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Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game. Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss. Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues. Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries. Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training. Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling. Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities. |
One of my Bosses said, "You sit there and do nothing, why can't you put notes in the lawyer's software?"
Feburary 2006 Dear Office-Politics, I started working at a law firm in September as a receptionist. I was told by the office manager that my primary job is answering the phones, greeting guests, opening mail, delivering it, and when returned to me to record it on our legal software for client charges. Twice in
the last week the office manager and the main lawyer has said to me, "why
can't you put notes in the lawyers software, you just sit there all day
and do nothing". No-win-situation Dear No-win-situation, My advice to you is to see their criticism as constructive, and try harder. They are giving you some good tips (put notes in the software). Your job description may be 'receptionist' but there's a lot more to being successful at it than just doing the routine tasks. Working in a law office is no walk in the park. Many of the legal secretaries (and receptionists), I know have as much on the ball, or more, than many lawyers. They are sharp, proactive thinkers who anticipate what their Boss is going to need and have the facts/files at their fingertips. So, if your instinct is to rush quickly to unload a task, stop yourself and THINK! What are they going to ask me for? How old is this file? How can I make sure they notice this new message? Could this new information be critical to a file they are working on? It can be very worthwhile, enjoyable and lucrative to work in the legal
field. Make the most of this opportunity. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Franke Franke James, MFA
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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