He's driving me CRAZY, but should I warn him?

[Star Gazer]

This isn't just a rant. There's a larger question at the end.

 

So....the newbie associate is driving me over the edge. For a little background: http://www.loveshack.org/forums/t117362/

 

Everything about this guy bugs me now. His voice, his shuffle, his nervous giggle, his 4 year-old-like handwriting (seriously). Everything! He has all of these weird quirks too. For example, my office shares a wall with the kitchen, and both doors are next to each other. Ten to fifteen times a day, he will go into the kitchen, open the fridge, take out a bottle of water, take a sip, put it back, and shuffle back to his office. He will come into my doorway and do this weird twisting maneuver to pop his back and then leave - all without saying a word.

 

He leaves everyday at 5 on the dot. Not typical attorney hours. All the while the partners keep walking into my office with more and more work that they don't trust him doing.

 

Here's the conundrum. I feel bad for the kid. He's simply way in over his head. He needs more guidance and hand-holding, and for a small firm, we just don't have that capability.

 

Anyway, we're moving physical office locations in a few months so that we have much more space. The partners are in the process of interviewing attorneys as well to join us. They haven't quite said it flat out, but it is my understanding that one of the attorneys they plan to hire is being picked up to REPLACE the newbie incompetent guy. I am 80% sure that come moving day, they're going to tell him, "Sorry, but you're not coming with us." They have the floorplan set out with everyone's name on it but his (i.e., where their new offices are located), and have taken everyone but him over to the new space to show it off, pick/fight over offices, etc. I can't imagine that he doesn't know something's not right in his gut. To top it off, he kinda had a major f-up yesterday.

 

Anywho. Newbie guy is getting married 3 weeks after this scheduled move. He moved to my town from another city (Tanny's neck of the woods, actually), and he wouldn't have moved here but-for this job. His fiance is a teacher, and she quit her job in their old city and is moving here to be with him because of this job. I feel HORRIBLE for him, but at the same time great relief because the new associates will greatly lighten my work load.

 

I don't want him to get fired right before the wedding - that would make for a horrible reception!! The thought of this makes me sick to my stomach.

 

Should I hint to him that he's in danger? Or keep quiet?

[agnf666]

Thats a horrible situation. If you hint to him something like that you might put your own job in danger. Maybe leaving a note with him or something just saying that your job is in danger... or something to that effect. Don't sign it or nothing. Just make it Anonymous.

[Star Gazer]

Thats a horrible situation. If you hint to him something like that you might put your own job in danger. Maybe leaving a note with him or something just saying that your job is in danger... or something to that effect. Don't sign it or nothing. Just make it Anonymous.

 

Oh how I wish I could. Our office is so small that he'd have to know it was me.

[tanbark813]

Anyway, we're moving physical office locations in a few months so that we have much more space. The partners are in the process of interviewing attorneys as well to join us. They haven't quite said it flat out, but it is my understanding that one of the attorneys they plan to hire is being picked up to REPLACE the newbie incompetent guy. I am 80% sure that come moving day, they're going to tell him, "Sorry, but you're not coming with us." They have the floorplan set out with everyone's name on it but his (i.e., where their new offices are located), and have taken everyone but him over to the new space to show it off, pick/fight over offices, etc. I can't imagine that he doesn't know something's not right in his gut.

 

Awww.. They should take him to a farm and set him loose in a field.

 

Should I hint to him that he's in danger? Or keep quiet?

 

Sucks for that guy but I wouldn't say a word if I were you. (I'd also totally play with my boobs if I were you.)

[Star Gazer]

Awww.. They should take him to a farm and set him loose in a field.

 

I just tinkled a little.

 

Sucks for that guy but I wouldn't say a word if I were you. (I'd also totally play with my boobs if I were you.)

 

You like, eh? Das niiiice.

 

---

 

Okay, but seriously... What do I say when he asks why I have ALL the work and he has NONE?

[agnf666]

Maybe they will give him 2 weeks notice and do it right. That does suck that it is going to happen before his wedding.

 

I mean this is a really hard one.

 

How long have you been there verses how long has he been there?

[Star Gazer]

Maybe they will give him 2 weeks notice and do it right. That does suck that it is going to happen before his wedding.

 

I mean this is a really hard one.

 

How long have you been there verses how long has he been there?

 

 

This is a brand new SMALL firm. I followed partners who left a very large national firm to start their own thing. I started last summer, but already had 3.5 years of experience. This kid started in January, BRAND NEW.

 

I'm not positive it's going to happen before we move, but I know they are looking to replace him.

[agnf666]

Damn... That's horrible. I mean if you tell him that could make things bad for you.

[tanbark813]

Okay, but seriously... What do I say when he asks why I have ALL the work and he has NONE?

 

Play dumb or blame it on the white man. Then scream "NO MEANS NO!" and mace him in the face.

[allina]

If the partners already made the decision there is nothing you can do and saying anything will only cause drama. But, if they're just thinking about it you could tell him in hopes that he will get it together.

 

If the firm is in SF can't his fiance still work where she did in case he is fired? That's only a 40 min commute.

[Trialbyfire]

If he asks about the work, tell him the partners gave it to you. If he continues asking, shrug and tell him to discuss it with the partners because you have no control over what they do.

[Star Gazer]

Play dumb or blame it on the white man. Then scream "NO MEANS NO!" and mace him in the face.

 

Aww, you sooooo crack me up!!

[Star Gazer]

If the firm is in SF can't his fiance still work where she did in case he is fired? That's only a 40 min commute.

 

No, the firm's not in SF. I don't want to give away my exact location, but the two locations are about 120 miles apart. She's completely resigned from her position and has moved here effective today.

[allina]

No, the firm's not in SF. I don't want to give away my exact location, but the two locations are about 120 miles apart. She's completely resigned from her position and has moved here effective today.

 

Makes sense, I'm not sure why but I assumed it was in SF

Harsh situation but is he so dense that he doesn't realize his poor performance? If he shapes up does he have a chance there?

[johan]

From what I read, you don't really know anything for sure. You're speculating. If you involve yourself, you'll just be meddling and undermining whatever decisions they have made without you around.

 

I have no sense of humor tonight, and I'm in no mood for back talk. Just keep your lip buttoned.

[burning 4 revenge]

From what I read, you don't really know anything for sure. You're speculating. If you involve yourself, you'll just be meddling and undermining whatever decisions they have made without you around.

 

I have no sense of humor tonight, and I'm in no mood for back talk. Just keep your lip buttoned.

someones teetering on cho sueng-hui mode again. i know how you feel

[alphamale]

someones teetering on cho sueng-hui mode again. i know how you feel

damn! i can never find my glock 9mm when i need it...

[Star Gazer]

Makes sense, I'm not sure why but I assumed it was in SF...

Harsh situation but is he so dense that he doesn't realize his poor performance? If he shapes up does he have a chance there?

You thought that because Tanny and I are close by, and he's "kinda" bay area.

 

I think that if he snapped and REALLY did some REALLY good work, went above-and-beyond, he might have a chance. Thing is, he doesn't have that litigator-spirit. He's mentioned that he's fearful of his job security several times, but he keeps getting worse and worse. In addition, you'd think that if your work product was crap that you'd put extra time and effort in to really improve. Well, his hours and effort have actually decreased. I don't know what his deal is, other than being stressed over wedding planning.

 

From what I read, you don't really know anything for sure. You're speculating. If you involve yourself, you'll just be meddling and undermining whatever decisions they have made without you around.

 

I know it sounds that way, but when they tell me to my face they want to hire X-number associates, which would leave just one attorney without an office, and he's the only associate who hasn't been shown the new office space or even been provided business cards yet, there's only one option...and I know it's not me.

 

I have no sense of humor tonight, and I'm in no mood for back talk. Just keep your lip buttoned.

 

LMAO - okay!

[Sheba]

Keep your lip buttoned? What sort of advice is that to give a lawyer?

 

And you are agreeing, Star Gazer?

 

You are a kind person, SG, to worry about this guy. However, he has clearly failed to do the requisite worrying for himself. Karma may have something bad in store for him, but he seems to have earned it.

[amerikajin]

What exactly would you say to him: "Company policy prohibits acting like Mr. Bean'?

[allina]

You thought that because Tanny and I are close by, and he's "kinda" bay area.

 

I think that if he snapped and REALLY did some REALLY good work, went above-and-beyond, he might have a chance. Thing is, he doesn't have that litigator-spirit. He's mentioned that he's fearful of his job security several times, but he keeps getting worse and worse. In addition, you'd think that if your work product was crap that you'd put extra time and effort in to really improve. Well, his hours and effort have actually decreased. I don't know what his deal is, other than being stressed over wedding planning.

 

 

 

 

No, most of assumption was because your profile says Nor Cal and you've spoken about SF before as if you were familiar with it. I know where Tan lives and it's a bit far.

 

Anyways, if the guy is aware of his poor performance but instead of giving it his all to improve is decreasing in his work quality you can't do much. If he really cared and was able to perform at his job why wouldn't he? Maybe letting him go is the right thing for now?

[Trialbyfire]

What exactly would you say to him: "Company policy prohibits acting like Mr. Bean'?

:lmao:

[sunshinegirl]

Hi Star Gazer,

 

I agree with the others who think you should button that lip. Play dumb. Shrug your shoulders if he asks, tell him to talk to the partners. It sucks, and this sounds incredibly selfish, but you need to think about your own position. Put yourself in the partners' shoes: how would you react if one of your associates prematurely spilled the beans to someone you intend to fire? What would you think of that associate?

 

The only thing I can think to do is approach a partner you trust to mention that you're starting to put two and two together re him getting fired, and just in case it would make any difference, you know he's getting married soon and his fiancee quit her job to move there w/ him.

 

Maybe that knowledge would move the partners to try to be "gentle" if/when they fire him - giving him a reference or referral or a small severance package or something.

 

Otherwise I think you should stay out of it.

[sb129]

Has he had any warnings? Surely they can't just fire him without letting him know re: his performance and what they would like him to do to improve it, isn't that illegal to fire someone out of the blue like that?

 

Forgive me if this has been answered in the other thread, I didn't read it sorry.

 

Stargazer, harsh but, its not really your problem.

 

If he ISN'T pulling his weight, and doesn't know that, his career will only flounder somewhere else further down the line.

Best he knows earlier and can take steps to change it for his career future.

 

Not up to you to tell him tho.

 

Good luck, awkward situation to be in. I am in one kinda like that myself. I am leaving soon so just going to keep it shut for harmonys sake.

Call me selfish but..

[Star Gazer]

UPDATE:

 

Well, the firm let him go. Apparently it was fairly mutual. The kid went in to the main partner and discussed how he felt like he wasn't getting enough training (what he wants), and that as a result he wasn't meeting their expectations (what the firm obviously wants), and suggested maybe the firm "phase him out" - let him go while providing him an opportunity to look elsewhere. His last day is Friday.

 

What a RELIEF.

 

And his replacement is actually a friend of the family - had no idea she was even interviewing. SO excited to have her start!! :D