Ask Ash: Effect of a life event

I have taken on a junior lawyer recently, who is very compliant and keen to impress but unfortunately just doesn’t seem to understand the complexities of certain cases and seems constantly to make silly errors in documents. I have tried to sit down and explain things on a one to one basis, but sometimes I get the impression that he is not grasping key issues and seems somewhat distracted.

I appreciate that I need to be able to give him time to settle into his role, but I am getting embarrassed in front of clients by his silly mistakes. I am also making more work for myself by scrutinising his work in more detail than I would for others.

He is a nice person and I understand that he recently had a close family bereavement, so I am conscious about approaching the matter with a degree of sensitivity.

I am pleased that you seem to have highlighted the need for a degree of sensitivity in this matter; and you seem to have picked up on what may be the core issue behind this person’s current lack of focus.

It is perhaps stating the obvious, by saying that a close bereavement can cause significant impact on a person’s reasoning and priorities in life – although in our working world we do, to a degree, expect people to “normalise” after such life events across a relatively short period of time.

On a personal level, as a junior lawyer I was expected to return to work within a couple of weeks of unexpectedly losing a parent; and there was little sympathy for any subsequent lack of focus or upset on my part, despite the tragic and unforeseen circumstances.

I therefore encourage you to ask the person in question whether he needs to take time out to be able to grieve properly, and emphasise that there is no shame or stigma associated with this.

It is important that we do recognise that personal tragedy is something we can all experience from time to time, and to varying degrees, and that time out from normal work pressures is sometimes required to help cope with such life events.

Having a period of time out and reflection will hopefully help him to refocus and recharge, as it seems that he is currently struggling to juggle work pressures and deal with the grief at the same time.

You may suggest that bereavement counselling could be an option too; and there are good sources of support from organisations such as Cruse. Assurance from you in his abilities is also key to help minimise any stigma he may have about not being able to cope at present.

It is important he knows that he has your support and understanding at this time to allow him to better manage the impact of this significant life event.

“Ash” is a solicitor who is willing to answer work-related queries from solicitors and other legal professionals, which can be put to them via the editor. 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 Education, Training & Qualifications team. Email legaleduc@lawscot.org.uk or phone 0131 226 7411 (select option 3).