Taking off close to start date okay? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I will be starting as a first year at a big law firm in a satellite office the first week of November. We go to NY (main office) for a week of training on the fifth and then the following week I will be joining the office.

My best friend is planning a trip for her 30th birthday with our friend group from the Nov 29-Dec 5. I don’t anticipate being able to join her to celebrate the entire time, but I would like to at least join for a long weekend (fly out Thursday and fly back Monday). Of course I am wary to request time out of the office/off so early. It’s an all day flight most likely so I could work remotely on the plane that Thursday and Monday.

Looking to the hive mind to see if this is a bad idea. I have seen people post similar questions re weddings or other family events and most people usually receive advice to go. Not sure it’s anyone’s business, but this particular friend is like a sister to me.

Wondering if it would be a bad look to go, or if no one will really care at all. Obviously people take vacations but given how late my start date is, I am wondering if this will look irresponsible to partners, senior associate’s etc. If it is a bad idea to go I obviously won’t.

FWIW the satellite is small (probably about fifteen lawyers) and it is a V30 firm. I will also be working for NY partners remotely.

[t-14orbust]

Lol what. Do not go

[Pneumonia]

Lol what. Do not go

[QContinuum]

Thirding this. Absent a close relative on their deathbed, absolutely do not take time off less than a month after you start.

[smokeylarue]

Take Friday off, but not Friday and Monday. If you take Friday and Monday off, then you will look like a slacker, since you're basically doing a 4 day weekend right after Thanksgiving, which is a 4 day weekend. Keep in mind, Biglaw is full of really lame people who judge for this kind of stuff. This is especially true in your tiny office. In a small office, it will amplify any gossip unfortunately. But one day off, who cares.

[Anonymous User]

I say go, especially if you foresee your time in biglaw being relatively short (2 years). You’ll be a stub year, and nothing you’ll be doing will be irreplaceable.

I’ve taken a few trips like this and suffered so consequences. Maybe, and just maybe, it’d be different if your heart is set on becoming partner, but I say go if you think your time in biglaw will be limited.

[Pneumonia]

I say go, especially if you foresee your time in biglaw being relatively short (2 years). You’ll be a stub year, and nothing you’ll be doing will be irreplaceable.

I’ve taken a few trips like this and suffered so consequences. Maybe, and just maybe, it’d be different if your heart is set on becoming partner, but I say go if you think your time in biglaw will be limited.

You've taken a few trips in your first month of work immediately after Thanksgiving?

[QContinuum]

Take Friday off, but not Friday and Monday. If you take Friday and Monday off, then you will look like a slacker, since you're basically doing a 4 day weekend right after Thanksgiving, which is a 4 day weekend. Keep in mind, Biglaw is full of really lame people who judge for this kind of stuff. This is especially true in your tiny office. In a small office, it will amplify any gossip unfortunately. But one day off, who cares.

A three day weekend right after Thanksgiving still doesn't look great, given that OP won't even have put in a full month yet. If OP'd already been at the firm for a year, or even a couple months, sure, (probably) no one would care, but that's not remotely the case here.