I'm having this weird issue with inkscape, actually, it's been around since I started using it (about 2 months ago).

Every so often when I move text objects and more so when I paste them from either another inkscape file or within the same document they flip horizontally.

Is this a bug or am I doing something wrong?

Hello
I can only point to the bug's report of Inkscape

Something similar might be this:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/938558
A superficial reading of the above:
Perhaps, you are using a flowing text, or importing from a PDF.

It seems like the problem is related to importing .ai files (which, in my understanding are built like pdf). the rest of the office uses illustrator so there's the issue.

If you are sure the issue is related with importing .ai files, It will be of great help If you communicate with the Inkscape's development team. Look into the link of launchpad provided before.
Now... the issue may take a long time in being solved... or not. It's up to you

Greetings

Feel free to share an example file for examination. ai, pdf, svg, what have you. They may need to be zipped.

I might try Menu: Text>Remove manual kerns.