My wife and I have had several life changes over the last 6 months that have impacted my work schedule. My firm says they want me to stay on partner track, so they connected me with a career coach to help. But I’m not sure how honest I can be with the coach regarding the partners I work with and how their work/communication style is antithetical to being able to balance my personal demands. Especially since the firm hired them. Thoughts?

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Probably first ask if the career coach keeps your discussions confidential or whether they provide feedback to the partners. A good one should keep your discussions private, but you never know.

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I would not share this kind of information with a coach paid by your firm. While the coach may assure you they keep sessions confidential, it’s not clear to me that there are any laws or even coaching ethics guidelines that 100% protect your disclosures to them.

If you want coaching, I suggest hiring your own person — one who has no connection to the firm’s coach, and who has never before worked with your firm.

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if there are no long term solutions, you may want to consider other options (unless you think you can ride this out long enough to find a solution where you are)

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Theyre not therapists with a license and obligation to keep your discussions confidential so I wouldn't use them as a therapist. I'd tell them in vague terms issues you're having and get their advice on how to handle.

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Since we don’t know what the personal issues are, all I can do is offer options based upon what will provide you with the most protection. If it is health related, look into laws of your state that offer reasonable accommodations for these issues, FMLA, short term disability leave, etc. I would not discuss this with the career coach but with HR once you have made partner. As to communication style, I have no advice.

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I would ask them upfront about confidentiality. Usually they’re confidential and the firm knows attorneys will ask them about departure plans, otherwise there’s no point to a career coach. My firm had one, I told her everything, and she was good.

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Figure out ways around without directly saying it. They might be able to give some insight and actually help, but I would be mindful that words tend to get around.

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