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How do you all approach vacation requests for a smaller firm of around 60-70 attorneys?

My boss doesn’t really understand that you may need to plan several months in advance... or he doesn’t care. I’m always met with the same response... “I will review your request asap.” However, my boss will never get back to me.

I deal with this any time I want to get away and it’s frustrating.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks all.

I'm at a bit firm, so might be different. But basically I just tell people whenever I book something that I'm taking X days off and going to Y location. They inevitably entirely forget, so I send a follow up email like a month before, and then again a few days before.

If you're sticking within parameters, I think it should be more of a "tell" than an "ask" thing. Unless half the office is already planning on being out or you're a litigator and have a trial that week, or something like that.

Is there not an HR department or handbook on how to request vacation/time off? I'm not saying go over your boss' head, but there has to be another method that is acceptable and will keep you in good standing too.

My experience at a smaller firm and now at a larger one regarding vacations is pretty similar. As far in advance as you can, let the partners / associates you work for know by sending a calendar invite with the dates you will be away. Also it will probably be helpful to mention whether you plan on checking emails / calls while away. Everyone will likely forget as it gets closer, so in the weeks leading up to the vacation just send a reminder noting you will be away.

lawhopeful100 wrote: let the partners / associates you work for know by sending a calendar invite with the dates you will be away. Also it will probably be helpful to mention whether you plan on checking emails / calls while away.

whatever you do, don't send calendar invites. and everyone will expect you to be checking emails while away

after you're initial request I would just follow up with something like "I'm assuming this is ok as I haven't heard back and will proceed to book the flight" or something along those lines. in all honestly they don't care and partners have no idea how busy they will be in 2 months time so they have no reason to reject your request

ruski wrote:

lawhopeful100 wrote: let the partners / associates you work for know by sending a calendar invite with the dates you will be away. Also it will probably be helpful to mention whether you plan on checking emails / calls while away.

whatever you do, don't send calendar invites. and everyone will expect you to be checking emails while away

after you're initial request I would just follow up with something like "I'm assuming this is ok as I haven't heard back and will proceed to book the flight" or something along those lines. in all honestly they don't care and partners have no idea how busy they will be in 2 months time so they have no reason to reject your request

Honestly your best bet is prob just to ask an associate in your practice group how it works. Like I said, at both places I worked a calendar invite specifically to the people you work for was pretty standard, but I could see some people not wanting to be bothered by that.

lol do not send calendar invites, I think the checking the emails thing depends, try to go somewhere where you can legitimately claim lack of reception.

Op here... got it approved. Persistence is key.

Lol.