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Hi! I love my big law job surprisingly. Work from home has been huge for me. Unfortunately, a partner I work for wants us back into the office a few days a week starting now (not for any real reason tbh there’s nothing on the radar other than occasional meetings that already happen over zoom). We’re currently allowed to go into the office, but the firm return from WFH is in September.

Based on this, I decided to spend the next few months working remotely from some fun places. I’ve billed a super high amount through the pandemic so I felt like I deserved it. The partner was not happy when I told him. How do I deal with this? Otherwise my work is good and I’m not slacking in the slightest. I really don’t want this to impact me.

I don't think there's anything more to say. Fuck that partner. They can be unhappy all they want - if you're not a lifer at that firm, who cares. The partner won't fire you over this.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed May 19, 2021 8:02 pm

Hi! I love my big law job surprisingly. Work from home has been huge for me. Unfortunately, a partner I work for wants us back into the office a few days a week starting now (not for any real reason tbh there’s nothing on the radar other than occasional meetings that already happen over zoom). We’re currently allowed to go into the office, but the firm return from WFH is in September.

Based on this, I decided to spend the next few months working remotely from some fun places. I’ve billed a super high amount through the pandemic so I felt like I deserved it. The partner was not happy when I told him. How do I deal with this? Otherwise my work is good and I’m not slacking in the slightest. I really don’t want this to impact me.

What a tool partner. "I'm mad you made an even-larger-than-normal amount of money for me, and you were happier while doing it." They aren't happy because they are a loser, and frankly you should tell them to F off.

I think the question is how does HE deal with it, because you've done your part which is to inform him of your in-person availability which is well within the FIRM'S policy. You can, of course, let him know that you RELIED on the FIRM'S official communication to associates when you made these arrangements and made sure to comply with the FIRM'S return to office policy/plan.

If you can, don't let him know when/where you take off, just treat it as remote. I had a partner who similarly would ask when I was traveling back to my home state (noting that he didn't care where I was but I knew he felt otherwise), so I just stopped telling them when I was leaving. I would login and work and log off as usual. I didn't indicate my availability in any other time zone, etc.

I have been abroad for long contingents of my time during the pandemic. I would not tell him anything about these "fun places," but just indicate you are not comfortable yet going in (you can make stuff up, not vaccinated yet, visiting elders (you can even say you are visiting them if it becomes clear you are not at home), etc.) and want to abide by firm policy. Also, that partner is a tool, but I digress.

Anon because dealing with this same issue and I already identified the rank of my firm with enough detail in prior posts.

I have a partner just like this OP. I like him as a person, but I hate that he's pressuring people to go in and has already scheduled an in-person meeting. It sucks because some people in my practice will be pressured to go in because partners like this, while others won't because they're not working for someone who is doing this.

I won't go to that meeting if it was in person. Can't fire you. Not required. Push back. Not sure why most try to please old partners--most of you won't make partner and last 2-3 years before you lateral. They can't fire you that quickly.