I prepare documents and do research for the lawyer. He wants to be able to come in without having to wait for either of us to unlock the door. I am concerned that he might come over unannounced and come in and use the bathroom and my mother will see him when he comes out, and he will startle her. She is 88 and not very stable and I worry it might do more than just scare her.
I just don't want him coming in unannounced if I am away; he could literally scare my mother to death. :(
Now I want to be clear, making a suggestion about to accommodate his bizarre request without giving him access to the inside of your house is in no way suggesting his request and obvious disregard for your privacy is ok. If you decide to put your foot down harder or push back on his crap, you would be totally in the right IMHO, go for it. But I get the benefits of finding a less confrontational resolve too, maybe he is just getting older or maybe he's looking for an excuse to visit with your mom! ;) lol
Some are just like that.
How about setting times. Say 2 pm. (etc) and you will leave the door unlocked for 10 mins?
Definitely do not give him a key.
TELL him you cannot do this.
You do not have to explain why?
Dont let him bully you into it. (even if he means no harm)
Finish off with. "You are such I nice person, I just KNOW you will understand"
Then shake his hand and say "Thank you, so much" and smile.
Good luck
Side note: If your state/province allows you to legally record your "no" conversation, I would, and I'd save it. Write a Memo for Record annotating what/when he originally said or asked for, the date, etc., and your response (and his). Hang on to these. If there are other requests he's made that doesn't sound right, write that down as well. Chances are you'll never need them, but...
Lol. I see Wally and I had the same thought.
The first red flag for me would have been when he disregarded calling you before he comes over. This is my personal opinion but him being my employer and asking for my house key? I will repeat again that at the very least this is NOT professional behavior on his part. What kind of law does he practice?
If you feel comfortable I would tell him flat that he needs to call before coming over. If he cannot do this that you will either fax or email the briefs, etc to him. Just because you have known him for 18 years does not give him the right to ask for a key to your house. He can wait for you to answer the door.
Not okay to even come to your home, imo. Unprofessional. Find a way to back off
and still be employed, if that is what you want to do.
Are there any more RED FLAGS about this man? Are you at all uncomfortable around him?
A friend used to do transcription from home; I believe she delivered the completed work, but she may also have e-mailed it.
And I would think that in today's wired environment, the attorney could get his transcriptions and research results by e-mail as well.
Are you a paralegal or law student?
I think this is highly unusual, and unprofessional. Something stinks about this request.
How well do you know this guy?
ETA; the more I think about this the more unusual it seems. Typically an employee would deliver work; the employer wouldn't pick it up, unless it's a construction or fabrication item.
With today's modern technology, can't you scan the documents over to the Attorney?