Posted on 05/01/2006 by Dharmadee
Viewed: 930 times
I wanted to let everyone know what was going on at this point, courtesy of my "Bimbo Manager" (please refer to my earlier posting) at the "Devil's Advocate" law firm. by the way, if anyone wants an actual insider view of a law firm, the first 2/3's of the movie, "The Devil's Advocate" is pretty darn close. Sickening but true. Anyway-it is obvious to me that the managing attorneys at the firm have joined ranks. They might not "like" my Bimbo Manager, but they dilike the idea of an employee with a possible lawsuit even more. Consequently, they have obviously devised a game plan. This is quite horrible, in that the situaqtion involves a number of other employees. In the past month, the have fired four (4) people. The excuse given here is that they are "downsizing" due to economic reasons. This is pretty ridiculous, because this firm posted RECORD PROFITS for the past year. (Sounds a little like Exxon's profits and the high cost of gas, doesn't it?) I believe very strongly that this is a matter of the firm creating a premise that they are acting for economic reasons, so that when they finally make thier move to let ME go, I will not be able to show that I have been "targeted". This is SICK. I feel absolutely terrible, knowing that these other people have lost their jobs, so that the firm will not have a liability, and cannot be sued. This firm and the managing attorneys have separately and corporately LOST THEIR SOULS.
POST A COMMENTDharmadee(05/01/2006)
Guys, I need feedback for this one. The sweetest guy in the world, from the mailroom, was let go today. They could give him no reason, just the down-sizing thing. His co-workers are mystified, as the firm is gloating about their amazing profits, and they just took on several new associates. PLUS, they just hired someone else in his department 2 months ago. They did not fire HER, because that would defeat their purpose. It HAS to be a situation where the down-sizing is "random", at least to outside observation. My "Bimbo Manager" is avoiding me like the plague, as I am sure she has been told to back off, while they lay the groundwork for this. They are smart as hell, in their own evil way. I know it bizarre, and I also know it is true. When they let ME go, it will just be another "down-sizing". When they methodically hire new employees,in a few weeks, it will seem like a normal development phase. It is absolutely creepy, how slowly and deliberately they are working. What is important for everyone to realize is that this particular firm is working with the U.S. government, to formulate LABOR LAWS. This is about ALL of us.
just me(05/02/2006)
Rent Erin Brokivich. I'm not saying you could be her, but it might serve as inspiration to you. Personally I am too chicken and usually just walk away or remove myself from the situation, but that doesn't seem like you. You seem stronger.
C - -(05/02/2006)
Thanks for the update. Read you loud and clear. Wanted to let you know you are not alone out there. I have seen similar situations while working for a municipality. A whole "class" of workers was "let go" because of a few honest talking individuals. After enough time had past some were rehired. With outfits being able to hire and fire at will it would be difficult for anybody to get justice.
freedomringer(05/02/2006)
I have been there. The excuse was I no longer can afford to keep you and we really dont need your expertise anymore, blah blah yada yada fart! What comes around goes around! The sad thing is I was not there when my boss got her reward! Things will be difficult but hang in there, the truth will always come out! It may take years but those senior partners will reap what they sow, and it will be a bitter harvest.
Stupid Bosses(05/02/2006)
Dharmadee-I hope you aren't put in the position was put in. Document everything, and if possible record conversations (legally of course). Keep us updated and good luck.
Dharmadee(05/03/2006)
AAARGGGHHHHH!!!! The "Bimbo" is driving me and my co-workers crazy! We actually have a new administrator, as her "friend and protector" made a mutual decision with the company to leave(!) Yeah, I wonder what happened there??? Anyway, now we have a NEW adnministrator, that the old one brought around to meet us all. The "Bimbo" tried to act flirty with him, but he did not seem interested. (thank GOD!) So, now she is on a mission to prove that she is the best manager ever. She came to my desk, and tells me to work on my stack of "MISCELLANEOUS FILING". I tell her, I am "in the process of doing that right now". She says, "It is the same size as it was this morning." I explain to her that I inter-filed the paperwork that came in today, put it all in order, and then pulled out filing with the same number, in order to work on each one individually. Everything has to be sorted chronologically, then entered into a computer database, before putting into binders and filed on the shelves. She says, "I know, but I want you to work on THIS stack." and she pats the pile of "MISCELLANEOUS" filing that I just pulled the stuff OUT of to work on!!! IS she crazy???? How do I answer someone like this? Is she deliberately not understanding me or is she that stupid????? Of course she hovered right around my desk all day, and she decided to clean off every flat surface in the department. Since the work keeps coming in, by the hour, so that is impossible-but she apparently does not understand that filing legal documents does not mean sticking everything in a box. She is pathetic. God. I am so sick of her games.
C - -(05/03/2006)
She is deliberately misinterpreting everything you do. But since her "protector" is leaving, she may have to start over by making you look bad. Everytime she does so, keep track of her stupidiy. It may help you with the new boss. Find out if he has been indoctrinated or still has an open mind. Documenting is so tedious but if nothing else it keeps your mind on the right track.
Dharmadee(05/03/2006)
That is exactly what I think too, C--, although she really does seem to be awfully stupid. I am just getting so tired of it all. Even the guy that SHE hired says he is looking for another job. Another co-worker said today, "If she asks me again where I am going, I will say, I am going to mind my own business, and you should do the same." She must have emailed us all 20 times today, to "follow-up" on her constant instructions. She is a moron, but she treat us all like we are the idiots.
Dharmadee(05/08/2006)
Another quick update...there was "amanger's meeting" today, where the heads of all the departments were called together to meet the new administrator, and help him get up to speed. MY B.M. showed up in a super low cut top, and spent a lot of time leaning over so everyone could view her "assets". Pretty sickening. I hate that crap. I never played that game, I never wanted to. I am just praying that this guy is able to see past it...any hope, people? I honestly could play it, if I wanted to, but I am not that type, those games would make me hate myself. Plus, I guess I am enough of a feminist that I want to be recognized as a good worker, not just someone who seduced the boss. Am I stupid?
C - -(05/10/2006)
It's not in every ones nature to act like a s1ut. And I have seen some. They will retire rich and alone. Their boyfriends, husbands, partners dumped them long ago. Of course there is always the exception to the rule. Personally I can deal with a certain amount of male sexual harrassment a lot better than female ugliness, but I don't go out of my way to seek it.
SouthernProgrammer(05/10/2006)
Dharm: Just think of it this way, the only think your BM has to offer anyone is what she is displaying. Sooner or later, age will take it's toll and other managers will see that she has no real value. Unfortunately, I saw this happen at another job, someone was hired because of her beauty (and she was beautiful) and eventually she caught the eye of a very high VP and was promoted into a job she could not handle...and was fired. She then committed suicide.
Dharmadee(05/15/2006)
Well, guys-the NEW administrator officially pawed the Bimbo manger in front to the whole staff, rubbing her back while whispering in her ear to "see me in my office". This is UNBELIEVABLE. Of course, to celebrate, she has started a new harrassment campaign against the department, starting her micro-managing techniques again. Why does the administration keep allowing this to happen? We have now been told that we are going to be called into the new administrators office for a "discussion." You guys have kept me in this job so far-any suggestions?
SouthernProgrammer(05/16/2006)
If all you are saying is true (and I have no reason to believe otherwise), your Bimbo Manager is climbing to the top on her hands and knees and will do so until her looks give out. You can either stay there in fear, being the chew toy of this idiotic person or leave! Somewhere there has to be a job for you, I would look hard for one. The only other thing you can do is to try to get EVERYONE in the department to call in sick on the same day. This would send a silent message. Risky (very) but effective.
the confessor(05/16/2006)
Your office has only one goal-to perpetuate a power structure where illicit sex and dysfunctional management rule. These folks get a rush out of getting you to explain in detail how you file while complaining it isn't being done fast enough, making obvious sexual overtures to one another in front of you knowing how difficult it will be to really expose them ("...I was just asking her to come into my office to go over office productivity...") and so on. LEAVE. And maybe stay in touch with one or two trusted co-workers. Once someone like you leaves, their behaviors may escalate and they'll get in trouble. It happened in my case. Good luck!!
SouthenProgrammer(05/16/2006)
One thing to think about Dharm, you can leave and get a job on your skills. Your Bimbo Manager is forcing herself to submit to the advances of others in order to keep her job. Sooner or later it WILL catch up with her...hard.
Dharmadee(05/16/2006)
What I am telling you guys is as close to the truth as I can be, being involved in the situation as I am. It is sometimes hard for me to be objective, and I do try to give people the benefit of the doubt...but I have found out that this firm is a lot like the TV show "Boston Legal", which I cannot bear to watch. The lawyers that do not subscribe to the lack of ethics and morality quickly move on to other firms and practices. Very few marriages have survived here among either the lawyers and staff. One lawyer, that I liked very much at first, turns out to have had FIVE wives, most of which were originally secretaries. Almost every secretary has been divorced during their time here. It is just scary. And exactly as you guys have indicated, this firm seems to exist to prove that they can help to formulate government laws and policies, and then, that they can get away with violating the laws. It is a game to them. When I read between the lines of their corporate seminars, it is easy to see that they are really involved in helping other companies to do the same. What they REALLY love is the idea of "employment at will". They run with that like you would not believe, and they always make it work for the corporation.
Dharmadee(05/17/2006)
Heard today that what I suspected was true. The new "administrator" is a well-known "internal auditor" who has worked tirelessly for the last 30 years for various companies, to help them "downsize". God.
C - -(05/17/2006)
What would you like to do?.................What can you do?
C - -(05/17/2006)
O.K. Now does that mean he will "downsize" at the firm, or is the firm hiring him to downsize other companies? It may be small comfort to you at the moment, but a lot of firms that endured repeat downsizing did not recover. You on the other hand have very portable skills. Right now you can play wait and see or hide and seek.
Dharmadee(05/18/2006)
I sure appreciate that, C--! I am "waiting and seeing" at the moment,"hiding" is kind of hard, because they keep calling me out-but I am definitely seeking! Everyone there is on pins and needles at the moment. It is a sad way to live. I am trying to stretch this out until I get my degree, to be more marketable. After that, who knows?
Dharmadee(05/18/2006)
Wow, she is still at it...now I am supposed to email her when I leave for lunch, email her when I get back (in spite of the fact that I sign in and out at the front desk) and email her at the end of the say to give her my "status"-what I accomplished during the day. No one else is asked to do that. I am actually working harder than anyone else right now, as all of my co-workers feel safe and are kind of slacking off. They know what is happening, and now they are kind of avoiding me. It is scary.
C - -(05/18/2006)
Playing a game of nerves and who is going to blink first.-- Waiting for you to forget to notify her just once. If it does not bother you play along. Just think how irritated she must feel and needle her with your presence. But only if you are sure your mental health can take it and you can still concentrate on yout studies.
Dharmadee(05/19/2006)
Exactly, C--! It is too bad that this is what one of the largest law firms in the country has come down to. I guess it is all a game, after all. We'll see what happens, if I decide to get fully engaged. I'm sure I have at least 30 I.Q. points over her. Maybe I can step back and just observe it all as entertainment...
wheelsa(05/19/2006)
Wow, i've been reading your story for a while and I'm always amazed. i've had bad bosses but you've got me beat. I have an idea for your new email requirements. I would cc a few other people on the emails. People like her supervisor, the person you have to sign in with etc. You can say your just trying to be cover everyone. If anyone asks why you are sending them you can blame her. Also, I'd put a return reciept on the emails just to see if she reads them or not.
SouthernProgrammer(05/19/2006)
Dharmadee - Regarding Email, do you use Outlook for email? If so, you can compose a message, then BEFORE YOU SEND IT, look for a button that says OPTIONS on the top and you can CHOOSE THE TIME FOR THE MESSAGE TO BE SENT!!!! The option says "DO NOT DELIVER BEFORE [Select Date and Time], When you then click SEND it will sit in your outbox until it is time to be delivered. Try sending one to yourself as a test.... So basically, before you go to lunch, compose a I HAVE RETURNED email and select the time for it to be sent. You can also do the same for your status, etc.
Dharmadee(05/23/2006)
News. Bimbo Manager had a meeting with us yesterday, to tell us that the new administrator had scheduled our department (ONLY) to have an internal audit. We are supposed to "cooperate" with this outside company who is there to determine what we do every day and make a report. So, it begins. The new administrator did not even bother to talk to any of us, just accepted the B.M.'s "report". Well, I am going to the therapist again Thursday, I am thinking of having an all out breakdown. Maybe that is not so far from the truth, at this point.
SouthernProgrammer(05/23/2006)
Have fun, tell the auditor you spend half your time telling your BM where you are!
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