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When someone chooses to complain about insignificant issues it’s usually a sign of deeper resentment.
I would suggest….
1. Examine your behaviour
Go back and try to recall anything that could have lead to a misunderstanding with this person.
Did you snap at them in frustration when you were busy & stressed?
Did you speak them in a commanding or negative manner?
Mistreat them in any way?
There’s a personality type that can be easily offended but will never bring up the issue directly with you. The fact that this person goes directly to your boss and NOT you tells me that they may be this unassertive type.
2. Clear the air first
Bring this issue out in the open and give them a chance to say their peace.
“Susan, I wanted to ask if I’ve done or said something to you to offend you in any way?”
Susan: Why would you say that?
“Well, my boss mentioned several issues that you’ve brought to them and you chose not to mention them to me first. So I thought I may have done something to make you feel as if you couldn’t discuss it with me directly.”
You want to know if she’s just going behind your back to “get back at you” for an offence you’re unaware of.
(Go to step 3)
3. Have a discussion with them
For example….
“Susan, my boss has brought several incidents to me that were an issue for you. (List the facts - writing in pencil, etc.)
I want you to know that I am open to hearing directly from you should you have a problem with me, my work or anything else that may come up.
I feel the best way for us to have a great working relationship is to deal openly and honestly with one another. We can deal with any problems between the two of us instead of involving my boss”
People with this personality type do not like conflict and tend to be unassertive, so they fear direct confrontation. Let her know it’s OK to come to you directly and it won’t damage your existing relationship.
If she not harbouring ill will towards you then an open and honest conversation should do the trick.
I appreciate your points, especially in a situation like this where obviously this assistant has some kind of connection with the boss. Otherwise, the complaints seem fairly minor in nature and were not repeated; only someone with a strong relationship with the Assistant would take the time to address the minor infractions so frequently.
Sometimes we can offend people, unitentionally of course, that's where self reflection is important. If it were me, I'd ask the assistant to lunch or if she'd like to grab a cup of coffee, to give you time away from the office and the space to have a real conversation about the situation. Reiterate the open line of communication between you and her, but without mentioning the boss. It's possible she could take offense to it because of her relationship with your boss, possibly making the situation more tense. Approach the assistant genuinely, if she agrees to a 'lunch date' or coffee, great; but if she doesn’t not the end of the world. Your approach and/or response to her behavior will come under more scrutiny than hers. Not exactly fair, but reality because of your position as an ADA, and hers as a support staff.
It's difficult to get into the mind of the assistant, you really dont know what's driving this animosity. However, what you do know is that maintaining your professionalism will work in your favor.
I will end with this, being professionally cordial in the workplace is the most effective way to handle situations that might put you at odds with a colleague or superior. At the end of the day, your efforts to avoid conflict and not creating a hostile work environment will be duly noted. Shifting attention to the assistant's behavior, leading to her superiors asking her to explain her antics. Sooner or later she will be apologizing to you.
Use a pen?
That's crazy to be complaining about those things. Crazier to me though that the partner feels this rises to the level to address with you. Yes, you could use a pen. But someone who complains about stuff that insignificant will just find something else to complain about.
From a legal assistant standpoint when you edit in pencil, the fluorescent lighting makes it very hard to read and you have to pick up the page to see the edits. Have you made any effort to get to know her or asked how her day is going or if you buy yourself food, ask if she would like anything? If she is older then take advantage of her knowledge and respect her abilities. If you think of her just as staff then that is where you went wrong. She COULD be your greatest ally if you treat her right and your greatest enemy if you don’t.
Is she a long-term employee? At my firm, I’ve noticed that support staff who have been with the firm for many years sometimes operate differently from newer staff. They can end up having significant influence and close relationships with management, which occasionally leads to informal or “sideways” reporting that wouldn’t be tolerated from others. I’ve seen situations where they take liberties that newer support staff typically wouldn’t, and management tends to give their concerns considerable weight. I would be extremely careful around her.
Chief
Mmhmm. Tread lightly around the juiced-in secretary. They don’t have the power to fire you technically, but they can ensure your tenure is short…
That is pretty unhinged. I’m a firm believer that attorneys should treat everyone in the office equally. But it’s just the facts that there’s a hierarchy. A legal assistant is too big for their britches complaining about nonsense like that.
But I would do nothing about it. You’re in a government office, so it’s probably an HR thing that your boss is required to address it.
Also, the person above with the pen comment made me literally crack up out loud 😂😂😂
Please do not set out to destroy someone’s livelihood. Remember what goes around comes around. Just try to get on her good side. People love to be needed. Ask her for help proofing, etc. Attorneys work as a team after all and she is part of that team so suck it up and get past her initial dislike. Make her like you. You can do it.
Chief
Kill support staff with kindness. Every single time. No matter their flaws or personality.
It seems there’s always at least one that’s drama, and you often learn too late. If they’re not being slighted, they’ll invent some offense. If they’ve decided they don’t like you, they have myriad ways to quietly sabotage you or make work more difficult than it needs to be.
Chief
In a work environment you are frequently held responsible for how your words/actions made someone feel, particularly if you weren’t doing so with a level of precision designed to be above reproach.
Ask for a new assistant.
Kinda sounds like she has a crush on you and is upset because you won't give her the attention she wants. That's the level of childish her behavior is at. Just my opinion.
Why are you making notes in pencil?
I would sit this assistant down.
1. Address the complaints. Advise you made pencil note on file to remind you of something pertinent to case so the opposing side could not see/read.
2. Ask if they have an issue working with you and suggest shifting her within the firm. (See how they respond).
3. The amount of time spend on petty complaints is not time you can bill for. Suggest if they have questions to please ask you directly.
4. I’ve got 25 yrs legal experience, are you hiring?
I must be missing something because I don't understand what you did wrong. Is your boss taking these complaints seriously? I would sit down with my boss and the legal assistant and talk about why she has a problem with what you did and if it is an issue, what you can do to prevent future happenings.
Get the person served!!
Take notes on everything your told in front of them, that way they can see you are writing down what they say and if or when something is said refer back to your notes.. write dates and times and who said it..
, secondly are you able to type in a word document instead of pencil or pen?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing at all.