STATEMENT AND EMAIL FROM REBECCA LANDRITH
Since the Firm did an Interview with the Media then it makes sense to correct the misleading information provided to the media which was derogatory to me. (You have two hyperlinks to this interview which were in the Business Journal.)
Your news article makes mention of a letter I sent the firm 2 weeks prior to them “eliminating” the position of Receptionist. Below is that letter.
Chrometa: Turning Time Into Billable Value For Modern Lawyers
Adoption of Chrometa represents more than a technological upgrade; it reflects a professional philosophy that values accuracy, transparency, and efficiency.
The statements and commentary made by the Firm through Tom Flaherty in an Interview with the Washington Business Journal are totally misleading and bogus.
From: Landrith, Rebecca
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 8:28 AM
To: Harkins, Joseph P.
Subject: Firm Policy For Front Desk Procedures
Dear Joe,
I’m very sorry to bother you about what should be a non-issue. But the need to visit the restroom is something that no one can ignore for very long, and the firm’s policy about when I am allowed to leave my desk in order to answer nature’s call seems to change like the weather. It used to be that the front desk had to be covered at all times. Then, for a short time, it was okay for me to transfer the phones within the office. Later, I was allowed to do so only when we were not expecting any visitors. Now, I am told, I must transfer all calls to the DC office. I am as loyal as anyone in our office. I come in early, stay late, and am proud to be working for a firm as professional as Littler Mendelson. Because of this, I am extremely flexible in my availability. But I’m in a different situation than others in the office because I sit at the front desk. Unlike other employees who can visit the restroom whenever they like, I must first always find someone to replace me. That is not as easy as it might seem, especially when things gets busy. That was definitely was the case yesterday, when I could get no one to cover for me. According to my phone log, I tried to find somebody to answer the phones six times before I finally succeeded. This included calls that began at 9:31 a.m. when I telephoned called Caroline, who didn’t answer. Next, at 9:46 a.m., I called Tracy; then Paige, at 9:47 a.m.; Tracy again at 10 a.m.; Elaine at 10:05 a.m.; and Elaine againat 10:13 a.m. But no one picked up. In frustration, I finally sent an email to all the secretaries in the Tysons Corner office asking if one of them would please fill in for me so that I could go to the bathroom. I was in pain and crying, but because of Tracy’s instructions not to leave the reception area unattended I absolutely needed to wait for someone to relieve me. After waiting at least 45 minutes, Tracy happened by my desk and agreed to cover for me. Having to wait such a long time just to go to the bathroom was bad enough. But adding insult to injury was Yvonne Roper’s admonishment of me for sending out an email request in the first place. Yvonne claimed that she already told me “several times” that if I needed to go to the bathroom then to simply transfer calls to the DC office. In fact, this was the very first time Yvonne mentioned this. Further, she told me in a loud, condescending voice that I was going to “just go,” implying that my need to visit the restroom was perhaps less than legitimate. As an extremely responsible and proud Littler employee, I was totally confused by Yvonne’s response. What am I supposed to do in such a situation? Wouldn’t I have been reprimanded for leaving the front desk? Was I simply supposed to ignore Mother Nature? This seemed like a classic Catch 22. It made absolutely no sense.
Why Law Firms Are Moving Beyond The Billable Hour
Explore 5 expert-backed reasons law firms are rethinking the billable hour and how legal billing software is leading the way.
In another matter that same hectic day Tracy told me we were expecting a court reporter and a videographer, and that the court reporter had already just arrived. So, about mid morning, a man toting a projector and other equipment appeared in the reception area and announced his planned participation in a 10 a.m. deposition. I asked him to wait, and went to fetch Tracy, explaining to her that because of the equipment I assumed the man to be the videographer. When Tracy and I returned to the reception area, we found out that our visitor had already helped himself to coffee without permission, entered the conference room and simply made himself at home there. He apparently falsely told Yvonne that I described him as a “court reporter. A short while later, after I returned from my long delayed bathroom visit, Lindsay confronted me in the hallway, wagged her finger angrily in my face, and expressed annoyance for allowing the man with the equipment – who turned out to be opposing counsel – to enter the conference room without giving me a chance to explain to her that he did so without permission when my back was turned. As if to underscore her discontent, she disrespectfully tossed some wadded up paper my way later that day, while mouthing the words, “Hey Rebecca, throw this away for me.”
Tuesday was especially hectic, and the office seemed unduly tense. This, of course, can easily occur in pressure-filled situations. Despite the hullabaloo over this seemingly trivial matter, I used the bathroom only once yesterday. But, quite frankly, I am afraid to ask anyone for back up because of the reluctance, annoyance and hesitation that evidently continues. Establishing clear guidelines that govern these seemingly small but important points would be most appreciated, and greatly add to both efficiency and harmony in the office while avoiding further divisiveness. This would be in everyone’s interest, and enable the firm to function at maximum efficiency. Because company policy on this seemingly simple matter seems to change like the weather, I find myself apprehensive about coming to the office. I kindly ask that you to provide clarification and guidance on this matter so that there can be no further unnecessary confusion or misinterpretation.
Respectfully Yours,
Rebecca Landrith
Former receptionist sues Littler Mendelson over bathroom breaks [Washington Business Journal]