Bullying In the Work Place

Bullying Shouldn’t Be Ignored

After reading Bullying is a problem in the legal profession. How can the cycle be broken? By Anna Stolley Persky, in the ABA Journal, it got me thinking about my own experiences with bullying in the workplace.

Let me preface this: I attended an all-girl private high school. I look back on those years fondly. However, I am no stranger to bullying within the confines of an institution. Let’s just say I have tough skin and I am never afraid to speak up for myself or others who are victims of bullying, harassment, disrespect, or inappropriate forms of behavior. I’d like to think that the four years of an all-girl education were the beginning exposure that helped me fine-tune the tools necessary to read a person’s body language, behavior, and assess the person’s character. I have confidence in seeing past the facade a person portrays and can recognize when a hurt person is trying to hurt others.

With that said, I have experienced bullying in the workplace. At times, it has affected me mentally, emotionally, and physically. But the bullying did not break me. I am relieved to hear this topic coming up in discussion verbally and in print. I believe bullying in the workplace can be a detriment within law firms.

My Experience With Bullying In the Workplace

I have experienced bullying in the workplace from my employer and co-workers. To protect myself from any liability, I will not disclose any names of law firms or prior employers referenced in this article.

I experienced bullying at the very first law firm I worked at. My boss was verbally abusive to not only me but also my coworkers daily. Whether it was directly screaming at the Paralegal team or publicly humiliating our team in staff meetings, it took its toll on me both emotionally and mentally.

The second law firm I worked at was worse. Considering my boss was a long-time colleague and friend of a mutual employer, I thought I had escaped the prior job’s bullying. I thought I was safe. Sadly, I was verbally berated daily. One time, I had a trophy thrown in my general direction because he was so mad at a situation that had nothing to do with me. I just happened to be in his office giving him an update on cases.

Upon my departure from that firm, another member of his staff verbally assaulted me as I was giving her a final walk-through of cases she was going to be taking on, since I was leaving for another position. She proceeded to follow me into my boss’s office. She was completely unhinged. My boss had to physically remove her from the office. Later that day, when I arrived home, I was met with a FedEx delivery. Lo and behold, they were non-disclosure forms for me to sign in fear that I would sue him or his firm. Looking back, I probably should never have signed those forms. Not because I intended to sue, but because signing those forms made me feel like I deserved what happened to me. That’s the thing with any type of bullying: over time, it can make you start to question your reality, even question your worth.

The last firm I worked for before I became a contract Paralegal was debilitating to my health. I ended up being diagnosed with a chronic illness while working there. The toxicity among the employees. The moral. It was daily bullying not only to me but my coworkers as well. I spoke up constantly. But over time, I got tired. So did my body.

Law Firms, Do Better!

I understand a lot can get lost in between the day-to-day hustle and bustle of firm life. The legal field is one of the fastest-paced careers out there. But at the end of the day, we are all just human beings trying to make a ripple of change in the big sea of life.

If an employee comes to you with a concern or complaint about bullying, as an attorney, that should be taken with the utmost seriousness. I understand there aren’t enough hours in the day, BUT MAKE TIME! The morale of your firm is just as important, if not more important, than a Motion.

If you are an employee who is on the receiving end of bullying of any kind, SPEAK UP! I understand jobs are limited these days. I get it. Who would want to rock the boat? But I guarantee you, you are not the first, and you most certainly will not be the last. Bullying of any form is never acceptable and should never be justified.