*on the bench currently* mom: so you get paid for doing no work and relaxing at home. Me: yeah basically mom: what the hell kind of job is that 😂 #firstgenamerican

I quit consulting because I was on the bench for four months! I want to learn as much as I can in my youth years rather than binge watching Netflix. So I met with the partner, explained the situation and gave in my 2 week and headed out to a job where I learn something every single day with zero bench time. That's just me! I don't mind having bench time in my 50's, but certainly not in my later 20's

"No Mom, it's not an actual bench"

"Yes Mom, it means that I still have a job."

"No Mom, I'm not going to have to move back in with you"

"Yes Mom, I'm sure Dad wouldn't mind it either"

"Stop worrying Mom. THIS IS WHY I DON'T SHARE EVERYTHING WITH YOU!"

"Love you too - please remember to make me my special mac n cheese this weekend"

More than just on bench. Even when I work from home on Fridays, my parents would think I am just staying home free and can come over to help them do all the things in the house...even though the truth is I have hours of meetings and work to do. No wfh concept at all.

@P3 obviously. i did some laundry and all of my christmas shopping too.

i haven't put makeup on in 12 days. bench life is amazing.

SAMSIESSS On both accounts (bench and immigrant parents)

lol yeah. When I work from home, my mom and grandma ask me to take them to the grocery store, to doctor's appointments, drop this and that off. They don't understand that we actually have work.

Not just immigrant parents- al friends/family are stupefied by the whole concept. I try to explain that it is not as great as it looks cause of the pressure.

I am always amazed when I hear things like this. It seems I'm busier w#hen not staffed than when I am staffed.

Benched now... in the office 4 days a week. Running tons of internal shit... stop being an ass and do some work to help move the group forward.

"....and then I got fired"

Hopefully you're doing more than just that on the bench?

My kid was conceived because of me being on bench. Yay to more bench time!

The concept of the bench makes it that much harder to explain this job to parents and other non-consulting people

Lol

P2 -exactly. I was recruited out of industry and no idea I'd have to find my own work and not one person in the interview process mentioned it, including the MD. Imagine my surprise!

I've been on the bench for 3 months now not doing shit. Yeah, I'll probably be laid off. But fuck it, until then, free money!!!

But question I've always had is..why is it our fault that we're on the bench when we didn't really sign up to find jobs ourselves, we signed up to consult for companies.

Can't count the number of times I had to explain to my parents that I still had a job and was still getting a paycheck😂😂

And to all All of you calling those who enjoy downtime on the bench as lazy need to chill out. If you want to survive the long haul in this gig, think marathon not sprint. It's not selfish to enjoy some downtime after grinding for weeks/months. In fact, your all the better for it because you've taken time to decompress and recover.

When I started in this industry, I spent almost 2 full years 100% billable AND doing reinvestment work on the side. Not worth the near burn out.

My friend said I was between jobs when I was on the bench. Like no, honey, just between projects. Still have a job 😂