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Definitely not a terrible partner, but you could just hit delay send, right? That way it’s off your plate but associates don’t get it til Monday?
That’s what I do! Write then schedule the send for Monday or even Tuesday unless we agreed to work on something over the weekend.
You’re not terrible. So for me, I appreciate the clear timing indicator, but depending on what it is, it can still occupy headspace. And if the week is already looking bleak one may be tempted to get a head start. Which either helps the week flow better or creates unnecessary weekend work. Would you waiting to send it out later be better? Not necessarily. And there is also a chance you’d forget and when you remembered it would be a rush job. People may suggest delayed send, but I wouldn’t depend on outlook on this scenario.
I would prefer more flexibility on my time, so would actually prefer the opportunity to get ahead if I want to do so
Super interesting perspectives on this. Thanks all. I don’t work with that many associates, so I’m thinking the best thing for me to do is just to talk to them and figure out if they have a preference on this.
I do this a lot, too, but I schedule send everything via email for the next business day at 8am. My staff knows I work best late afternoon/evening and so they know to expect things to come rolling in at 8am. This way, let's say I'm a5 the office working at 8pm, they don't get alerts that late in the day when they're home but first thing in the AM.
Just do delayed send. Don’t make the associate think about it all weekend long.
Chief
I think associates understand you're catching up on your email over the weekend. As long as you say something like "On Monday,..." I think this is fine (though, yes, it's preferable to send these on Monday.) I really try not to email paralegals and assistants over the weekend if I can help it.
Like seeing different perspectives here. Personally I think a weekend email is fine and you can have the first sentence be “do not start this until Monday - totally fine”. Spares me from the inevitable barrage of Monday morning emails.
Ugh just reading this gives me the sunday scaries. And if you talked to me about this I would lie about how comfortable I was.
I’d prefer to hear about it on the weekend than on Monday morning. That way I can decide when I want to work on it. For example if I have something I want to do on Monday evening I could get ahead and knock it out on Sunday. I would just note that “Nothing to do this weekend but on Monday….”
I think the fact u are asking is dope I wish more partners would do this. As an associate, I absolutely don’t mind getting emails on the weekend as long as the partner has made/ makes clear they don’t expect me to get on until Monday.
I’m puzzled why so many people are requesting that OP hit delay send. I don’t get stressed out by work emails on the weekend because there’s no way I’ll do work LOL it’s a boundary that i set (and I’m at big law) and worked so far. I like it when partners send me stuff in real time so I can spend maybe 10-30 seconds to scan and prioritize my upcoming days or a week. Many of my colleagues and friends think the same and while the intent is super appreciative, it’s not necessary and would much prefer the partner to channel that niceness to other mediums like providing feedback etc
I think delayed emails are best
Sometimes if I get things over the email it occupies headspace
As an associate, you send requests for help or assignments over the weekend, I will start working on them over the weekend.
If you truly don’t want your associates to work on your project over the weekend (or feel like they have to start working on them) then do a delayed send on the email.
I agree to a degree. If I can get advance notice that assignments are coming, I will always appreciate the heads up.
That said, my own compulsive tendencies will not allow me to truly ignore the future due date.
All that to say, if you send me a warning over the weekend saying that assignments will be due in a few days. I’m almost certainly going to start working on it
Honestly - if you’re clear that they don’t need to start work on the projects over the weekend and the associates can’t deal with that/get stressed/feel compelled to start anyway, that’s a problem with the associates that won’t be resolved until they learn to set boundaries. You’re being a s considerate as can be expected in a brutal industry and it’s on them to learn to set boundaries
Lol literally doing an assignment now bc the partner emailed me “do this asap” 🙄
Interestingly enough, I checked in with the three folks who I work with the most and like this discussion views were split. 2 said they’d prefer delay delivery if it didn’t need to be done over the weekend and 1 said they like the opportunity to get ahead.
Thanks for the update. How many associates identified the firm and sent in resumes to your group ;)
Just set your emails to go out on Monday morning at 9am.
Just do what is best for you. They will learn you don’t need it over the weekend and it gives them the chance to get started if they wish. As I have been told many times: “This ain’t no 9-5”.
No, you are fine. You could schedule send the email for Monday morning, but hopefully most associates can appreciate that you need to clear things off your plate when you can. (Also, having a shit ton of emails Monday morning without advance notice would probably also invite anxiety, so emails over the weekend might be the lesser of two evils.)
Pro
Lead your email with the timing on when you want it. And don't say Monday at noon, because inevitably you're going to create or add to a pile-up of Monday morning stuff for that associate, so you probably won't get it by then anyway.
Also consider delayed send. I'm one of those weirdo night owl associates who loses all productivity in the afternoon and then starts getting stuff done after 7pm, and I've found it is helpful for not looking like a psycho constantly emailing and responding to people after 11pm.
Pro
Make clear it’s for next week or do delay delivery. People get it. This game doesn’t stop playing for everyone on the weekends. I will work weekends when truly necessary or if I just need to alleviate anxiety of being too far behind. If it’s the latter, I will just delay delivery or make it clear to the team that I don’t expect an answer or any work done until next week or even later