The managing partner of my firm just announced we’re moving from back to the office 2 days a month to 3 days a week and I’m pissed. None of the other partners were consulted about this decision and there’s just no reason for it given the type of law we practice. I do the majority of my work alone. I’m considering just ignoring this mandate. Has anyone done this? If so, were there any repercussions?

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You're an equity partner. Ignore it.

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We were told that our attendance would be measured when analyzing our “firm commitment” in year-end comp. I hate it, I hate everything about going into the office just to go into the office. I do excellent work, including mentorship and supporting/teaching associates, remotely. These are rules written by the old men in leadership who don’t have kids at home and/or don’t want to spend time with their wives.

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Hey - as a white dude in my 50s I resent that! 😎

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2 x month to 3 days a week is a huge jump. I’m surprised your mp made this decision without any partner input. I wonder if you and a few other partners can talk with the mp calmly and without threats about a better approach. If there are slacker partners who play solitaire while at home, those issues should be addressed directly. Bad facts make bad law and bad law firm policy.

If someone had said to me in 2019 that my small boutique firm could not only survive but thrive with everyone remote, I would have said no way. Having lived through it, however, my partners and I decided to let our lawyers and paralegals choose and our admin staff will be in office 2-3 days a week (maybe).

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Why don’t you tell your MP that everyone will genuflect via Zoom and see if he is will to reverse course.

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Our firm is also going from a flexible wfh policy to everyone in Tuesday through Thursday. It’s BS. I have been going in 1-2 days a week and I don’t plan to change course. They have threatened equity partners that an insufficient presence in the office will be considered when comp is set but I don’t care. I think they will only care for partners otherwise underperforming or who they want to punish anyway and I don’t think that is me, thankfully.

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That is good. Our comp has enough discretion built in that they can make trouble.

I'd play along at the beginning to see what happens. Chances are many others ignore, the policy is a failure and is abandoned. I don't like being an outlier and try not to use up political power for little benefit.

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quit or stop whining

likehelpful

Depends on how big your firm is to some extent. I have sympathy with his views as he has a firm to run (and it’s evident you’re out of the place most of the time so are presumably not involved in management). You can’t train juniors on 2 days a month and staff who do have to come in notice when partners are away a lot. The managing partner also has to ensure billings and expectations are met. Again, that often requires face to face contact.

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The vast majority of partners in my firm work remotely, even before Covid, while others like me go to the office as desired, which can be a few times a week or month. It feels good to be a real partner and make decisions for one self.

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Just here to say ugh. I would be so mad.

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