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Should I feel bad?
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Anonymous
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I work in a law firm in a practice group with one other associate and one partner. The other associate is very senior and I'm a mid-level. The work in the group is basically non-existent, and we're both worried about being fired. Because of the low work levels, we tend to do a decent amount of work for other practice groups.
The senior associate I work with gets into work on the early side (around 8 a.m.) and leaves VERY early in the day (anywhere between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., sometimes even earlier). She's been doing this for over a year. It's not an arranged flex schedule or anything -- she's full time, and has the same hours expectations as anyone else. Just a minute ago, a partner from another group stopped by her office after the associate had left for the day. The partner poked her head in my office (I'm next door) and asked me if I knew where the associate was. I said I thought that she'd gone home. The partner remarked that it seemed early, and asked if she normally left that early. I said that yes, she typically did (it was almost 4 p.m.). I said I thought she checked her blackberry frequently, so the partner might want to try that. The partner left, looking a little annoyed. I sorta feel bad that I didn't cover for the associate. OTOH, I also feel like it's BS that she sneaks out everyday so early (she even takes the stairs so as to avoid going through the reception and lobby area). And, I feel like it's not my job to lie for her. Honestly, part of me was happy that the partner noticed because frankly, if one of us is going to get let go, I'd like people to be aware of her actions. What would you have done? |
Anonymous
| Karma is a bitch. I would not have done that. |
Anonymous
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I would have done what you did.
Karma may be a bitch, but lying tends to be even worse. You were asked a direct question, you didn't offer the information up unasked for. |
aprilmayjune
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| Well it kinds sounds like you didn't have much of a choice.. they asked where she was.. what were you supposed to do? "she's in the bathroom?" If you had covered for her and they found out about it, you would have faced whatever disciplinary action they were handing out.. CYA, not theirs.. |
Anonymous
| Karma doesn't sign your pay check |
Anonymous
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You didn't lie. You didn't tattle. You answered questions simply and truthfully. Why should you cover for her?
Don't feel bad. And don't worry about Karma. |
Anonymous
| Karma is what is finally coming around to your coworker. You did the right thing and you didn't have much choice. Don't feel bad at all. |
Anonymous
| Spoke like a bunch of rats. |
Anonymous
| Wow, spoken like a true snake in the grass. Its none of your business where she is and you didn't know that she went home you just think she did. You should have answered honestly and said, "I don't know." Glad I don't work with you. Mind your own business next time. |
aprilmayjune
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But she said this person leaves early every day. I think at that point it's pretty fair to assume that she left early. She wasn't out to get her in trouble, she was just being honest. I don't know wouldn't have been an honest answer. I'm glad that I don't work with you! Someone who believes it's okay to do wrong and to expect that your coworkers who do things right will cover for you when you don't. |
Anonymous
First, I didn't say she'd gone home. The partner asked me if she'd left for the day and I said that I thought so. Then the partner followed up and asked if she normally left that early in the day, to which I replied yes, because I know for certain that she does. Second, I was minding my own business. It's not like I went to the partner and told her. I was sitting in my office and the partner came to me. Yes, I obviously could have said "I don't know." But then, had the partner asked "do you think she's gone for the day?" "does she normally leave early?" etc., what am I supposed to say? Sit there and keep answering "I don't know" like some obtuse moron? Make it obvious I'm trying to avoid giving a direct answer? |
Anonymous
| Mean. I would have said I didn't know where she was and wouldn't have given additional info. It's not your job to monitor people and frankly I would think, in the back of mind, that you were a brown nose if I was the senior person. |
Anonymous
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I go home early every day but work after, usually until late in the evening....do you know she is not doing this?
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Anonymous
How would you have not given additional information if the partner had asked you "does she normally leave this early?" OP said that she sits next door. If I were the partner, I think it'd be pretty clear that one associate were trying to cover for the other, in which case I'd just be annoyed at both of them. |
aprilmayjune
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I'm sure that the supervisors taking care of the situation will probably investigate possible scenerios such as this before taking such disciplinary action. It's really not the OP's job to know these things, all she did was give an honest answer to questions asked of her. |