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Hi all,

First time expectant father and I’m curious about paternity leave protocol. I know every location and office is different, but I’m asking more social norms than legal rights.

I’m in NYC and firm is following NYS Paid Family Leave where you get some pay for up to 10 weeks.

I’d like to take it and there is no real fear of any form of retribution for taking all 10 weeks.

My main question is when/how should I tell supervisors? Question and anon because we haven’t really told anyone but family (superstition and nerves because of previous fertility-related issues).

Anyone gone through something similar and have advice? Thanks

Anonymous User wrote:Hi all,

First time expectant father and I’m curious about paternity leave protocol. I know every location and office is different, but I’m asking more social norms than legal rights.

I’m in NYC and firm is following NYS Paid Family Leave where you get some pay for up to 10 weeks.

I’d like to take it and there is no real fear of any form of retribution for taking all 10 weeks.

My main question is when/how should I tell supervisors? Question and anon because we haven’t really told anyone but family (superstition and nerves because of previous fertility-related issues).

Anyone gone through something similar and have advice? Thanks

Check your firm handbook, there's likely a notice provision in there.

I just did this recently. I spoke with our HR/talent folks first to make sure I knew who all I was supposed to notify and what all I was required to do. There was not really a set protocol, but I did have to let HR know the amount of time once I decided. As the leave got closer (about one-one and a half months out), my partners started asking if I had an idea how long I’d be out. I worked with them to get backup in place, etc. It was fairly informal, and nobody had any issues with how I handled it or how much time I took (approx 7 weeks). Best of luck and good on you for taking time off. I don’t regret it at all.

Take the full amount of leave you're allotted, and simply make sure you satisfy the minimum amount of notice required under your firm's leave policy. Don't feel bad about doing either.

Please, for the love of those who cover for you, about 8 weeks out, starting keeping a running handover memo which lists deals/cases, internal team members, status, key documents (and imanage numbers), Outlook vcards, who manages client communications, next steps on deal/case needed.

I have been blindsided by the ever-so-unhelpful "everything's on the system" by colleagues(mothers and fathers) taking leave, and it's just so incredibly $hitty to be walking on tenterhooks with the client and going down every rabbit hole to find things on Filesite because the person you're covering for couldn't be bothered to have handover meetings and make a memo/chart with this info. Truly. Your colleagues will thank you and it will be extremely well received if you do this. Copy your staffer or practice group manager too when you finally send the memo around when it's time.

Anonymous User wrote:I just did this recently. I spoke with our HR/talent folks first to make sure I knew who all I was supposed to notify and what all I was required to do. There was not really a set protocol, but I did have to let HR know the amount of time once I decided. As the leave got closer (about one-one and a half months out), my partners started asking if I had an idea how long I’d be out. I worked with them to get backup in place, etc. It was fairly informal, and nobody had any issues with how I handled it or how much time I took (approx 7 weeks). Best of luck and good on you for taking time off. I don’t regret it at all.

Thank you. This is helpful and the anecdotal type of advice I was looking for

RedGiant wrote:Please, for the love of those who cover for you, about 8 weeks out, starting keeping a running handover memo which lists deals/cases, internal team members, status, key documents (and imanage numbers), Outlook vcards, who manages client communications, next steps on deal/case needed.

I have been blindsided by the ever-so-unhelpful "everything's on the system" by colleagues(mothers and fathers) taking leave, and it's just so incredibly $hitty to be walking on tenterhooks with the client and going down every rabbit hole to find things on Filesite because the person you're covering for couldn't be bothered to have handover meetings and make a memo/chart with this info. Truly. Your colleagues will thank you and it will be extremely well received if you do this. Copy your staffer or practice group manager too when you finally send the memo around when it's time.

Good point. I have all of my work product on a shared drive and typically leave neat records for those who cover when I’m on vacation but this is entirely different. I’ll begin working/keeping more detailed transfer type memos