not to snap until you find something! Good luck!

 

[HM]

You must be a saint! I would not have been able to keep up your load for more than a couple weeks.

Your boss should either hire more people or pay you double what you currently get. He's using you. Since he no longer has other employees...and only has to pay your salary, he must be making a good profit at this point. I'm sure he loves that...

I'd definitely be looking around for other opportunities in your area. He'd be in a rough spot if you were to up and leave him at this point (being his only employee). It looks to me like you actually have some leverage. And you could actually approach him with whatever you feel is fair and see where that gets you, once you start actively searching.

Good luck!

 

[Ilivetogo]

This is EXACTLY why I got out of the "legal" secretary world after lots of years. What you're going through is ridiculous. I'd do something ... at the very least, begin looking to see if anyone else in the area is in need of a legal secretary. Also, if you get into a larger company, the pay and benefits typically gets better. Good luck!!!

 

[wdwfan16]

I would look for a new job.

 

[momof1princess]

this is exactly why i no longer work as a legal secretary. you are expected to do everything for NOTHING. OP, your current job sounds just like my last job. trust me, there are other jobs out there and if i were you, i'd start looking for one. you're being taken advantage of in a royal manner and it won't stop until you leave. when you do, tell your boss exactly why. i worked my last job for 4 years and after 3.5 years (and being promised a raise for a year), i got a measly .60 raise. no job is worth what you're putting up with. i've been there.

 

[Darcy03231]

OP. I hate these kinds of situations.

My thoughts? Would you be happy if he had given you a bigger raise and that is the main issue..not the extended responsibilities? Or is it more of a situation where you have finally reached 'overwhelmed' and pretty much have no idea what he can do to make it better?

You are the only one who knows how he is but if it were me, we would be having a chat. A professional one..but a chat nonetheless. I would explain what is going on because technically it sounds like its you and him. If you jump ship he is ALONE. Does he not realize that?

So..the first part of the problem is figuring out EXACTLY what you want. Help, a raise and some days off. Then finding out what is negotiable and what is not. And I wouldn't hesitate to mention that you will be looking for another job if things are not going to change because not only is it insulting it is not healthy to have only 5 days a year off with no end in sight.

I always think in these situations there are two kinds of bosses..one who doesn't care about the employee and the ones who are absolutely clueless about what is going on around them.

Kelly

This is what I'd do.

I work in a small office and am the paralegal/legal secretary/bookkeeper and I cover the receptionist when she is at lunch, out sick/vacation. My boss is one of the clueless ones. Unless I point something out he will never notice. While there are some times when I have to work late/weekends/come in early due to a heavy caseload, its definitely not all the time and I am compensated for the extra time. I will also say that I make much more than the average on a regular basis. He'd be lost without me and he knows it!

I'd schedule a time to meet with your boss when you know he can sit down and really listen to what you have to say. I would make sure I have a plan to address all of your isses and a figure in mind for compensation for any hours of overtime worked. Let him know that you are not willing to continue working crazy hours indefinitely and give him a specific date that you stop doing it. I've found from past experience that if you just do the work and don't say anything, they don't realize you're not happy with the situation.

Good luck!

 

[The Mayor]

Copy and past your post and email it to him...unless you would go in and state these complaints to him in person...but I would not sit and say/do nothing.

 

[jjarman]

I was a paralegal for 17 years so I know a little what you are talking about. I would definitely get that resume polished up. You can now put on there that you are a Legal Assistant/paralegal. At least in Dallas and in South Mississippi there was very little in the way of guidelines as to what a legal assistant was anyway. Get out of there. I have worked for attorneys like him and as long as he thinks he can get you to do it all he will let you do it.

 

[Sleepy]

I would also look for another job. It sounds like your boss is definitely taking advantage of you. A person leaves and you take over. Another leaves and you take that position too. He already knows you will accept any job he throws at you no matter how demanding and you will not say anything nor do you ask for a raise. Please don't expect him to be overly understanding when you confront him as he probably knows exactly what he is doing to you.

I had a job like that. After 5 years, I knew it would not get better after my "meeting" over the issue of duties vs pay. He was the rudest human being I have ever encountered. He came off as a King and I was his peasant servant who should have been thankful to be working for him. Did not take me long to leave. To make matters worse, the office gopher who designated himself assistant told me he would ask the boss if it would be ok for me to quit. I reminded him I was not asking permission. Apparently boss thought he was king, because he granted me permission to quit and sent the message through the gopher. He never even spoke to me when I left. I had been there 5 years and was his most senior worker. I guess he forgot who did all the physical work while everyone else sat in the office and talked to him. Sad thing was I really liked my job.

 

[princesshannahsmom]

Thank you all for your replies. I don't know how to do the individual quote thing, so I will just respond with one answer!

I guess the biggest thing is that he truly is clueless. We don't have a new legal secretary or receptionist because he wants me to let them know EXACTLY what he expects. Many late nights, but NO early mornings. Possibilities of having to work weekends. Having to travel as much as an hour and a half to drop off court filings and judges letters and so forth at least once a week. Having to run his personal errands, picking up dry cleaning, grocery shopping (for him at the office), taking animals to the vet and many, many other things. I can't find anyone that is willing to do all of that for $9 an hour. Seriously. Even in this economy.

He does pay overtime, but that is hardly the point. He doesn't usually come in to the office until noon or later. And then, he doesn't start working on things until 2 p.m. or later. Which means in order to meet a deadline, we have to stay until the job is done. It is incredibly frustrating. I told him one day a couple of weeks ago, several days in advance, that I absolutely could not work past 5:30 on that day. Instead of saying, okay, he said, in an incredibly child like tone, WHY NOT? Its one day, honestly, do I need to give you a reason. My hours are 8:00 to 5:00. I just looked at him and said my DD has a school function and she would really like her mother to be there for this one. So, instead of, Oh alrite, we will work to get everything done by 5:30, he says, can't your husband take her. I was furious.

This is really just the tip of the iceberg. I could go on and on.

And to respond to whether or not I could get a legal assisting job, yes, I could. I am a paralegal. But, when I was looking, I couldn't find a paralegal position, so I took a legal secretary's position, thinking what the heck, less work. Boy was I mistaken!

Thanks for letting me vent! And keep giving me advice, its nice to read what other people's thoughts are.

 

[Sleepy]

Having to run his personal errands, picking up dry cleaning, grocery shopping (for him at the office), taking animals to the vet and many, many other things. I can't find anyone that is willing to do all of that for $9 an hour. Seriously. Even in this economy.

I think it is time for a serious raise or a new job. He is definitely taking advantage of you and he knows it.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I'd be looking for another job.

 

[jjarman]

And to respond to whether or not I could get a legal assisting job, yes, I could. I am a paralegal. But, when I was looking, I couldn't find a paralegal position, so I took a legal secretary's position, thinking what the heck, less work. Boy was I mistaken!

Thanks for letting me vent! And keep giving me advice, its nice to read what other people's thoughts are.

Boy that is so true. I am not the best typist and that is why I never wanted to be a legal secretary. Although the lines are not definite between the two jobs. I really would start looking after the first of the year. Most law office jobs don't upon up until after Christmas bonuses. I don't know the size of the town where you live but most of the jobs I got were not through want ads but by my calling the firms myself.

 

[Darcy03231]

Time to start looking for another job. I also wouldn't be available to work late anymore. Sounds to me like he has a time management issue. Since you're the only left in the office I doubt he'll fire you. If your hours are 8-5 there's no reason why you have to give an explanation. I would stick to the vague "I made personal plans that can't be changed". If he misses some deadlines maybe he'll start getting things to you in time to get them done.

 

[surfergirl602]

you are soooo being used. And you are allowing yourself to be treated that way, because you say and do nothing about it. HUgs to you, and I would start seriously searching for another job. Or sit down and have a heart to heart with your boss.

 

[Chicago526]

Just because the economy sucks doesn't mean employers can take advantage of us, at least not to this extreme.

His overhead keeps droping by not having to pay the saleries of those that have quit, but he can't find the money to give you a raise for all of your added duties? He's ripping you off and he knows it.

Obviously you don't want to give him any ultimatiums without a back up plan, but in your shoes I'd march in there and tell him what I want to be paid (give a hard number, don't leave it up to him. You did that before and got 50 cents!) and if he can't or won't meet that, then give him two weeks notice. Then he'll find out real quick if he can find a qualfied, talented person to take on all of yoru duties for what he's paying you (my guess is no, not even in this economy).

So get a back up plan in place and let him know how valuable you are, and that you need to be paid accordingly. That's my 2 cents, at least.