Ask Ash

Dear Ash

I work in a firm whose clients come from very traditional industries, and their buy-in and support seem intimately linked to progress within the firm. While I did expect law to be a bit of a boys’ club, I suspect there may be a Freemasonry connection behind some recent moves and promotions. As a woman who has no political or social clout with such organisations, what can I do to ensure I too can get ahead? I am reluctant to ask my bosses directly as I would be unlikely to get a straight answer.

Ash replies:

Equality in today’s workplace is still a work in progress, despite equality laws having been in place since the 1970s. Recent equal pay cases, as well as the ripples from the metoo# campaign, have only shed light on the often murky and misogynistic environment that women are still unfortunately exposed to.

You do not specify what your suspicions are specifically based on, but your claim that you are unlikely to get a straight answer suggests there is also a lack of open communication at the firm, which itself does not seem to suggest the healthiest or most positive working environment.  

However, your key concern seems to be over your ability to progress and your perception of a glass ceiling, and therefore you need to be able to address this specific issue first. This

is best done during a one-to-one meeting with your line manager. I would avoid any reference to your suspicions about Freemasonry, as you do not seem to have any substantiation and it is also unlikely to be helpful in any initial discussions.

Every employee should be afforded the opportunity of a regular appraisal system to allow the setting of clear objectives and the discussion of career goals. This is the appropriate forum for you to highlight your career ambitions and to set goals for your future. Such open discussion should allow you to highlight the timelines you anticipate for promotion and progression, and indeed for your employer to highlight any specific targets you need to meet.

Even if, as you suspect, business is coming to the firm as a result of certain connections, this does not necessarily mean you will be held back in your individual career goals.

Give yourself a set time to try to improve things at your current role through the appraisal forum, focus on planning how you can raise your own profile and meet targets independently without reliance on any external forces, and this in itself should help you to stand out positively in the long term.

Send your queries to Ash

“Ash” is a solicitor who is willing to answer work-related queries from solicitors and other legal professionals, which can be put to her via the editor: peter@connectcommunications.co.uk, or mail to Suite 6b, 1 Carmichael Place, Edinburgh EH6 5PH. Confidence will be respected and any advice published will be anonymised.

Please note that letters to Ash are not received at the Law Society of Scotland. The Society offers a support service for trainees through its Education, Training & Qualifications team. For one-to-one advice contact Katie Wood, head of admissions on 0131 476 8162 or by email: katiewood@lawscot.org.uk