rough relation with partner at 1L SA firm Forum

[RVP11]

lots of friction, doesn't approve of me going downstairs for a 20 min break without telling everybody where i'm at,

It's common office etiquette to tell people where you're going, so they can locate you quickly if something important comes up. The only exception would be going to the restroom. OTOH, you shouldn't have to tell EVERYBODY where you're going. But you should tell at least one person who is going to be around while you're gone.

doesn't approve of boyfriend visiting over lunch break

Your SO should not be visiting more than once or twice maximum throughout the summer, even if this is an unpaid position. And even then, whether he should visit at all should depend on the firm culture. But apparently you have pretty terrible judgment, so just don't let him visit at all.

[ggocat]

This thread is NOT going the way the OP intended.

Haha. That's how TLS works.

ITT: OP asks a question, a few posters answer, and the rest decide to give their two cents about the situation without answering the question.

The question is flawed in that it assumes that the firm her 2L summer would be okay with her current practices.

EDIT: Re-read the question, I guess it doesn't necessarily assume the above. But if her goal is to get an offer from her 2L summer, then she should take some of the advice ITT. No matter how crass people are on this site, they tend to give solid advice. Well, most do.

I'm not saying it's a bad thing. That's just how Internet forums work. If OPs don't want to be lectured, they should just ask questions without unnecessary background info.

[hiromoto45]

OP have you ever had a full time job before, especially one in an office? This kind of stuff would be a problem most places, let alone a law office.

hahaha

I was thinking the same thing.

[romothesavior]

OP have you ever had a full time job before, especially one in an office? This kind of stuff would be a problem most places, let alone a law office.

hahaha

I was thinking the same thing.

+1

Seriously...grow up. Breaks? lol I haven't had a lunch break or any other break in years...lunch is for catching up on work, meetings or business discussions not trips with your boyfriend to the local deli.

I see you're still retarded.

[Mr. Matlock]

It will never cease to amaze me how smart some kids can be, yet are so incredibly inept and stupid.

I'm sure Mommy and Daddy will take care of everything OP. You just keep looking pretty.

[romothesavior]

OP, as noted, your habits are poor. If you came here seeking pity, you'll find none. It amazes me how immature and unprofessional people in the workforce can be, especially those around my age. +1 to hoping my SA class has lots of people like this (that's assuming anyone at WUSTL gets an SA, but you get my point).

[interalia]

OP, as noted, your habits are poor. If you came here seeking pity, you'll find none. It amazes me how immature and unprofessional people in the workforce can be, especially those around my age. +1 to hoping my SA class has lots of people like this (that's assuming anyone at WUSTL gets an SA, but you get my point).

+1. How could you be so unprofessional as a 1L SA? This is mind-boggling.

[romothesavior]

OP, as noted, your habits are poor. If you came here seeking pity, you'll find none. It amazes me how immature and unprofessional people in the workforce can be, especially those around my age. +1 to hoping my SA class has lots of people like this (that's assuming anyone at WUSTL gets an SA, but you get my point).

+1. How could you be so unprofessional as a 1L SA? This is mind-boggling.

IMO, being professional is all about reading the people you work for and work with. I am a little more laid back at my job, but only because my boss is very chillax and the people I work with are laid back and happy-go-lucky people. We all really enjoy working together. But if my boss was a strict stickler, you can bet I would pick up on that and adapt. Professionalism is really self-explanatory and not difficult to pick up on.

OP said her boss is very tough. So she must either be 1) unable to take a hint or 2) really stubborn.

[jack duluoz]

Stop watching 'The Hills.' It's not real life.

[Mr. Matlock]

OP said her boss is very tough. So she must either be 1) unable to take a hint or 2) really stubborn.

I bet he expects her there at some crazy hour in the morning, like 8am. What an ass!

[bilbobaggins]

ITT: OP is told to inform everyone at her firm every time she has to take a 20 minute shit.

[Mr. Matlock]

ITT: OP is told to inform everyone at her firm every time she has to take a 20 minute shit.

Hot chicks don't take shits.

[stratocophic]

ITT: OP is told to inform everyone at her firm every time she has to take a 20 minute shit.

Hot chicks don't take shits.

If that was the case there would be no issue with the partner.

[dresden doll]

OP said her boss is very tough. So she must either be 1) unable to take a hint or 2) really stubborn.

I bet he expects her there at some crazy hour in the morning, like 8am. What an ass!

This. I actually don't think that OP's boss has required anything that would warrant classing him as tough.

While I do think that meeting SO outside the firm for a half an hour lunch break isn't unprofessional on its face - assuming, of course, that everyone else tends to step out for lunch breaks on their own, too - I can't imagine bringing him inside for a lunch break, absent permission from the boss. I know I wouldn't just walk mine in, even though my boss is pretty understanding.

As for breaks, regular 20 minute recusals should def. be communicated to someone. 20 minutes is a decent bit of time. Besides, telling someone 'hey, if anyone needs me, I'll be at XYZ place' before dashing out is simple enough and shouldn't be too much for anyone, particularly not a well paid 1L SA kid.

[Mirrored]

Alright.

So OP, you are being ridiculous and you sound like a baby. Rather than being defensive or evasive or any of that, you should realize the following.

1) This is Corporate America. You need to check-in. People need to know where you are. They are not paying you so that you can disappear at your convenience. They are paying you for your time. If you disappear for twenty minutes it is a big deal. You have to let people know where you are because they are paying you. They aren't paying you because you deserve it, they are paying you to work for it. Know that. Respect that.

2) This is work, not a playspace for you and your lovey-dovey kissy-kissy boyfriend to come in with his Ed Hardy shirt and barbed wire tattoo so that you two can have your special time in front of everyone else. This is work, not the tunnel of love, or "you time".

3) That you came to this job without the desire to knock their socks off, that you seem entirely okay with half-assing it, that you are such a big baby that you are calling the partner a "dick" for him doing his job as a manager-- it's entirely ridiculous. I am surprised you fooled them long enough about your maturity at the interview.

I am also deeply concerned that you are acting like this. When people whine about the performance and attitude of our generation, you are now a part of the cause of that.

Yes, you are going to make everyone else working with you look better by comparison. However, as you are now, you are jeopardizing the shots of others our age.

You can handle the above one of two ways.
1) Sulk. Whine. Act like a little princess who should be catered to. Call your boss names behind his back. Invite your cute girlfriends into work with their trampstamps showing. Continue doing the bare minimum you can not to get fired.

If you pick this option you are a waste of a law school slot. Because you took that slot, someone else who would have actually been able to contribute to the world and succeed was denied one. Understand that your selfishness is hurting not only yourself, but the world. Melodramatic criticism end.

2. Realize you are being a complete idiot. Change that. Grow up. Get to work early. Stay late. Work hard. Your boyfriend does not exist during your work day. No facebook. No crying. No excuses. Perform. Work hard and work better than everyone else. Anticipate the employers expectations. Exceed them.

If you pick this option, you are a good allocation of a law school slot. Because you took that slot the world becomes a better place.

Your call chief.

[HBK]

If you're new to a job, you should want to make a good impression.

Here's a tip: Don't do things you think your boss won't like.

[CG614]

Anyone call flame based on OP even having an 1L SA?

[dresden doll]

Anyone call flame based on OP even having an 1L SA?

No, why? Some of us did get to work for firms this summer. Looks legit enough to me.

[cavebat2000]

If shes not at her desk then her annoying boss can call her. That's why cell phones exist. She doesn't need to leave a post-it note trail everywhere. Also, bitterness about not getting a lunch break is your own problem, not hers. Good bosses allow their employees to be humans.

[paratactical]

.

[romothesavior]

If shes not at her desk then her annoying boss can call her. That's why cell phones exist. She doesn't need to leave a post-it note trail everywhere. Also, bitterness about not getting a lunch break is your own problem, not hers. Good bosses allow their employees to be humans.

Dumb dumb dumb.

[bk1]

Anyone call flame based on OP even having an 1L SA?

I think that thinking 20 minute breaks are okay is more of a reason to call troll.

Side Note: When will people on TLS realize the difference between trolls and flames?

[dominkay]

OP have you ever had a full time job before, especially one in an office? This kind of stuff would be a problem most places, let alone a law office.

TITCR.

[bilbobaggins]

Alright.

So OP, you are being ridiculous and you sound like a baby. Rather than being defensive or evasive or any of that, you should realize the following.

1) This is Corporate America. You need to check-in. People need to know where you are. They are not paying you so that you can disappear at your convenience. They are paying you for your time. If you disappear for twenty minutes it is a big deal. You have to let people know where you are because they are paying you. They aren't paying you because you deserve it, they are paying you to work for it. Know that. Respect that.

2) This is work, not a playspace for you and your lovey-dovey kissy-kissy boyfriend to come in with his Ed Hardy shirt and barbed wire tattoo so that you two can have your special time in front of everyone else. This is work, not the tunnel of love, or "you time".

3) That you came to this job without the desire to knock their socks off, that you seem entirely okay with half-assing it, that you are such a big baby that you are calling the partner a "dick" for him doing his job as a manager-- it's entirely ridiculous. I am surprised you fooled them long enough about your maturity at the interview.

I am also deeply concerned that you are acting like this. When people whine about the performance and attitude of our generation, you are now a part of the cause of that.

Yes, you are going to make everyone else working with you look better by comparison. However, as you are now, you are jeopardizing the shots of others our age.

You can handle the above one of two ways.
1) Sulk. Whine. Act like a little princess who should be catered to. Call your boss names behind his back. Invite your cute girlfriends into work with their trampstamps showing. Continue doing the bare minimum you can not to get fired.

If you pick this option you are a waste of a law school slot. Because you took that slot, someone else who would have actually been able to contribute to the world and succeed was denied one. Understand that your selfishness is hurting not only yourself, but the world. Melodramatic criticism end.

2. Realize you are being a complete idiot. Change that. Grow up. Get to work early. Stay late. Work hard. Your boyfriend does not exist during your work day. No facebook. No crying. No excuses. Perform. Work hard and work better than everyone else. Anticipate the employers expectations. Exceed them.

If you pick this option, you are a good allocation of a law school slot. Because you took that slot the world becomes a better place.

Your call chief.

Hahahahaha. This post was amazing. I've bolded the parts I find particularly hilarious. Just amazing.

[cavebat2000]

If shes not at her desk then her annoying boss can call her. That's why cell phones exist. She doesn't need to leave a post-it note trail everywhere. Also, bitterness about not getting a lunch break is your own problem, not hers. Good bosses allow their employees to be humans.

Summer associate = billable hours. 20 minute breaks that are frequent enough that a partner notices = potentially billable time you aren't billing for = missing profit goals or lying about your billables.

You cannot work biglaw if you expect these kinds of breaks and no partner is going to call to get a hold of a summer associate. Partners are important. You do not waste their time. You, as a summer associate and associate, are not important and need to be available.

Didn't think of billable hours deal, but arn't their laws about mandatory RR breaks? Not 20 minutes (unless specified so by state or local law).

Also, I would argue that the bolded part of your statement appears to be oxymoronic. If she's not important than why does it matter if she uses the RR?