Sue your Bully...or Not?

Sue them! That’s typically the advice given by family and friends who hear you talk about the bullying and mistreatment you get at work. Does that sound familiar?

It’s heart-felt advice from people who love and want to protect you from harm.  But, it’s not the best first solution. 

New clients sometimes select me because hope legal analysis comes with the Ombuds work (for the record, I don’t give legal advice). Should I take legal action comes up in the mentoring session at some point.  It’s natural to want to be made whole. And, this country likes to litigate to do that.  (America is the 5th most litigious country in the world with the largest number of lawsuits.)

Let me tell you what I share with my clients.

If your intuition and logic are telling you to see a lawyer, see a lawyer.  Knowing your legal rights and potential legal actions is important. A good employment lawyer will tell you about the potential causes of action and a theory of the case.  A great employment lawyer will help you to evaluate the options available in terms of your goals and plans.  

Word to the wise.  Don’t be so fast to pick that ‘bulldog’ lawyer who you think is gonna rip the GC a new one.  Aggressive lawyering can backfire badly, leaving you with fewer options and bridges to mend.  Get a lawyer who is passionate about justice and realistic about outcomes.

Suing Sucks

I love a good lawyer show (hello LA Law, Private Practice, Suits and Reasonable Doubt). The drama. The intrigue. The designer suits (I lived for Jessica Pearson’s next outfit, amirite?) 

Truth is, being in a lawsuit sucks. Here’s why?

• There’s nothing glamorous about starting up a legal engine, that can’t be controlled, that can streamroll your life flat.  It’s super stressful to not have control over the legal process.
• Lawsuits are nose-bleed expensive. According to Forbes, the cost of a discrimination lawsuit ranges from a few hundred thousands to over 7 figures.  Who has that pocket change?
• They are messy. Your feelings swing like a pendulum from optimistic that justice will be done to devastated and depressed when the matter is still dragging on years later.

The average discrimination case settlement is $40,000k according to the EEOC. To quote Instagram, “You did all that work and what did it get you?’

Listen, I’m not telling you not to sue.  It’s your prerogative, but I wanted you to know about the dark side from an attorney's perspective.  My belief is that attorneys, like Ombuds, should want the best outcome.  Sometimes, that outcome looks different than litigation.  It might be mediation or arbitration. It might be a fat severance package.  Didn't I hear Beyonce say you're best revenge is your paper?

Walking away to heal and move on is an act of resistance and rebellion.

Want to talk about it privately?  Book a PowerSpeak visit soon.