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I am a junior associate at a small practice group of a biglaw firm and starting the lateral interview process. My firm has a strong face time requirement and it would be noticeable if I leave for callbacks. Any advice on how to schedule half days off without current firm finding out I am interviewing? Thanks in advance.

Anonymous User wrote:I am a junior associate at a small practice group of a biglaw firm and starting the lateral interview process. My firm has a strong face time requirement and it would be noticeable if I leave for callbacks. Any advice on how to schedule half days off without current firm finding out I am interviewing? Thanks in advance.

Call in sick.

My firm found out I was interviewing when I was lateraling. It was very noticeable. In the end they didn't really care until I left.

Just email your supervisor and say you have a dentist appointment or something and that you'll be back after.

Or you could call in sick or take a vacation day as suggested above. You might wanna start using your unused vacation days anyway...

1styearlateral wrote:You might wanna start using your unused vacation days anyway...

Check the firm policy on this. Mine got paid out when I left.

LarrySanders wrote:

1styearlateral wrote:You might wanna start using your unused vacation days anyway...

Check the firm policy on this. Mine got paid out when I left.

I think its ny law they have to. its considered wages. so they cant withhold it from you.

to address OP, don't forget about randomly showing up to work in a suit. when I was interviewing I would actually take my tie off immediately after the interview. maybe im just paranoid though

Just say its for a doctor's appointment. Of course, people are still going to realize what the deal is, but it may give you cover for awhile.

OP here. Thanks for the responses. Was thinking of sending an email a day or two in advance to day I will be in late because of a doctor or dentist appointment. However, I am concerned of receiving a ton of work emails and being completely nonresponsive for a few hours straight in the middle of the day. How have people dealt with this?

Anonymous User wrote:OP here. Thanks for the responses. Was thinking of sending an email a day or two in advance to day I will be in late because of a doctor or dentist appointment. However, I am concerned of receiving a ton of work emails and being completely nonresponsive for a few hours straight in the middle of the day. How have people dealt with this?

Can't always answer emails during certain doc appointments.

ruski wrote:

LarrySanders wrote:

1styearlateral wrote:You might wanna start using your unused vacation days anyway...

Check the firm policy on this. Mine got paid out when I left.

I think its ny law they have to. its considered wages. so they cant withhold it from you.

to address OP, don't forget about randomly showing up to work in a suit. when I was interviewing I would actually take my tie off immediately after the interview. maybe im just paranoid though

Wearing a suit/tie to a biz casual firm would certainly send glaring signals, you were not paranoid at all. I would personally try and schedule things for a Friday and just use a vacation day and say you are going to your significant other parents place for the weekend, make a joke about it, and then move on. Literally tons of excuses you can make up.