I’m at a mid size transactional firm. I’m a total night owl and my partners have OK’d me starting the workday at around 11am because I regularly work until midnight or later. I get so much more done after dark! I still get some side eye from other associates, but 🤷🏽‍♀️

Does anyone else here have an unusual work schedule? Curious what adjustments you’ve made to make it work.

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I usually start work between 10-noon and work late into the evening. I jump on earlier if need be. I've been doing this for 3 years and nobody cares. I'm not at a midsize though. This is in big law.

likehelpful

I start at 9am but find that I’m most productive between 7pm and 12am. I’m definitely not one to work 9-5 straight but my firm doesn’t care what my chosen hours are as long as I’m available for calls/meetings, am getting my work done on time, and bill the appropriate amounts.

likehelpful

I take breaks whenever something arises and often shower in the middle of the day (I take cold showers which I find rejuvenating actually). My day is incredibly flexible but the flipside is that I often have calls in the evening including after 9pm whenever the partners need anything - I’m always on the clock.

I have a chronic health condition and work weird hours because of that. I work whenever I’m feeling the best and being the most productive, which is often evenings or weekends. I don’t have any official accommodation, but I tend to disappear for a few hours here and there when I need to rest. There’s no sense in me sitting at my computer for hours entirely unable to focus when I could rest and be more productive later.

Everyone I work with regularly knows and is perfectly fine with it as long as I’m not abandoning an urgent matter and am still meeting deadlines. I block my calendar off and at this point (6 years practicing, 2 in this role) I only tell people if I’m going to be 100% unavailable for longer than an hour or two. Even if I’m resting, I monitor my email and respond so people know I’m still around.

likehelpful

I’m in-house now, which admittedly makes it much easier not worrying about billing (although I find there are certain aspects that are harder because I have so many video calls all day). It was definitely stressful at the firm because of the billables, but I was not a top biller and was not trying to be one. If I had been trying to max out my hours/bonus I’m not sure it would have worked.

Dropping in as a junior that’s had to work with someone who basically kept a noon - 3am schedule please be mindful of when you’re sending us work because this guy used to exclusively give me stuff at 7pm

like

When I was a junior I had a senior who was a night owl (and others who were not) and they used to watch my status to make sure I was online when they were… ended up pulling 16-17 hour days on the regular (not busy, no closings, etc.) A2, I feel your pain…

like

I’m also a complete night owl! Just dropping by to say hello since it feels like most of my friends and colleagues are morning people. I can’t wake up in the mornings ever but am very productive at night, feels good to see I’m not alone in this world lol

like

Also a night owl. Flex scheduling has been the only benefit of wfh for me.

like

Started a remote role where my team is west coast and so excited to work west coast hours while on the east coast.

like

I’m about to start a remote position and I will get to choose my schedule. I’m torn about how to handle it because I’ve been self-employed for a couple of years and I’m used to working when there’s a lot of work to be done and doing whatever I want when there isn’t. So I’m trying to decide whether to start as early as possible and just get work over for the day as soon as possible so that I can use my afternoons and evenings uninterrupted or to start late and do my workouts and chores in the morning and only have activities with my partner and relaxation in the evenings. I don’t think I’ll be able to split my time with a long break in the middle, but I can see the advantages and disadvantages to that. Any thoughts?

I work 6-4 so I can bill 1-2 hours more than my daily goal (to save for some vacation time) and still come home right after my kid gets home from school! If I wasn’t trying to bill over so much I would probably do 7-3:30

It’s definitely a firm-to-firm thing. I’m at a small patent boutique where work-family balance is highly prioritized (many partners don’t work on Fridays, or put in a few hours remotely). I’ve been told that as long as I hit my hours people don’t care when I work.

like

Related Posts

A friend of mine has just left Infosys BPM (Consultant). He is serving notice period. It's been 1 month and it seems like manager is hell bent to make him work day and night. And this is sudden change. As per him same had happened with one of his colleagues too. Anybody here has any idea about it ? Can he speak up and object to working over time and on weekends ?

like

Managers, what do you do to keep stressful projects from hurting your work/life balance?

like

How do you spend your precious unwinding time after work? I love binge watching tv shows but realize it’s probably not the healthiest way to wind after a stressful day. Anything fun / low stress yall do?

Note; working out is not a relaxing activity for me so don’t even start with that. Also I am single and have no kids so ..

like

Wish apps like BetterHelp were free. I can’t afford healthcare or therapy (I’m unemployed, and yes, I’ve tried seeking pro bono therapy options — no place anywhere nearby offers it.) I really need a therapist I can talk to on at least a weekly basis to just unpack so much that’s bogging me down to the point of being unable to function some days, but it’s just so cost prohibitive! What sucks is everyone assumes this career hands you median wages on a platter but I’m worse off than I’ve ever been.

like

How do you do weekly therapy while working full time? I'm looking to start and have a potential reoccurring evening appointment, but it would still require me to leave the office by 5 once a week.

like

thinking of moving to EY M&A Tax based in london, how are the work hours like typically? is it considered a super niche area of tax?

like

How would you handle not getting a lunch break when you are a salaried employee treating patients for 40 hours a week? I don’t get documentation time either, but all notes are to be completed the same day. Some of us have reached out to HR and we’re told to discuss it with the regional director, but the regional director says we’d have to come in early or leave late to block out a lunch break. My commute is an hour each way, so I’d prefer not to make my day any longer. Advice?

like

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Hello Everyone I want to know the work life balance in LTI. I've heard that the culture is like BPO you've to spend 9 hours in the office even if your work is completed. They are very much strict about timings. If you're login time is 10 it should be 10 if you login at 10:15 you need manager approval. The projects are also of supports? I'm selected as Java developer in Lymbyc(LYM) Bu. Please it would be really helpful if you guys give me some insight especially Larsen & Toubro Infotech L&T Techn

How can anyone act like they’re happy working Saturday’s during busy season? My buds are snowboarding, my girlfriend is complaining that I work too much and I’m missing the playoffs. Times like these make me question why I stay.

like

Is it natural to be happy then sad then happy again or on an emotional roller coaster in your career? Or is there such thing as work nirvana?is it possible to truly like your job and enjoy it every day? Or are hard days inevitable?

like

Can anyone share their experience for "Wealth Management Americas(WMA) Investment Products IT Change the Bank(CTB) team"? How are projects I mean newer or legacy technology, WLB, team's culture?

like

Please don't ignore and kindly suggest which company I should join JP Morgan or TIAA (mumbai both) in terms of
1. Work culture, work life balance
2. Compensation
3. Growth
Soon will be receiving offers. Yoe- 5.9, domain - risk / compliance.

Also, i have offer in hand 20 lpa fix+4lpa variable. how much i can expect from both.
Please suggest.

like

Is IQVIA a product based company ?
Planing to join IQVIA. How is the work life balance and yearly hike in IQVIA Bangalore ?
And are they allowing to work from home ?
I have another offer that is of Airbus but there a huge difference in the fixed part (4L).
So not going with airbus and airbus is not ready to negotiate .
5.5 YOE MERN stack technology (full stack role )IQVIA
Any help will be highly appreciated as my joint date is coming closer .

like
like

KPMG TRM folks - how is the job you do different than IT audit? How is the work life balance in TRM? Would you recommend a co-worker to move to TRM from external audit?

like

Hi,

How is work life balance, annual hike, job security and overall work culture at Lowe's? Is it a product or service based company?

Guys how much is expected pay in Capgemini for BI consultant Role for 8yrs exp..n how is Job Security n work culture with Onsite opportunities in Capgemini?

like

Has anyone just taken a break from work without anything lined up? Every offer I’ve gotten wants me to start in a month and with 2 weeks notice that leaves me only 2 weeks to recharge. For my mental health I really think I need an extended break (like 3 months). I have about 60k liquid to sustain myself and pay about $1500 a month in rent.

like

Hi... I have got below offers.. Can anyone please let me know which company is better to join in terms of wlb and quality of work. Tcs - pune - 15.25fixed + 1.5L variable pay Cts - pune - 18 fixed + 70k variable + 1L jb Wipro - Bangalore - anz client - 18 fixed + 2L variable + 50k jb Global logic - Hyderabad - 20 fixed - Google client

like

More Posts

I have an asset purchase of a retail store transaction. Seller is keeping the second location. Seller is licensing the name from the buyer. The licensing agreement is supposed to contain provisions so that the seller cannot offer promotions or discounts that the buyer does not also offer (i.e., seller cannot undercut buyer's pricing). I know very little about antitrust. Can anyone give me some suggestions how to enforceably draft this agreement, or is this arrangement impossible?

like

Hi All, I've been offered 6L fixed with 15% variable for F&A in Accenture, and my last drawn was 4.10LPA. Could someone pls tell me if I should negotiate for more or is this the slab for level 11?

Please help! Accenture

like

Hello Guys

I want your suggestion on what to choose between M.sc IT or M.sc Computer science. Which one is better for career point of view in IT . I mean i just want your views which degree i pursue as i only have these two options.
P.S- i have done BCA earlier.

Please guys suggest.

like

What level of watch is acceptable to wear to work? Not sure if office vs client site also impacts

like

I was released without cause today but my boss mentioned my battle with mental health and that I’m looking for other jobs before canning me. Should I address this with the board or leave it alone?

like

Fellow Big Law colleagues, need help on how to hansle a situation (that shouldn’t even be happening imo).
I used to work for Partner A in project financing and made the internal switch to work in Investment Funds team.
One case with Partner A remained, and though I stayed on, it was mostly to advise in Investment Funds, as he had been looping in another associate from his team.
This week I had to send an e-mail about InvF, and he complained to me that he hadn’t seen the draft…how do I respond?

like

Right-wing Republican moving family from deep blue progressive city. Looking for excellent schools, low property taxes. reasonable housing prices, and a high percentage of Republican voters. Any suburb recommendations?

likefunnyuplifting

I have interview scheduled with nielsenIq tomorrow for java spring boot position. Kindly let me know ehat questions we can except. I already cleared codility coding round.

like

Hi All,

I have given an interview for BI Customer Analyst for 3 years experience @NielsenIQ. How much salary should I expect?

Anyone who has 2+ years of experience in Salesforce. There are openings in Accenture.

likesmart

Hi All.. I need a referral for my brother in mastercard. Can anyone help with the same?

like

Can anyone please Refer me for a SAP PP job?

like

Hi everyone, I'm eager to get some B.A or Project experience, having recently achieved my certification in Agile Project Management and I’m looking for new opportunities as a Project Administrator or Coordinator. I am experienced in project administration, sales, and PA work. I'm especially interested if anyone has any roles (remote or hybrid) in the U.K. Thanks in advance!

like

Does IQVIA release offer in the name of Foresight IT Solutions And Consulting India Private Limited?
Please confirm asap.

like

The $1100 money for buying laptop was given during covid or still it will be given to new joiners ?

like

Hi, please confirm what will be the work of Wealth Manager Band 1 and how much is this profile involved into core sales .. or is it a customer service profile? I am very new to banking sector so will they provide training after joining or not?

How do you do weekly therapy while working full time? I'm looking to start and have a potential reoccurring evening appointment, but it would still require me to leave the office by 5 once a week.

like

When are Pune offices reopening?

How come in TV shows there are different salaries for different actors? And it's even worse when you bring numbers in. Per episode, there have been cases where some people make twice as much as others.

like

Additional Posts in Law

Do you keep offering circulars/memoranda from a financial printer when you leave a firm? I have a few (some private, some public) and I’m not sure what to do with them.

like

I have a lot of mindless closing binder assembly today so I’ve been watching Restrepo and Korengal in the background. It.... really puts things in perspective. I feel like such a baby for complaining about long hours or stressing over emails.

like

Just looked up a firm a recruiter told me about. I would be the only Latino on the roster and among the few that didn’t go to an Ivy League or top 20 law school. I don’t even know if I should bother applying...

like

When do you update your LinkedIn when lateraling? I have a week off in between firms and am unsure as to when the appropriate time is to update my profile. My first day at the new firm? Or after finishing at the old firm?

like

Has anyone taken  ACAMS Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS)? Any comments/ reviews? How has it enhanced your employability? Why did you take the CGSS?

like

A summer associate has a side hustle business. It’s ok until they are barred right?

like

How to follow up without sounding desperate? I already let them know I have competing offer expiring. They promised to get back to me multiple times but still don’t have final decision from them despite positive feedback.

likehelpful

Looking for opinions on Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester in Southern California.

like

I’m not a biglaw attorney but have been working on a few matters with Wilson Sonsoni for some time. We have a good working relationship. Didn’t go to a T14, had middle of the pack grades. What’re the odds they’d consider me as a lateral in the Washington DC office? Is it even worth applying? Is a STEM background absolutely mandatory? Any other insights on culture and expectations at WS’s DC office would be appreciated. Thank you 🙏

like

I do a mix of corporate governance and securities law. Is it wrong to pass on tax questions? I truly don’t understand tax law and feel incompetent to answer tax questions with any accuracy.

like

Alston & Bird LLP Does anyone have any insight into associate pay, bonuses, min billable hours, and general work/life balance at Alston & Bird LLP? (DC Office)

like

Salary cut 20% first week the virus broke out, no bonuses this year, and it’s unlikely that we will get that 20% back. Good thing this was my first year and I earned all of 3 months of my salary. 😑

like

2020 grad M&A/PE Associate in LCOL area thinking about moving to a ECVC/M&A boutique. I generally like the work I do and the people I work with, but I really don’t like the hours and the constant late nights and weekends. Currently on pace for 2250. Boutique I have been eyeing has billable hour requirement of 1500-1600 and comes with a 20-25% paycut. Is this a stupid idea and should I grind it out until I can move in house? Will this ruin my opportunities down the road?

like

How often do you respond to emails from law students who want to learn about your firm/practice area? I get like a dozen requests right around OCI every year. Frankly I’m tired of speaking to them and answering the same boring questions, especially if I know they have a low GPA and no chance of summering at my firm, but I do feel bad saying no/ignoring them

like

I have a promising interview at a relatively large law firm in my area (+100 attorneys) next week. The position is for a transactional role in their real estate practice group, and they are seeking someone with at least 2 YOE. I have a bit over 7 YOE with a strong real estate/commercial lit. background. Over the past two years in my current position, I've been doing a lot more transactional work. The split is around 50% transactional and 50% lit.

(Continued below)

like

How many billable hours per week is considered at capacity? I’m getting pushback on boundaries I’m setting about additional matters and marketing work from my firm when I’ve been billing 60-75 hours per week for the last 6 weeks, and I’m still behind on my work. I feel like it’s reasonable to not kill myself further to fit in more/turn things around faster at this point, but am I being unreasonable? I expect my workload to remain at this level through the end of the year at least.

like

My direct report expensed Cal Bar late fees assessed for reporting MCLE credits late and for paying the bar fee late. It’s around $190 extra. I don’t care about the money (it’s not mine) but I think this is principally wrong to ask the company to cover it. Thoughts on this and how you would communicate it?

like

Absolutely love my direct supervising partner, hate the firm management, pay is mediocre and I could get a 5 digit bump elsewhere, what do I do? (Mid-size insurance defense firm in southeast region)

like

Looking to move from nyc to Miami hopefully by 2023! If anyone has any advice on how to make the jump, lmk! Currently doing employment and crim defense but want to go into plaintiffs PI

Thanks in advance for the advice!

like

BigLaw M&A: what do you consider to be “big deal” vs a small and medium deal? For example, what do you consider a $150M deal?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal