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Do small law firms have paralegal managers?
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This is something you shouldn't allow, since it will keep happening the more you let it. Also, makes you think its okay for future jobs and it's not, you need your space. I would answer once and say something like: "I appreciate our collaborative efforts and am committed to supporting our team's success. To ensure I remain effective and maintain a healthy work-life balance, I kindly request that non-urgent communications be reserved for standard working hours. This approach will help me stay focused and responsive during our scheduled times."
A1 gave great advice. I’d add after that convo, make sure you stick to the boundaries. Don’t respond to anyone outside of your hours. Depending on the practice area, I know there’s some exceptions, but otherwise, ignore. I even set my phone on do not disturb to reinforce boundaries for everyone.
The partners in our office are extremely mindful of people’s time outside of work. If a lawyer or even partner begins to disrespect that it is taken extremely seriously and dealt with accordingly. Do you have an HR? Or a partner to talk to about it? Setting firm boundaries and sticking with them are a key to a healthy work life balance!
Before I went to law school I worked for a bit as a paralegal (which sparked me wanting to go to law school) and I was always really firm with my boundaries because I needed work life balance. I would literally say "I am so sorry, I have to go for the day but I will get that to you first thing tomorrow."" And my boss was always understanding.
Honestly I don't think there is a right time in law firms. The attorneys and the paralegals are always so super busy. My attorney had me, one time, calendar a time and date that worked with their schedule. So, I did that. We talked, I didn't feel much was accomplished but I sure did feel better of the response.
Coach
You write out your reasonable boundaries and present them to your attorney with explaination of the boundaries and why. They do not pay you off the clock so it is unreasonable and unethical that they should expect you to be available at their every beck and call after work hours. Now, you can ask for remote access and be at their beck and call if you choose,however, make darn sure you bill for it.
How are they trying to contact you? Email? Obviously it can wait until the next day. It is not unusual for an attorney to send a message about something they are working on that they need. It doesn’t mean that you need to do it immediately.
Telephone? Answer the phone and since you don’t have remote access, as them to send it in an email so that you will have the instructions to do the task when you are at work the next day.