to think I should have told my colleague where to stick his file?

[superbean]

I am a lawyer. Went back to work part time a year ago when my youngest went to school. I'd been off for 3 years.

Today in a meeting, a male colleague (who is about half as experienced as me, but who is senior in job "title" because he works full time) asked me to open a file for one of his matters. This is something that we do ourselves, or get a secretary to do so I was bit baffled that he asked me to do it for him. It doesn't take long to do, and I didn't want to be unhelpful, so I just said yes.

Afterwards though I was really annoyed. I thought he must either view me as his assistant, or maybe a secretary. Or is he just giving a task to a colleague. I know it's just a form to fill in but is it indicative of how he sees me generally?

Aibu to be pissed off that he asked me to do this? Or do I just have to suck it up because ultimately he is seen as more "senior" by the firm?

YANBU. I'm a lawyer as well. My firm does not see it as efficient use of my time if I open files. That is what I have a secretary for. Does he not have a secretary? If he asks you to do it again, I'd be telling him that you will pass it on to whoever is meant to open files. If it takes you one or two units to open a file, that's one or two units of chargeable time lost, which you could have spent doing something the firm will actually be able to bill for.

That said, I don't know how it works in your firm. I wouldn't have a clue how to open a file, I've never needed to know.

Having worked in law in a past life (not a solicitor though) I would say yanbu. I've seen people trying to make a point or put colleagues "in their place"
Rise above it, he'd probably love the confrontation.

This is something that we do ourselves, or get a secretary to do so I was bit baffled that he asked me to do it for him. Is this always the case? Because if it is, could you pass it to a secretary and get him/her to do it.

Thin end of the wedge if you ask me...

Xpost with Millie
All of what she said!!

There's one partner at our firm who treats all the female fee earners like this. Unsurprisingly, I lasted about a month in that seat!

Maybe he's just a pig.

Why didn't you just say great idea, one of the secretaries can do that? He should not have asked you but unfortunately you validated his request by agreeing to it.

Who would normally open the files?
Seems odd to me.

Mind you, I am an 'honorary' girl in my office (as my predecessor was female), and thus as well as being FD seem to be in charge of tea, coffee and toilet rolls.

in fairness it is a small owner managed company.

I remember being described as 'one of the generic bods in finance' in a previous job - which bridled a bit.

Why not ask him to open your next file, and see what happens.

Lawyer here too and he's definitely taking the piss. I'm with Millie in that I don't know how to open a file and raised eyebrows yesterday at work when I asked where the DX post went because after seven years working there I didn't know.

Make sure you have one for him to open next week