How do I deal with a boss who treats me like a slave?

[Anonymous]

I am a paralegal and I work in a law firm for four lawyers. There are three secretaries total including myself. I love 3 out of my 4 bosses. The lawyer that I cannot stand is just the laziest person I have ever met in my life. He treats me like his own personal slave and makes me drive him to places so he doesn't have to use his own gas (he is extremely cheap, despite the fact that he is a multi millionaire). he makes ME clean out his office once a week, which is something none of the other lawyers ever ask of me. he makes me buy him office supplies with my own money and never reimburses me (again, because he is cheap.. I have to get reimbursed by the office petty cash but it should come directly from him himself because it is an expense for him and him only)... and everytime he leaves for Florida he is gone for weeks at a time and calls me from Florida to make sure his desk is clean for when he comes back and he dumps a shit ton of work on my desk to complete before he leaves and calls me every day to do stuff for him while he is away. I know he is my boss but the stuff he makes me do is all stuff that really should be taken care of by a lawyer or by him himself because it is his mess to clean up. I just feel like I am treated as a slave/cleaning lady/bitch. he doesn't ask this of anyone else. I have been working here for 7 years so I can't blame it on me being the new girl. It is incredibly frustrating. He also will throw in a laugh when he knows he's asking a lot of me to kind of lighten the mood I don't know if he thinks its cute but its not. It is so hard working for him I don't know what to do anymore. I've had it. Anyone have any advice on how to deal with this boss of mine?

[islands7]

Usually after 7 years, guys like this get replaced/fired. SO something is wrong with that firm. For some reason you don't mention other job applications. I'm sure asking to be transferred within the firm would go poorly for you w/o a parachute (other job offer or lottery winner).
If you stay under these conditions, it's very likely you will think either suicide or become an alcoholic = same thing with dead liver. So things get worse.

Consider what your life would be w/o this job/boss.
Include dance classes/parties, fun dates, hobbies, friends/family times.
Then figure what your bottom line income needs to be and start shopping on the QT. If lawyer jobs don't work out, think grocery stores, anything outside the box - you're not getting married to them, just getting free and back to normal.

Best lawyer jobs would come from the competition, someone nice that hates your boss. No clues? Pry some loose from your boss!

[ironeddie]

I don't know what the labour laws are where you are (U.S.?). But maybe start with a Google search for those as a starting point. I'm guessing that you don't have a defined "in writing" job description. Which can make working this out more difficult..

Do any of the other secretaries have the same problem? Or is it just you? Do the other lawyers see his treatment of you? Maybe you can talk to one of them for advice on dealing with this.

I know you don't want to hear this. But because of who you are dealing with, a lawyer, you may be fighting an uphill battle. I'm sure that he will know how to manipulate the system if he wants to. You may need to consider looking for another job.

Sorry

[springocelot]

I also think he likes you in a really twisted way. I would address this problem with the other lawyers to see how they would deal with it. If one of the other lawyers is the same rank as your boss (e.g. equity partner) or higher, then you may have more leverage to get him to stop it. Otherwise, it is something you will have to confront him about directly. You may even try convincing him to hire an "intern" for free or minimum wage to be his personal assistant so you won't have to do all those menial tasks.

If none of this works out, you may have to look for another job, especially if he was the one responsible for hiring you.

[redtide]

He's trying to be near you as much as possible. Oddly as it sounds, he likes you

[Asker]

he is 67 years old and a grandfather. so no.

[redtide]

doesn't matter, he can still like you, regardless. you can't put a stop sign on a mans feelings

[Asker]

ok I was looking for real serious answers on how to deal with it so thanks for your 2 cents...

[redtide]

You say, please stop treating me like this. I know you like me but please stop

You're a bitch

[Asker]

I'm not being a bitch lol I just wanted a serious answer that's all.

[redtide]

I gave you a serious answer originally. You refused to take it because you didn't like it.

And yes, you're being a bitch

[Asker]

sorry, I am not trying to be a bitch. very frustrated right now

[redtide]

I understand, but that's no reason to take it out on people that are just trying to help

[kheserthorpe]

How does he treat the other secretaries?

[Virgux]

you quit