Ethics
Ethics Tip 3: Do Lawyers Owe an Ethical Obligation Not to Ill-treat The Colleagues Who Work Alongside Them?
Picture this. Your superior is a senior lawyer who has impressive legal skills and a lucrative book of business. However, he has a bad temper. When something goes wrong, he throws things onto the floor, and screams and shouts at you and your colleagues. You have heard, through the office chatter, that he once threw a book which hit a colleague.
What are your thoughts? You may consider it morally wrong to abuse anyone. You may consider that this sort of behaviour and working environment will not enhance the firm's work or reputation. Is this something you have to accept as a junior employee? Is this merely something that is frowned upon, as opposed to an ethical breach? And if you raise this matter, who will you raise it to? The managing partner or some other senior person in the firm? Will that person side with your superior or protect him?
Your reaction: You know that rule 8 of the Legal Profession (Professional Conduct) Rules 2015 requires a lawyer to behave towards all persons in a courteous and professional manner. A lawyer's conduct must be consistent with his or her status as an officer of the court and a member of an honoourable profession. You also know that where the conduct is serious and there are aggravating factors, disciplinary action can be taken and the lawyer may even be struck off (The Law Society of Singapore v Seow Theng Beng Samuel [2022] 4 SLR 467).
You may want to take a step back to reflect. Why is your superior behaving this way? What challenges is he or she facing, and is he or she reacting to those challenges? Is this a behaviour he or she learnt from his or her own superiors? Also examine yourself. Were there shortcomings in your work and, in the midst of his or her anger, was he or she pointing out areas where you could improve?
You need not tolerate constant bad behaviour. Learning and working can be done in a more mutually respectful environment. You may want to consider approaching you supervisor when you find them in a happier mood, such as during a social get together. Or you may write a respectful email to them expressing that you want to be treated better. If you think it will help talking to another senior person, then speak to them calmly expressing your desire to be treated better.
Remember, you need not be unhappy. Your well-being is important. If you need to talk to a professional, look out for counselling services which some organisations offer free of charge or at a low cost.
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