Getting screwed - Are lawyers a necessary evil?

[Maplepie]

The whole point of the quote and its fame, usage, and brilliance is that it sums up the essence and purpose of the 2nd Amendment.

I will argue that he believed the military would need to arm the public giving them a selfdestruct button to prevent things like tyranny. Otherwise, how would yesteryear's public have access to maxims? Whether or not I believe this should be applied to present day is irrelevant. This entire thing is irrelevant, right now.

Greg. We agree on a fundamental aspect. Only differ on pedantic historical background. We can bring that up in PMs which I would love.

This is way off topic now. This was a metaphor I used for why I believe the current NA justice system breeds the necessary evil of high profile lawyers.

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[Duxnutz]

Thanks for the kind words folks. Going to use the advice of a good friend and see where that leads. I can't help but hope there's a special place in hell for narcissistic managers!

[HarveyBoulevard]

You may need my high profile, super expensive services one day Maplepie...Big Brother is watching The Great White North too!

[stogieluver]

Why in the world would you consider a lawyer an evil in your case? He can only help you. I truthfully don't understand the hatred the general public has for attorneys.

The only good lawyer is YOUR lawyer. All the rest are scum sucking rats.

[Maplepie]

You may need my high profile, super expensive services one day Maplepie...Big Brother is watching The Great White North too!

I've needed lawyers in the past...

No one needs more lawyers. But as long as Big Brother is a friend, come up to the GWN anyday and share some [expensively] legal Cubans! Every needs more friends!

Sent by the Enigma on BlackBerry.

[Dimmers]

Dux if you decide to see a lawyer, don't necessarily hold out for free advice. The old adage holds true - you get what you pay for. Paying a specialist $250-$350 for an hour of their time (wont be more than that, you don't need to go talk to top tier firms) could be invaluable for you at this point. And if you do, make sure you send the lawyer a brief history of the matter before the meeting (Ie dot points, keep as brief as possible), so you wont be wasting meeting time on background. Good luck!

[Balboa]

I've helped a friend who was being harassed by his boss.

In Quebec (Canada), we have a work relations government delegate that you can file a complaint with. The advantage is this is independent of any HR bull that the company is supposed to support.

I suggested he open a file with his delegate and within a week, his boss backed off and never bothered him again.

One thing to remember, the government will always overide any idoit that has a connection in the company.

Sorry I'm not familiar with any laws in Australia, but if do have something similar to what we have here in Quebec, you should check it out.

Feel free to PM me for more info Dux.

[Rushman]

What are the employment laws in Oz? Seek a lawyer or if not certainly consult the hr manager

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Fuzz]

Employment laws are pretty clear cut. In Adam's case, the manager is severely in the wrong. You cannot fire somebody without just cause. The only way they can do it without just cause is if her employment were casual, fixed term (ie the job was for a specific time period or task), or probationary (3-6 month period).

Threatening to terminate employment for one missed sales target is a form of workplace bullying. Most HR staff are told to give an employee 3 chances to improve their work, before taking disciplinary action (eg demotion, transfer or termination). The only way you can fire somebody outright with no notification is due to serious misconduct (eg theft, fraud, assault... urinating in office coffee pot...).

[perkinke]

Just to add a little, I'm not sure how it works in Oz, but part of proving a case like this in my state is to show that the wronged party worked through their organization's processes before going to the labor relations agency. Make sure to read your wife's employer's policy manual very carefully as a failed employment lawsuit is very expensive and damaging to your wife's career.

Honestly, I would advise your wife to find other work. Management will usually protect managers as a reflex (I am a manager now and have seen it happen) so working through either a lawsuit or HR may be more misery than it's worth. It appears to me that even if your wife prevails, either through HR or a government agency, the environment is going to remain toxic. If it means a pay cut to work in a better environment y'all just have decide how much being happy at the job is worth, what I've heard called "the Happiness Quotient."

[dicko]

Dux if you decide to see a lawyer, don't necessarily hold out for free advice. The old adage holds true - you get what you pay for. Paying a specialist $250-$350 for an hour of their time (wont be more than that, you don't need to go talk to top tier firms) could be invaluable for you at this point. And if you do, make sure you send the lawyer a brief history of the matter before the meeting (Ie dot points, keep as brief as possible), so you wont be wasting meeting time on background. Good luck!

This is good advice. I'm a lawyer and organised clients who provide notes, chronologies and supporting documents can shave hundreds or thousands off their bills.