Ways to Protect Yourself
( and other useful tips- Otherwise known as "Pearls of Wisdom from Mom"
(Disclaimer: I am NOT a lawyer, nor have had any legal training. All I advise here have been learned from hard experiance- take it or leave it.)
1) If you want it legal and provable in court, get it in writing or send it in writing. If its not on paper somewhere in some form, assume that it is of no use for you.
2) Unless you send it registered/certified mail it will be your word against theirs..don't take the chance, certify it!
3) For goodness sake, keep copies of what you send. (I backup documents on disk and can give a copy to my parents or sister...aren't computers GREAT?)
3) Develop a filing system, file any documents even vaguely of interest in your whole life..you never know when you might need them (better to not NEED it, then to not HAVE it).
4) Witnesses (the more emotionally distant from you the better) are a GOOD thing..get names and numbers.
5) A picture tells a thousand tales.
6)Secret recordings may NOT be admissible in court (check your laws), but they do help mightily in remembering and helping others that need to help you, believe you.
7) Document everything you possible can by the methods above or use your imagination..you may find yourself in need of the stupidist things.
8) Look into the law you are facing, know the law you are facing inside and out...you can't play the game and win if you don't know the rules!
9) If you are unable to afford legal help, look into public agencies that might help you as soon as you suspect the tiniest problem..they know the rules and can advise you and be familiar with you if you need the help.
10)Don't count on anyone being able to help you if you are breaking the rules or asking for something not provided for in the law. They can only possibly provide damage control.
11) Play the "what if" game and make "game plans", if you can, for all of them. Try not to be caught unprepared. Better to be 2 steps ahead if you can.
12) Being right doesn't mean you will win in a court situation....see tip # 11.
13) Make a habit of documenting and keeping paperwork...too often you don't know you will need the stuff until it is wayyy to late, and sometimes there is no going back.
14) ACYA (Always Cover Your *ss)
Other Tips
1) Almost every business person you deal with has a supervisor who has their own supervisor who has THEIR supervisor...if you aren't getting satisfaction climb the "ladder".
2) You catch more flies with honey then you do vinigar - Once you go nasty it's nearly impossible to go back..consider that in your interactions.
3) Try to remain calm and proffessional....if you "lose it", you lose credibility and their interest and only make yourself look bad. Scream when you are out of earshot or off the phone.
4) Try not to threaten something you aren't absolutely sure you can follow thru on..if they call your bluff and you were never able to follow thru to begin with...you've just shot your credibility.
5) Don't promise anything unless you are sure you can follow thru. Once again- credibility shot.
6) Try always to be reasonable (that shouldn't even need saying).
7) Be creative, explore unorthodox solutions, consider all routes, and think down the road. It's not impossible to do it "that way" until you prove it is impossible.
8) What is impossible for someone else may NOT be impossible for YOU!
Copyright © text Paula Shepard April 2001