THE PROBLEM 问题
For eight years, I've been a loyal manager at a small, family-run business. Yesterday, I was made redundant. I feared it was coming as my boss wouldn't meet my eye and I knew someone had to go. But I don't think the company followed the correct legal procedure. I feel wronged and suspect I was chosen because I am well-paid and part-time. Do I seek legal advice despite how much this will hurt my employer (whom I like and usually respect)? or do I console myself with the thought that they probably won't survive this recession?
年来，我一直担任一家小型家庭企业的经理人，忠于企业。昨天，我却被晾在一边。我担心事情终将发生，因为我老板不愿正视我的眼睛，而且我知道有人得走人。但我认为，公司没有遵循正确的法律程序。我感到受到不公正待遇，并怀疑，之所以选择我，是因为我的薪水高，并且是兼职。我是否该寻求法律建议，尽管这会给我的老板带来很大的伤害（我喜欢他，而且通常很尊敬他）？或者我该自我安慰说，他们可能不会在经济衰退中生存下来。
LUCY'S ANSWER
It sounds as if the real problem is not that you've lost your job but that you are very angry about it. It's quite understandable to be spitting with rage when you've given eight years to a company only to be cast out on your ear: I'd be really angry in your shoes, too. But what troubles me is that your anger has a nasty side. You protest how much you like your boss but then say you'll console yourself with thought of the company going bust.
听起来，似乎真正的问题不是你会失去工作，而是你对此非常生气。当你为公司奉献了8年时光，却突然之间被抛弃了，恶言相向，发泄一下是很可以理解的：我若处在你的情况下，也会很生气。但让我不解的，是你愤怒中的阴暗面。你口口声声说你多么爱你的老板，但接下来却说，你将用公司会破产的想法来自我安慰。
I think it would be much better to console yourself with the thought that there was nothing personal in this, that these things happen and to concentrate on getting a good reference and finding another job.
我认为，用这样的想法来自我安慰会更好些：这里没有私人恩怨，既然事情发生了，就集中精力争取一份好的推荐材料，然后再找个工作。
I'm not quite sure what you want to happen now. Do you want an apology from your boss and a nicer goodbye? If so, a lawyer is the last thing you need. Instead, you should talk to this man whom you used to like and respect, and tell him just how you feel (omitting the bit about hoping his company will end up going down the tube).
现在，我不大清楚你究竟希望发生什么。你想要老板道歉和更友善的道别吗？假如是的话，律师是你最不需要的人。相反，你该跟这个你平常爱戴和尊敬的人谈谈，告诉他你真正的感受（省略希望他的公司将会完蛋的那一部分。）
If what you want is more money, a lawyer may not be able to help much there, either. If the company did not follow the correct procedure - the rules are different for small companies - then you might have a case for unfair dismissal, but unless you can prove discrimination on grounds of sex or race, the size of the payout is going to be tiny. And the process of suing is expensive and exhausting.
如果你想得到的是更多的钱，律师可能也帮不上多大的忙。假如公司没有遵循正确的程序--对小公司来说规则有所不同--这可能构成你被不公平解雇的案子，但除非你能证明存在性别或种族歧视，支付赔偿的额度将会很小。而起诉过程费用昂贵，而且还很磨人。
The only good reason for seeking legal advice is if you are lying awake at night fretting over what your rights are and a lawyer will be able to tell you. If you consult one, don't feel bad about your boss: you don't owe him anything. But you do owe yourself something and for your own sake I'd let it go. Nice endings are better than nasty ones.
寻求法律意见的唯一有益的理由是，如果你在深夜辗转难眠，反复思考你究竟有哪些权利，那么一个律师或许能够告诉你答案。假如你咨询了律师，就别为你的老板难过：你不欠他的。但你欠你自己的，为了你自己，我觉得还是算了。美好结局总比讨厌的好。
