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AIBU?

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Original poster

To want to leave my job in new law firm after 4 months?

15 replies

Sp3849 · 14/08/2023 20:37

I took a job as a legal secretary with no backguor knowledge in law. I was told.i would have full support and training. 4 months in have had no training. I get given things I have no idea of how to do. I spend my whole evenings and weekends dreading going back just in case I have made a mistake. I can't ask the solicitors as they are so rude and belittling, the lady incharge of training is so unapproachable and rude I gave up asking after the fourth time with no answers.There is one really lovely lady there another secretary who has helped me ALOT without her I wouldn't have managed the work. I was supposed to have some manual the trainer was creating to help with land reg applications etc. It hasn't materialised. They all choose to speak Welsh knowing I can't speak Welsh so it makes me feel so left out.

The solicitors are downright rude and will completely ignore me if I speak to them. I darent bother them. I have been reported for talking to much to the lady that helps me. I only ever speak to her to ask for help now I don't feel I can?! I asked for a meeting last week with one of my bosses ( there are 4) I outright asked her if they were happy with my performance so far. I explained I am struggling and I am finding It very challenging I just had your doing great! However I don't feel like it.
After being told to go away Friday by the solicitor I was working for I have realised I am just very different to them. I am not rude, I don't like to belittle people. I can't speak Welsh and I don't even feel like I can ask for help. Today I went in and I have resorted to not speaking to anybody. Shut myself away. I have noticed some people There do this. It's seems to be how you get through. Nobody can cut you off or ignore you then. I have my lunch in my car. I have tried so hard and work wise I do feel it's starting to click slowly but I just don't think it's the right job for me. Is this what law firms are like? Do I give it longer or just find something else. I am so disappointed as i have put everything into it.

OP posts:
KleineDracheKokosnuss · 14/08/2023 20:39

Don’t quit, but start looking for another job. If the culture is wrong for you, you shouldn’t stay. It’ll harm your health.

leave once you’ve secured another role

Lm4065 · 14/08/2023 20:45

You are not being unreasonable. It sounds horrible. I agree with pp, look for another job and quit when you find one.
Ive worked in law firms for the past 10 years and this sort of culture is not that uncommon unfortunately. I’ve had some horrible experiences but I am now at a firm I love. There are definitely some lovely firms out there so don’t be put off completely :)

CaramelMac · 14/08/2023 21:03

It sounds like it’s not the right company for you, I’d be looking for something else asap if I were you.

MsCactus · 14/08/2023 21:08

My DP is a lawyer and I've met all his colleagues - they're the loveliest people, very chatty, kind,.accomodating and friendly.

His last firm, however, was how yours sounds!

It's not the profession, it's the firm. If you like the work I'd look for the same job somewhere with a better culture

Amethys · 14/08/2023 21:20

That is awful. Particularly the constantly speaking Welsh around you, knowing you don’t speak it.

Should you leave? Yes, but when depends on how much you need the money and how quickly you can get another job.

Imaddictedtoicecream · 14/08/2023 21:32

You’ve stuck it out far longer than I would have in those circumstances! Resign once you’ve been offered a job somewhere else.

No, not every law firm is like that, I’d say only a minority is like that. The ones I’ve worked in have been full of supportive, friendly and kind people.

Original poster
Sp3849 · 22/08/2023 08:10

Well they laid me off Friday they say due to financial difficulty...... So currently desperately trying to find another job

OP posts:
howrudeforme · 22/08/2023 08:19

wow - they sound like professionals.

i have pal who’s a legal sec and she said one of the solicitors kept talking about her legal mind🤣🤣.

and we have to employ these fuckers to do legal admin ffs.

they sound like thick bastards who can’t run a business.

you will find something better OP.

BorisIsACuntWaffle · 22/08/2023 08:32

Sp3849 · 22/08/2023 08:10

Well they laid me off Friday they say due to financial difficulty...... So currently desperately trying to find another job

Good luck finding a new job. It will be better X X

RedHelenB · 22/08/2023 08:32

Amethys · 14/08/2023 21:20

That is awful. Particularly the constantly speaking Welsh around you, knowing you don’t speak it.

Should you leave? Yes, but when depends on how much you need the money and how quickly you can get another job.

Not if they are located in Wales.

ScarlettSunset · 22/08/2023 08:49

Good luck with getting a new role OP. I was once in a similar situation - I was supposed to support customers with using a bespoke system, but my manager refused to tell me how it worked so I couldn't help anyone.

I was also dropped after about 4 months of going through work hell. It was the best thing that could have happened. I took on temporary work doing whatever what about to tide me over while I looked for a permanent role. I found that new role after a couple of months and I stayed there for years.

Look at the experience you've just had as a learning one as it might help you to avoid bad employers in the future.

Oopsididitagaintomorrow · 22/08/2023 09:06

@Sp3849 I have worked in law firms for 20+ years. I'd say you've had a lucky escape being laid off tbh with you. If you enjoy the work join an agency, there are always roles for legal secretaries, and believe me not all forms are the like the one you've just worked in. I'm in a Welsh law firm and not everyone speaks Welsh x

asterdaisy · 22/08/2023 09:10

Hope you find another job soon.
I have worked for two law firms and never again. In both the lawyers talked really nicely to everyone on their level professionally and externally. Especially in the second firm the partner was known locally to be a lovely person. Except to those they employed who they obviously saw as their under,Ines and inferiors. I have never been spoken to like that in any other job. It was just awful.

Original poster
Sp3849 · 22/08/2023 09:17

I would also like to highlight before any Welsh nationalist jumps on me that I have nothing against Welsh speaking. I am Welsh. Born and raised in the valleys. Welsh is not really used as a first language at all. We relocated two years ago to a different part of Wales where Welsh is spoken alot more. Not by everybody and my children are in an English speaking school. The locals seem to prefer to speak Welsh. I have been trying to learn .I just wasn't brought up by a Welsh speaking family. Nor was I in a Welsh speaking community I can speak bits and bobs and ask basic questions but far from fluent and they speak so fast so I can't understand them.

OP posts:
Modup · 22/08/2023 09:25

YANBU I’m on my 3rd law firm, the working environment is really really hard. Good luck with your next job

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