I've posted before about CoWorker (CW).
Background: She's significantly older, set in her ways, and good friends with Big Boss (BB). I've mostly complained about her dumping assignments/work on me, her being my supposed mentor, only I'm not getting any mentoring/getting one set of instructions from her only to have her claim she never said that/I misunderstood her,etc. She's also in charge of supervising the support staff, all of whom dislike her as their boss. The woman is good as a lawyer, but not good at giving directions, and disagreement/questioning of her self inflated authoreteh- such disagreement results in her being a total bitch towards the offending party. This isn't just me, this is the opinion of 6 other people.
While I was out of the office getting married, CW had a health crisis. From what I understand, she collapsed (either at work or at home) and had to be rushed to the hospital, where she stayed for several days. She's home on BB-imposed medical leave until 4/1. I mentioned she's older- she's 64, nearing retirement age, but she's the type who will die in the desk chair if she can. Therein lies the interesting part of the situation. Chatting casually with members of the support staff (whom she supervises), I've learned that she will probably (98% certainty) not be supervising them anymore. She may be given a lighter work load, and moved to part time (not that I'm sure that's even possible). All in the name of decreasing stress on her and her health. My Jedi senses tell me more work will be piled on me as a result, in terms of cases to handle, documents to look at, etc. Unconfirmed rumors have BB and her boss, Director, discussing having a conversation with CW about gracefully retiring. One of the supposed comments was that neither of them was willing to have an ambulance come to the office to haul her to the morgue. I'll be monitoring this one carefully.
Additionally, I'm feeling less and less satisfied with my job (govt attorney). I feel all I do is review documents. Granted, that's part of being a lawyer, but the review projects assigned to me consume all of my time, leaving no room to try to get in on anything else/barely any time to work my assigned cases properly (note, the review projects are not cases I'm directly involved in, I'm merely manpower and a pair of eyes). BB had previously told me, when she was put in charge, that I'd be working on the large cases doing more than doc review- I'd be drafting, editing, working on motions and other filings, and my name would appear on this stuff with the other lawyers- very very good to get my name out as a young lawyer. Well, that hasn't happened. I've done some drafting and editing, but my name isn't on a darn thing. I'm the little mouse in the back room, figuratively surrounded by file boxes, with a single bare bulb over my desk.
I'm getting worried, as my 2 yr minimum commitment ends in late August (BB knows this; they can't force you to stay for the time period of 2 yrs, but they can refuse to give a recommendation). DH is starting the job hunt (graduating in May), and BB knows I'll follow my husband wherever he has to move to (though DH is aiming to stay in City A where we live now). I'm concerned I'll go to her and say, "well DH got awesome position in City B, we're in City A, but City B has a branch of our office, soo....." only to have her cut me off and say "good luck finding a position down there" rather than letting me transfer out from under her direct supervision (still working for her, but no day to day in person interaction). I'm afraid that all I can really say about what I've been doing at my position is document review. I did file motions and whatnot during law school in clinic programs, but it's been almost 2 years since I graduated, and I've not filed much since (maybe 2 relatively unimportant documents). Most positions I'm seeing either want beginner, entry level, no experience, or minimum 3 years active experience. I'm in no man's land in the middle. I'm debating applying for a position with another govt entity. 2 positions have opened up in that entity, one in the section I previously did a clinical program in. I just don't know whether I should do it or stick things out where I am and see what changes after CW leaves, if she does.
So, if you skipped to the bottom- my irritating coworker may be leaving for health reasons, which may or may not improve my current working conditions. I'm getting dissatisfied with my job, out of a feeling of lack of actual experience and development in my field, and concern over how it affects my future prospects as a lawyer. Thanks for listening!