Navigating RTO - Spring ‘22 Forum

[Anonymous User]

Lots of firms announcing RTO. How do you plan to navigate it? Seems like going in once a week until pressured to go in more often may work for the first few months …….share any thoughts/tips. Thanks

[Anonymous User]

I'm at Kirkland and in a few weeks, we will be officially expected in office on Tue/Wed/Thu. I have been fully WFH since March 2020.

My initial plan is to come in once a week or any time there's a meeting that I'm expected to attend in person (which I expect to be once a week). E.G. Week 1 there's a meeting on Wed; I go in Wed. Week 2 there are meetings on Tue and Wed; I go in Tue and Wed. Week 3 there are no meetings; I'll go in Thu or something.

I don't think the firm will accost associates who aren't coming in 3x a week right away. I think there will be a ramp up period, and that the focus will be on those who don't come in at all or who come in once a month. My strategy will probably get in me in like 6x monthly, which I expect will be enough to avoid any criticism.

[Anonymous User]

Expected to go in three days weekly, but go in anything from 0 - 3 times per week.

[Anonymous User]

If there is a financial crisis in the next year or so (not saying there will be), anyone who does not strictly comply is giving the firm ammunition when layoffs are decided. Of course if market stays busy, there likely won't be material consequences for associates who come less often than expected.

[Anonymous User]

If there is a financial crisis in the next year or so (not saying there will be), anyone who does not strictly comply is giving the firm ammunition when layoffs are decided. Of course if market stays busy, there likely won't be material consequences for associates who come less often than expected.

I suspect RTO compliance would be far down the list of factors used to determine layoffs in the event of a downturn. I doubt it would play a role in nearly any of those decisions, at least at my firm. Profitability (hours history), perceived skills, likability, power of the partners you work for all come first by a lot.

[Anonymous User]

I also suspect that whether "strict" compliance is required is going to depend a lot on who you work with, not the firm's overall policy.

[Anonymous User]

If it's busy, I am staying home 100% of the time. I'll make an appearance (1x week) when work is slow and the commute won't have much of an effect. In the meantime, I am actively pursuing permanent WFH jobs. If/when the hammer comes, I want to have my foot half way out the door.

[Anonymous User]

At a permanent WFH firm. Will never step foot in an office again on a regular basis (may make periodic trips just to say hi).

[Anonymous User]

We'll be required 3x but I'm going to go in only 2x. If that doesn't work (for me or the firm) then I'll be seeking fully remote opportunities even if a substantial pay cut is required. This is a massive QoL issue.

[Anonymous User]

At a permanent WFH firm. Will never step foot in an office again on a regular basis (may make periodic trips just to say hi).

Can you tell us this firm? Or at least give us the first letter?