Would it be appropriate to quit? Forum

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 7:35 am

I'm currently studying to retake the bar (*tear*) in February and recently accepted a part time position as a law clerk in a small firm. I was told that I would be part time only to allow me time to study as well as to attend to some familial obligations.

After I was hired, he fired all of the clerks who had passed the bar at close of business the day before Thanksgiving. He failed to give a concrete reason as to why and there was no indication anything was wrong before this happened. He calls me that night and tells me he expects me to work full time now, with extended hours being the norm for the position. I told him I preferred to stay part time but he keeps insisting on full time. At this point, I'm wondering if it'd be appropriate to quit? I've only worked there for a few weeks so I know it'll probably look bad. I just don't know how else to proceed. Any advice would be appreciated!

Troianii · Post by **Troianii** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:14 am

Anonymous User wrote:I'm currently studying to retake the bar (*tear*) in February and recently accepted a part time position as a law clerk in a small firm. I was told that I would be part time only to allow me time to study as well as to attend to some familial obligations.

After I was hired, he fired all of the clerks who had passed the bar at close of business the day before Thanksgiving. He failed to give a concrete reason as to why and there was no indication anything was wrong before this happened. He calls me that night and tells me he expects me to work full time now, with extended hours being the norm for the position. I told him I preferred to stay part time but he keeps insisting on full time. At this point, I'm wondering if it'd be appropriate to quit? I've only worked there for a few weeks so I know it'll probably look bad. I just don't know how else to proceed. Any advice would be appreciated!

:/ I'm not speaking from legal experience, only from fairly extensive work experience, but under the circumstances I'd figure to prepare a 2 week notice letter, and then approach your employer (in person) and re-explain the reasons why you can't work full time. If that isn't good enough, then I'd give the two week notice and work the two weeks full time without grudge - do your best while you're still there, but you don't want to just quit. Try to leave on the best of terms. You don't want to, in an interview with your next employer, have to explain that you quit on the spot. You want to be able to at least honestly explain your quitting in a way that won't disturb a future employer. Your current employer hired you on with certain conditions you set, then he changed the rules so to speak, so you left with notice. That won't look that bad - but quitting will.

Anonymous User · Post by **Anonymous User** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 8:43 am

Do you have to mention it on your resume at all? Also not in law, but anyone I know who had a stint of a few weeks just didn't put it on their resume.

wwwcol · Post by **wwwcol** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:35 am

Anonymous User wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:I'm currently studying to retake the bar (*tear*) in February and recently accepted a part time position as a law clerk in a small firm. I was told that I would be part time only to allow me time to study as well as to attend to some familial obligations.

After I was hired, he fired all of the clerks who had passed the bar at close of business the day before Thanksgiving. He failed to give a concrete reason as to why and there was no indication anything was wrong before this happened. He calls me that night and tells me he expects me to work full time now, with extended hours being the norm for the position. I told him I preferred to stay part time but he keeps insisting on full time. At this point, I'm wondering if it'd be appropriate to quit? I've only worked there for a few weeks so I know it'll probably look bad. I just don't know how else to proceed. Any advice would be appreciated!
:/ I'm not speaking from legal experience, only from fairly extensive work experience, but under the circumstances I'd figure to prepare a 2 week notice letter, and then approach your employer (in person) and re-explain the reasons why you can't work full time. If that isn't good enough, then I'd give the two week notice and work the two weeks full time without grudge - do your best while you're still there, but you don't want to just quit. Try to leave on the best of terms. You don't want to, in an interview with your next employer, have to explain that you quit on the spot. You want to be able to at least honestly explain your quitting in a way that won't disturb a future employer. Your current employer hired you on with certain conditions you set, then he changed the rules so to speak, so you left with notice. That won't look that bad - but quitting will.

Are you kidding? The dude sounds like a schmuck who is just exploiting clerks who have not yet passed the bar. OP, if you don't want to be there, just quit and leave it off your resume.

A. Nony Mouse · Post by **A. Nony Mouse** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 9:59 am

Anonymous User wrote::/ I'm not speaking from legal experience, only from fairly extensive work experience, but under the circumstances I'd figure to prepare a 2 week notice letter, and then approach your employer (in person) and re-explain the reasons why you can't work full time. If that isn't good enough, then I'd give the two week notice and work the two weeks full time without grudge - do your best while you're still there, but you don't want to just quit. Try to leave on the best of terms. You don't want to, in an interview with your next employer, have to explain that you quit on the spot. You want to be able to at least honestly explain your quitting in a way that won't disturb a future employer. Your current employer hired you on with certain conditions you set, then he changed the rules so to speak, so you left with notice. That won't look that bad - but quitting will.

0Ls should be very very careful about posting advice in the Legal Employment forum (and posting anon to get around that is also to be avoided).

SemperLegal · Post by **SemperLegal** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 10:32 am

If you are N.Y., you can't leave any legal work off your resume for bar purposes. Give your two weeks, work, and leave. That way you did everything right. When it comes time for your employer certifications, he'll try to screw with you, but anyone in this career with a propensity to bully and use will have a reputation. If it gets down to it, your word (backed by the other clerks) will eventually prevail.

Also, he'll probably fire you on the spot and not make you actually work those two weeks.

20160810 · Post by **20160810** » Mon Nov 30, 2015 1:01 pm

SemperLegal wrote:If you are N.Y., you can't leave any legal work off your resume for bar purposes. Give your two weeks, work, and leave. That way you did everything right. When it comes time for your employer certifications, he'll try to screw with you, but anyone in this career with a propensity to bully and use will have a reputation. If it gets down to it, your word (backed by the other clerks) will eventually prevail.

Also, he'll probably fire you on the spot and not make you actually work those two weeks.

This sounds right to me.

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