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Officially got the email that my firm is "reopening"-- everyone must return to fulltime work in the office as soon as vaccinated. I'm completely caught off guard and thought the legal field might finally start permitting flexible work arrangements. For the last year the firm's policy has been to work however is most comfortable and productive (whether that be remote, in the office, or a hybrid). I've been really enjoying a flex schedule of 2-3 days in the office and the rest of the time remote. Anyone else receiving similar updates? Thoughts of firms being receptive to flexible work requests? For context, this is a small-midsize firm.

Seems wild to enforce fulltime office work after making WFH work for a year or more. What's the downside to allowing at least a day or two WFH option?

Still in school but heading into a SA in a midsize office (50-ish attorneys) in a non-major market at a regional firm (250+ attorneys) this summer. The recruiting partner and others have been really good about updating us on the firm's trajectory. It sounds like they're going to allow a flexible option (they were moving that way pre-COVID anyway) and downsize office space. There's talk of having offices available for reservation as well as permanent office spaces for those who want them. Not official and I'm obviously not in the internal loop, but that's what I'm hearing.

So your firm is requiring vaccination? What market is this?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:21 pm

So your firm is requiring vaccination? What market is this?

Not OP. I think OP means that the firm is requiring you to come into the office once you are vaccinated, but if you are not vaccinated, then you can WFH.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:27 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:21 pm

So your firm is requiring vaccination? What market is this?

Not OP. I think OP means that the firm is requiring you to come into the office once you are vaccinated, but if you are not vaccinated, then you can WFH.

This is correct

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:35 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:27 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:21 pm

So your firm is requiring vaccination? What market is this?

Not OP. I think OP means that the firm is requiring you to come into the office once you are vaccinated, but if you are not vaccinated, then you can WFH.

This is correct

So if you just don't get vaccinated you can work from home indefinitely?

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:35 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:27 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 1:21 pm

So your firm is requiring vaccination? What market is this?

Not OP. I think OP means that the firm is requiring you to come into the office once you are vaccinated, but if you are not vaccinated, then you can WFH.

This is correct

How can they know if you're vaccinated

Are any firms officially never requiring folks back in an office? I thought a few firms mentioned something like this (maybe WSGR/Cooley/Goodwin)??

Morale is not good at my firm and I can’t imagine forcing us back in will improve things.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:43 pm

Morale is not good at my firm and I can’t imagine forcing us back in will improve things.

Not knowing anything about the firm or your position there, do you feel comfortable reaching out to leadership with your concern? If morale is low, you likely are in contact with others about this at the firm, so can you reach out as a group?

Prudent_Jurist wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:50 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:43 pm

Morale is not good at my firm and I can’t imagine forcing us back in will improve things.

Not knowing anything about the firm or your position there, do you feel comfortable reaching out to leadership with your concern? If morale is low, you likely are in contact with others about this at the firm, so can you reach out as a group?

I’m a junior, so not really. I will say I personally am very happy but morale among others in my class in other groups is not good.

TigerIsBack wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 2:24 pm

Are any firms officially never requiring folks back in an office? I thought a few firms mentioned something like this (maybe WSGR/Cooley/Goodwin)??

Goodwin is allowing permanent remote. Haven’t heard that about wsgr or cooley

Would be wild if this had the effect of disincentivizing vaccinations. If you’re on the fence about getting one, or just in no hurry to do so - but you like working from home - then just don’t get one.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:18 pm

Would be wild if this had the effect of disincentivizing vaccinations. If you’re on the fence about getting one, or just in no hurry to do so - but you like working from home - then just don’t get one.

I'm not really on the fence - I know I want one. But things are so busy right now it's kind of a hassle to schedule it. Also based on some people I know who have gotten it, the side effects on the second dose might put you out of commission for a day or so. So going to take my sweet time.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:10 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:18 pm

Would be wild if this had the effect of disincentivizing vaccinations. If you’re on the fence about getting one, or just in no hurry to do so - but you like working from home - then just don’t get one.

I'm not really on the fence - I know I want one. But things are so busy right now it's kind of a hassle to schedule it. Also based on some people I know who have gotten it, the side effects on the second dose might put you out of commission for a day or so. So going to take my sweet time.

i got my second dose recently. it put me out a solid evening, it was like i essnetially got a fever. i wouldn't say it was a hassle to schedule and get it though, so i dont think there's much reason to delay getting it. The whole process is not time consuming at all. you basically just got a shot then wait there for 15 minutes.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:10 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:18 pm

Would be wild if this had the effect of disincentivizing vaccinations. If you’re on the fence about getting one, or just in no hurry to do so - but you like working from home - then just don’t get one.

I'm not really on the fence - I know I want one. But things are so busy right now it's kind of a hassle to schedule it. Also based on some people I know who have gotten it, the side effects on the second dose might put you out of commission for a day or so. So going to take my sweet time.

You know what else might take you out of commission for /more/ than a day or so? Covid.

gardenia wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:51 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 5:10 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 05, 2021 4:18 pm

Would be wild if this had the effect of disincentivizing vaccinations. If you’re on the fence about getting one, or just in no hurry to do so - but you like working from home - then just don’t get one.

I'm not really on the fence - I know I want one. But things are so busy right now it's kind of a hassle to schedule it. Also based on some people I know who have gotten it, the side effects on the second dose might put you out of commission for a day or so. So going to take my sweet time.

You know what else might take you out of commission for /more/ than a day or so? Covid.

Totally fair. I don't really leave the house and wouldn't travel or engage in risky indoor activities until I'm fully vaccinated.

Getting back on topic, any news on this?

I'm pretty sure at least one V50 has announced an October return to the office.

Sackboy wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 06, 2021 2:23 pm

I'm pretty sure at least one V50 has announced an October return to the office.

Voluntary or mandatory?

My V50 has promised WFH flexibility even when offices reopen. Not entirely sure what it means yet.