Re: Lazy or Idiotic

[Infected Mushroom]

Please consider the following hypothetical:

You are employed at a law firm, fresh out of law school (a "trainee" if we're going by British terminology).

Your employers are a bunch of bullies and the hours are long but let's assume, that for the sake of this hypothetical, you aim to please. You need this job to "work" because if it doesn't, you are going to be absolutely destroyed in the social and financial sense in every single meaning of the word.

For whatever reason, you underperform. You're tired, the work is too challenging, you're overly stressed out, and you're overall extremely unhappy and whatever support you're getting, it's not enough. However, you aim to please.

Assuming that your company has a "sink or swim" mentality and that you can't just quit because it results in you being Black Balled, you've got 2 options for this hypothetical:

Option 1: Your boss says to you (and this represents what she truly believes):

"I'm getting the sense that you're not too overly enthusiastic about some of the work that you do. We do some really really important work here, clients depend on us. We need DEDICATED people. Now you're a smart, young woman. You made it out of law school. If you apply yourself, I have every confidence that you'll succeed. Its not a question of intelligence. I have every confidence in you."

(Translation... after processing all the corporate verbiage: "YOU DISLOYAL, LAZY, PIECE OF GARBAGE! ... APPLY YOURSELF YOU PIECE OF %$*&%($&%*(#$&*%$!" ... OR I'LL FIND MESELF ANOTHER SOLDIER GIRL!)

Option 2: Your boss says to you (and this represents what she truly believes):

"I admire your effort. However, don't worry if it's not all coming to you yet. There's a saying: everyone is different. Some people are sponges, and the practice of the law just comes to them, CLICK, just like that. They absorb everything like a sponge does water. For you it may be different. Everyone has their pace. Rest assured when you hit your threshold, I should hope that you're every bit as effective."

(Translation... after processing all the corporate verbiage: "YOU'RE A MORON. STOP BEING A MORON!" SMARTEN UP YOU PIECE OF %$*&%($&%*(#$&*%$! OR I'LL FIND MESELF ANOTHER SOLDIER GIRL!)

As I say, you aim to please. You absolutely need this job. So which perception of you (assuming you have to choose one), do you choose?

Would you rather be considered a moron or someone who is lazy/unmotivated (assuming the reality is that you're struggling with this new lifestyle and the challenges of the profession)?

Please explain and justify.

I think Option 1 is a bit better because at least my intelligence is not knocked. I hate it when my intelligence is attacked. That's just in line with my personality. Though of course, I perfectly understand that in this hypothetical, neither Option leads to anything good. I at least want to maintain a bit of dignity on the intellectual level.

[Heloin]

I quit the job with no notice after the boss talks to me.

[Dumb Ideologies]

Option 2 is preferable because it offers greater room for a conversation about the real reasons you are struggling and developing a plan that improves your performance.

I would rather deal with a patronising but broadly sympathetic assumption that is closer to the truth. It is also the less intentionally insulting of the two.

[Red Roja]

I am going to go with option 3.

[Infected Mushroom]

I am going to go with option 3.

of course I fully understand that this hypothetical presents a very depressing situation

[Albrenia]

Well, assuming all the stipulations in the scenario (i.e. I don't tell the boss to go soak his head in a used toilet), and that I must choose one, I guess I'd go for Lazy?

Someone can stop being Lazy, so if I somehow managed to up my game and meet expectations I'll just be that one young'un who became useful when they focused themselves.

Being Stupid is harder to shake, since it would require not simply showing competence but intelligence repeatedly to lose the reputation of being a dullard.

[New haven america]

Why should I consider the following hypothetical?

[The New California Republic]

Your boss says to you (and this represents what she truly believes):

"I'm getting the sense that you're not too overly enthusiastic about some of the work that you do. We do something really really important work here, clients depend on us. We need DEDICATED people. Now you're a smart, young woman. You made it out of law school. If you apply yourself, I have every confidence that you'll succeed. Its not a question of intelligence. I have every confidence in you."

Sue her for misgendering me.

Also I choose secret option 3: achieve class consciousness and lead a revolution to overthrow them all.

[Heloin]

Your boss says to you (and this represents what she truly believes):

"I'm getting the sense that you're not too overly enthusiastic about some of the work that you do. We do something really really important work here, clients depend on us. We need DEDICATED people. Now you're a smart, young woman. You made it out of law school. If you apply yourself, I have every confidence that you'll succeed. Its not a question of intelligence. I have every confidence in you."

Sue her for misgendering me.

Also I choose secret option 3: achieve class consciousness and lead a revolution to overthrow them all.

Solidarity forever
Solidarity forever
Solidarity forever
For the union makes us strong

[Infected Mushroom]

Well, assuming all the stipulations in the scenario (i.e. I don't tell the boss to go soak his head in a used toilet), and that I must choose one, I guess I'd go for Lazy?

Someone can stop being Lazy, so if I somehow managed to up my game and meet expectations I'll just be that one young'un who became useful when they focused themselves.

Being Stupid is harder to shake, since it would require not simply showing competence but intelligence repeatedly to lose the reputation of being a dullard.

I suppose this makes sense

[The Free Joy State]

Option 3: Quit immediately, because I refuse to cower by calling myself either "stupid" or "lazy" for anybody; write salacious thinly-disguised fiction about the boss from hell (a la The Devil Wears Prada). Deny it's based on fact, while winking at the camera.

Sue her for misgendering me.

Also I choose secret option 3: achieve class consciousness and lead a revolution to overthrow them all.

Solidarity forever
Solidarity forever
Solidarity forever
For the union makes us strong

All out together
All out as one
All out for victory
Till we've won
All out together
All out as one
All out for victory
All out till we've won.

[Gun Manufacturers]

Please consider the following hypothetical:

You are employed at a law firm, fresh out of law school (a "trainee" if we're going by British terminology).

Your employers are a bunch of bullies and the hours are long but let's assume, that for the sake of this hypothetical, you aim to please. You need this job to "work" because if it doesn't, you are going to be absolutely destroyed in the social and financial sense in every single meaning of the word.

For whatever reason, you underperform. You're tired, the work is too challenging, you're overly stressed out, and you're overall extremely unhappy and whatever support you're getting, it's not enough. However, you aim to please.

Assuming that your company has a "sink or swim" mentality and that you can't just quit because it results in you being Black Balled, you've got 2 options for this hypothetical:

Option 1: Your boss says to you (and this represents what she truly believes):

"I'm getting the sense that you're not too overly enthusiastic about some of the work that you do. We do something really really important work here, clients depend on us. We need DEDICATED people. Now you're a smart, young woman. You made it out of law school. If you apply yourself, I have every confidence that you'll succeed. Its not a question of intelligence. I have every confidence in you."

(Translation... after processing all the corporate verbiage: "YOU DISLOYAL, LAZY, PIECE OF GARBAGE! ... APPLY YOURSELF YOU PIECE OF %$*&%($&%*(#$&*%$!" ... OR I'LL FIND MESELF ANOTHER SOLDIER GIRL!)

Option 2: Your boss says to you (and this represents what she truly believes):

"I admire your effort. However, don't worry if it's not all coming to you yet. There's a saying: everyone is different. Some people are sponges, and the practice of the law just comes to them, CLICK, just like that. They absorb everything like a sponge does water. For you it may be different. Everyone has their pace. Rest assured when you hit your threshold, I should hope that you're every bit as effective."

(Translation... after processing all the corporate verbiage: "YOU'RE A MORON. STOP BEING A MORON!" SMARTEN UP YOU PIECE OF %$*&%($&%*(#$&*%$! OR I'LL FIND MESELF ANOTHER SOLDIER GIRL!)

As I say, you aim to please. You absolutely need this job. So which perception of you (assuming you have to choose one), do you choose?

Would you rather be considered a moron or someone who is lazy/unmotivated (assuming the reality is that you're struggling with this new lifestyle and the challenges of the profession)?

Please explain and justify.

I think Option 1 is a bit better because at least my intelligence is not knocked. I hate it when my intelligence is attacked. That's just in line with my personality. Though of course, I perfectly understand that in this hypothetical, neither Option leads to anything good. I at least want to maintain a bit of dignity on the intellectual level.

Explain that I am actually a man, and that I will redouble my efforts. Then, start my search for a new job where I will get support from a team oriented firm. Then, once I have said new job, tell my current boss, "thank you for the opportunity fresh out of law school, but I received an offer from another firm and will have to tender my 2 weeks notice".

I'm not about to burn a bridge.

[Ifreann]

Your boss says to you (and this represents what she truly believes):

"I'm getting the sense that you're not too overly enthusiastic about some of the work that you do. We do something really really important work here, clients depend on us. We need DEDICATED people. Now you're a smart, young woman. You made it out of law school. If you apply yourself, I have every confidence that you'll succeed. Its not a question of intelligence. I have every confidence in you."

Sue her for misgendering me.

Also I choose secret option 3: achieve class consciousness and lead a revolution to overthrow them all.

Burn the building down unless they return your red Swingline stapler.

[Ethel mermania]

After either talk, I smile say thank you, and start looking for another job the next day.

[The Free Joy State]

After either talk, I smile say thank you, and start looking for another job the next day.

I mean all jokes aside, looking for a new job is the sensible solution. Though, I do think it wouldn't be impractical to resign and try for a constructive dismissal tribunal -- due to the untenable working conditions and employers that are (to quote the OP):

a bunch of bullies

If an employer's intolerable behaviour forces the character to resign, then that could be a constructive dismissal claim. And, if the character's legal representative deems it an unwise course of action, at least they can find themselves a healthier environment to work in.

And, either way, I think writing that book -- purely fictional, of course (*wink*) -- wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

[Ethel mermania]

After either talk, I smile say thank you, and start looking for another job the next day.

I mean all jokes aside, looking for a new job is the sensible solution. Though, I do think it wouldn't be impractical to resign and try for a constructive dismissal tribunal -- due to the untenable working conditions and employers that are (to quote the OP):

a bunch of bullies

If an employer's intolerable behaviour forces the character to resign, then that could be a constructive dismissal claim.

And, either way, I think writing that book -- purely fictional, of course (*wink*) -- wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

After I am out, we trash them on social media

[The Free Joy State]

I mean all jokes aside, looking for a new job is the sensible solution. Though, I do think it wouldn't be impractical to resign and try for a constructive dismissal tribunal -- due to the untenable working conditions and employers that are (to quote the OP):

If an employer's intolerable behaviour forces the character to resign, then that could be a constructive dismissal claim.

And, either way, I think writing that book -- purely fictional, of course (*wink*) -- wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

After I am out, we trash them on social media

Don't forget to use a VPN.

[Geneviev]

Option 2. It's not wrong, and they're not insulting my character. Also, following this conversation, I would actually try to work harder.

[Infected Mushroom]

Option 2. It's not wrong, and they're not insulting my character. Also, following this conversation, I would actually try to work harder.

I see. You're such a good employee! =)

More power to you!

...

Btw I should hope no one ever has the misfortune of hearing both statements at a single job

[Iwassoclose]

as a newly minted lawyer, i save on filing a civil case

[Infected Mushroom]

Option 2 is preferable because it offers greater room for a conversation about the real reasons you are struggling and developing a plan that improves your performance.

I would rather deal with a patronising but broadly sympathetic assumption that is closer to the truth. It is also the less intentionally insulting of the two.

I see.

So you're saying, "if you're seen as stupid, then the company should think about helping you improve and learn despite the deficit" but "if you're seen as lazy, then your very loyalty to the company is put into question"?

is that right?

[The New California Republic]

Sue her for misgendering me.

Also I choose secret option 3: achieve class consciousness and lead a revolution to overthrow them all.

Burn the building down unless they return your red Swingline stapler.

Include its return in the lawsuit.

[Ethel mermania]

After I am out, we trash them on social media

Don't forget to use a VPN.

I am a lawyer, I am looking for an excuse to sue them, if they say anything hindering future income is a good one

[Albennia]

Option 1, but I am not a woman and in fact I probably am being lazy

[Infected Mushroom]

Option 1, but I am not a woman and in fact I probably am being lazy

Fair enough

Out of curiosity, would you consider a job in law irl?