Ask Ash

Dear Ash

Our boss seems to have her designated favourites in our department, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that she ensures that only those favoured by her are put forward for promotion or rewarded by bonuses. It is not a case of sour grapes on my part, but of fairness. It is apparent that our boss is willing to ignore any mistakes by her favourites, even when they cause financial loss to our department. For example, one of her favoured assistants recently lost us a client due to his ineptness and delay in dealing with the case, but he was not blamed or disciplined and instead our boss covered for him by saying that the client was difficult and impossible to work with anyway! The more difficult work also seems to land on my desk and it results in my working long hours, without much reward or recognition. I am beginning to feel that the only way to progress is to cosy up to the boss and become a favourite!

Ash replies:

You are clearly vexed by the current unfairness of the situation but in the circumstances, I would suggest you adopt the strategy of: “If you can’t beat them, join them!”

In order to progress in your current role, you will have to accept that your boss plays a vital role in your career development and progression. It is therefore important for you to learn to play by her rules, for now; and that may indeed mean being more co-operative and communicative with her. The fact that you are, by your own admission, getting the more difficult work would suggest that your boss is confident in your ability to deal with such work. This is a positive start and you now have to build upon this by demonstrating your personable skills.

Although it may be demoralising for you to witness other colleagues getting favoured treatment, they may be envious of your position and in particular you being trusted to deal with more difficult matters. Your boss may indeed be covering for the mistakes of others, but this may be because she is simply attempting to demonstrate her support for her team in general.

I would suggest that you look to build up a more effective relationship with your boss by setting up regular catch-up meetings, confirming your willingness to develop your role, and by seeking confirmation of how you can work towards the rewards which others seem to have available. It may be that your boss has simply begun to take you for granted and has just expected you to get on with things.

You need to be more visible and to demonstrate your self worth in the team, and that does not have to be at the cost of losing your dignity. Quite the opposite, actually: the more that you promote yourself, the more you will hopefully convince yourself of your worth too!

Send your queries to Ash

“Ash” is a solicitor who is willing to answer work-related queries from solicitors and trainees, which can be put to her via the editor: peter@connectcommunications.co.uk, or mail to Studio 2001, Mile End, Paisley PA1 1JS. Confidence will be respected and any advice published will be anonymised.

Please note that letters to Ash are not received at the Law Society of Scotland. The Society offers a support service for trainees through its Registrar’s Department. For one-to-one advice, contact Katie Wood, manager in the Registrar’s Department on 0131 476 8105/8200, or katiewood@lawscot.org.uk