It’s Friday.  So here is something on the lighter side of things. 

Forbes is reporting that an associate attorney is the most unhappy job in America.  That’s probably why Travis and Amanda look so glum most of the time.  So the next time you see them, pat them on the back and let them know, “This too shall pass.” 

What are the other unhappiest jobs in America?  Customer service representative, clerk, registered nurse and teacher.  Doesn’t that make you feel good?  The very people whose job it is to interact with you are the unhappiest.  Perhaps that’s it.  The problem isn’t the job, it’s you.  They have to deal with the public.  So why then are associate attorneys so unhappy.  Their primary responsibility is not to deal with the public.  … Oh yeah, it just hit me.  They have to take orders from my partners. 

On a more serious note, it is important to recognize that an unhappy worker is more likely to sue the company.  Consider, for example, the lawsuit between Alexandra Marchuk and her former law firm, Faruqi & Faruqi.  Marchuk claimed that a partner at the firm, Juan Monteverde, sexually harassed her.  The allegations are serious.  I won’t reprint them here.  If interested, you can read it for yourself on the Internet.  The law firm took the unusual step of filing a counterclaim against Marchuk.  It claims that Marchuk has defamed the firm, misappropriated confidential information, and is engaging in malicious prosecution.  The firm claims she was infatuated with Monteverde.  The firm wants $15 million in damages. 

We will see what happens with Marchuk, Monteverde and the law firm.  It would be very unusual for me to recommend any employer filing a counterclaim against an employee who claimed sexual harassment.  It exposes the business to yet another claim — retaliation.  And the fact that the law firm has attacked with venom may convince a jury that punitive damages are warranted against the law firm. 

Obviously, Marchuk was an unhappy associate.  And I doubt there are many happy employees, associates or partners at Faruqi & Faruqi. 

FYI, my partners (at least most of them) are pretty good people to work for!