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Kindly recommend some self help books!
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Thanks! I agree taking a sabbatical would be the best case scenario for getting by, I’m just not sure how to go about getting it approved with HR.
I’ve been listening to former lawyer podcast a lot! It’s definitely been a great resource.
Yup. Left my previous gig in April 2021 because of a boss who refused to properly staff our office after my paralegal died and I went without one for 9 months. I was at the office until 9pm minimum trying to keep the office running and was saying goodnight to my 2-year-old daughter over FaceTime every night. Didn’t have health insurance for a few months (wife and daughter had coverage through wife’s job), but I found a small civil defense firm where I’m out of here at 5pm nearly every day and the work/life balance and my mental health are much better. Plus a $20k salary boost doesn’t hurt.
I did but ended up finding another position and starting 6 weeks later without a real “gap” to explain. I sought positions that had something different to offer (broader practice experience, closer proximity to home because I live in the burbs, etc.). I framed my previous departure in ways that had nothing to do with burnout or toxicity. Ended up only going a few weeks without insurance.
I still wish I had been more courageous and taken a real sabbatical then just looked for organizations with leadership that could respect that. I know others who have taken this route as well. Check out the Former Lawyer podcast and collaborative if you’d like insight from other similarly situated lawyers.
Yes, but you do not want to explain a gap by being critical of a former employer. Strike while market is still hot and try to find another job first. Might only take two mo in this climate.
Can you go on a brief leave instead? Or a 2 week vacation?
Start with a vacation. If at the end of the vacation you feel like you need more time, then ask HR about going on paid sick leave.
If you're staying in big law. A gap is bad. If you are looking to do something else, a gap can be pretty great (as long as you're a few years in). I left big law to go on a motorcycle adventure (5th year, partner track). After I left, all sorts of jobs responded to my resume, when it was crickets before breaking the golden handcuffs.
That’s awesome! I feel like some type of sabbatical would do wonders for my mental health - hopefully I can figure something out.
Yes! Quit with nothing lined up. Took 5 months off and found my next job. I suggest having a story about “transitioning” and why - my gap wasn’t a big deal at all because I had a good and compelling story around it. Also pandemic. People understand people wanting jobs that actually align with their life. Try to quit early in the month so your health insurance can run thru the end of the month. I used funds from my HSA to get me thru doctors appointments and such but you can always elect into COBRA.
I didn’t as I didn’t expect my sabbatical to last as long as it did so I thought Id have insurance sooner. I was also generally healthy and felt comfortable being uninsured for a few months but totally a personal choice!