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How does vacation approval work at your firm?

Firm: [Name or Rank]
Team:[Be as specific or general]
Process: [Do you write to a partner and keep chasing?/Do you mark it on a software?]
Replacement: [Who finds/appoints a replacement?]

Firm:V10
Team:Finance
Process: Write to staffing partner and follow up several times. No formal approval generally which creates stress and uncertainty. Assume approval if replacement gets in touch 1-2 days in advance but otherwise keep following up.
Replacement: Staffing partner
Comments: Generally, like my firm but would move just because the process lacks respect.

Firm: v40
Team:litigation
Process: email to partners / associates that I work with (maybe 1-2 months out, particularly if longer trip). Follow up with reminder closer to vacation. No need to ask “permission” - more just a courtesy email to notify people you are going to be out and that your work will be handled.
Replacement: generally don’t need one, time known deadlines to match up to vacation. But partner/junior associate can cover as necessary.

Firm: V10
Team: M&A
Process: email head of practice group and everyone I’m currently staffed with a couple of months beforehand. If no one objects, book anything non-refundable. Follow up a month and a week before I leave. Tell anyone who staffs me on a deal that I’ll be away from x date to y date.
Replacement: LOL. Associate has to find their cover, but that can be pretty hard.

Firm: V30
Team: M&A
Process: Email all partners of local practice group and everyone I’m currently staffed with ~6 weeks beforehand. Follow up 2 weeks before and again a week before I leave. Tell anyone who staffs me on a new deal that I’ll be away from x date to y date.
Replacement: Associate supposed to find their cover, but staffing coordinator can help if you're unable to.

Firm: V30
Team: PE M&A
Process: email staffing partners (2 of 4 in group) as soon as possible, but no requirement. Follow up reminder ~2 weeks before. General common sense stuff like maybe flag if getting staffed on new deal close to time.
Replacement: no defined process, we're a small group, if necessary (they generally are pretty good at shifting work in lead up to avoid) partners will staff an associate to take over deal.

Firm: V50
Team: M&A/Corp
Process: Email partners/associates that I'm working with about a month or so out, send a Cal invite if it's for more than just a long weekend; remind the same people the week before; if I'm in the middle of a deal or project, mentally preparing to work over some part of my trip; wash, rinse, repeat. We have "vacation codes" but those don't mean jack shit and doesn't benefit me - I'd record if it went towards billable (as in would reduce what I truly need to bill each year based on my vacation time (this would make logical sense for faction time)) but since it doesn't benefit me, I usually find at least 6min of work to do a day so I can record some time.
Replacement: usually me, but depends on where I am in the project/assignment.