Life without windows: are there firms with interior offices? Forum

[Anonymous User]

CC

[Old Gregg]

Lots of DC firms give interior offices (though with windows facing an atrium) to junior associates.

[Anonymous User]

CC

This is the firm.

[Old Gregg]

More to the point, it's really difficult for firms to expand physically in their office space. It means getting floors, which are not always available and renovating them so they look good for your entitled ass. This process takes at least half a year, and it should only really be done when you absolutely know you'll need it.

[Anonymous User]

More to the point, it's really difficult for firms to expand physically in their office space. It means getting floors, which are not always available and renovating them so they look good for your entitled ass. This process takes at least half a year, and it should only really be done when you absolutely know you'll need it.

Firm eliminated a floor of windowed offices. Then did this

[IAFG]

Can you even imagine what someone not in the legal field would think of an entry-level employee whining that their private office with a door doesn't have a window?

[Old Gregg]

More to the point, it's really difficult for firms to expand physically in their office space. It means getting floors, which are not always available and renovating them so they look good for your entitled ass. This process takes at least half a year, and it should only really be done when you absolutely know you'll need it.

Firm eliminated a floor of windowed offices. Then did this

Again, really difficult to anticipate needs and demand. You're being a little bitch about it.

[Lwoods]

As someone who just finished working 2 years of jobs in offices without windows, for about 1/3 the pay of a NYC biglaw associate, I completely understand the desire for a window (DEAR GOD LET MY NEW OFFICE HAVE A WINDOW), and even choosing one firm over another because one firm will guarantee a window. But high dudgeon? "Blindsiding"? Outing a firm for doing this? No one is guaranteed any particular kind of office.

Agreed.

But for perspective, the Fortune 500 company I worked for pre-law school has roughly the following hierarchy (from entry-level to top):

-Analyst/Assistant [job function]
-Associate [job function]
-Manager
-Director
-VP
-C-level management

Managers and Directors still sat in cubicles, cubicles with higher walls, but still cubicles. VPs had windowless offices, and I never saw C-level management offices.

Considering a person could do well at that company and never rise above director-level (and thus never escape cubicle-world), I think you can handle a couple years in an internal office as an entry-level attorney.

[Anonymous User]

What if the firm gave the SAs window offices, but when the SAs came back to start as associates, the firm had expanded and there were no more window offices, only interior. Would you be annoyed? Felt like you got the shaft?

[IAFG]

Just:

1) get diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder
2) explain your condition to the Professional Development Manager and demand a window
3) laugh at those proles in your starting class shoved in broom closets.

[Anonymous User]

What if the firm gave the SAs window offices, but when the SAs came back to start as associates, the firm had expanded and there were no more window offices, only interior. Would you be annoyed? Felt like you got the shaft?

I know of at least one firm that gave SAs better offices than first years. It wouldn't surprise me if it weren't all that uncommon considering how SAs are generally treated better than first years.

[IAFG]

SAs are generally treated better than first years.

BAIT AND SWITCH

[dixiecupdrinking]

What if the firm gave the SAs window offices, but when the SAs came back to start as associates, the firm had expanded and there were no more window offices, only interior. Would you be annoyed? Felt like you got the shaft?

What if the firm took SAs out to free lunches four times a week, plied them with booze and social events, and let them go home at 6 PM every day... why, it would almost be like the firm trying to create a positive, largely inaccurate impression of what it's like to work there!

[aces]

What if the firm gave the SAs window offices, but when the SAs came back to start as associates, the firm had expanded and there were no more window offices, only interior. Would you be annoyed? Felt like you got the shaft?

I know of at least one firm that gave SAs better offices than first years. It wouldn't surprise me if it weren't all that uncommon considering how SAs are generally treated better than first years.

A lot of firms do this.

[bk1]

What if the firm gave the SAs window offices, but when the SAs came back to start as associates, the firm had expanded and there were no more window offices, only interior. Would you be annoyed? Felt like you got the shaft?

What if the firm took SAs out to free lunches four times a week, plied them with booze and social events, and let them go home at 6 PM every day... why, it would almost be like the firm trying to create a positive, largely inaccurate impression of what it's like to work there!

[Gorki]

This is all I can think of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNai8OYhdxA

[Anonymous User]

People are mocking the OP, but IMO, as someone who has spent 3 years as a big law associate, I couldn't imagine not having a window. I've done it as a 9-5 employee, but it's a different kettle of fish with big law hours. In the winter, no window would mean months on end without seeing the sun. A cubicle in an open office with windows would be far better.

[Pokemon]

What if the firm gave the SAs window offices, but when the SAs came back to start as associates, the firm had expanded and there were no more window offices, only interior. Would you be annoyed? Felt like you got the shaft?

What if the firm took SAs out to free lunches four times a week, plied them with booze and social events, and let them go home at 6 PM every day... why, it would almost be like the firm trying to create a positive, largely inaccurate impression of what it's like to work there!

Firms do this????

[A. Nony Mouse]

So, year 3 of having a windowless office begins.

[Hipster but Athletic]

Is there a difference between natural light and incandescent, in terms of psychology, after the natural light has been purged of its UV and vitamins via glass windows?

[rinkrat19]

Is there a difference between natural light and incandescent, in terms of psychology, after the natural light has been purged of its UV and vitamins via glass windows?

There's an actual different wavelength distribution. Chop off the purple end of the daylight, and reduce the intensity a lot since you're not actually standing outside.

Personally, I think about as many people have real seasonal affective disorder as have real gluten allergies.