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Miserable Law Firm Employee Writes Advice Columnist

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An unhappy law firm employee has written to the Washington Post’s employment law columnist to complain about her work environment. The writer says she has been offered a government job, but first must pass a background check that could take a couple months. In the meantime she is stuck in her present job.

“I am in an untenable situation at work,” she writes, citing “colleagues who hoard work and then question why my billable hours are not higher, one secretary in particular who does not talk to me, etc. The typical law firm freeze-out. …

“My partners (at work) are known in the industry as vindictive people who will stop at nothing to make one’s life miserable, especially if they sense a loss of loyalty/commitment, and especially toward women. I haven’t slept for months and am looking over my shoulder constantly in fear.”

The writer asks for coping strategies, and receives this advice from columnist Lily Garcia: “Enjoy the fact that you have found another job that (I assume) promises far greater fulfillment. Continue to do your work as well as you can under the circumstances and try not to internalize the poor treatment that you are receiving.”

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