What’s the best way to “lean out” as a fed atty?

[Anonymous]

FOIA not stressful? Are you in a micro-agency PP that gets no FOIA requests? Because that the only place I’ve seen FOOA be somewhat easy, until the public discovered the agency that is.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, smaller agencies without many or any political appointees can be lower key as long as management is ok.

[Anonymous]

Take a lot of sick leave. 2 days here, 3 days here…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, smaller agencies without many or any political appointees can be lower key as long as management is ok.

In my experience, smaller agencies are worse because you are closer in line to political appointees.

Also, I agree with the PP who talked about a woman who successfully leaned out saying she didn’t get the best assignments.

If you want to lean out, do crappy work - but then you’re likely to complain that you are bored, aren’t respected, get crap assignments, have no visibility or promotion potential, have no prospects to go anywhere because you don’t have a decent reference.

How about figuring out what you’re good at, what you like, figuring out how to get there and then do the work and not worry about how you can lean out?

Jeez, 15 years is a long time.

[Anonymous]

For me it was declining a manager role.

[Anonymous]

The best way is to work 40 hours a week unless you absolutely have to. I’m not an attorney but work with some and unless there’s a deadline or litigation, they don’t work more than 40 hours a week. You gotta ask for reinforcements early annd often to managers if a task or matter gets or might get too big.

Also, volunteer for tasks but not for all. Let things come to you rather than seeking them out

[Anonymous]

Look for a GCs Office. My spouse went to one after over a decade in litigation and it has been easy to lean out. When she’s in the office she does her 8 hours and leaves and doesn’t check email once home. Her boss knows she can reach her if needed after hours, but those calls are pretty rare. She uses every bit of her annual leave and doesn’t stress over taking half a day or a full day of sick leave for her doctors appointments or the kids’, even if they only tie her up for an hour or 2. She’s still excellent at her job and gets fabulous reviews but she does not need to go above and beyond. It’s kind of impressive especially given what a workhorse she was during the litigation years.

[Anonymous]

You could be in my office, probably not, but similar dynamic. Some stuff is really high profile and crazy busy. If so, try to get assigned to less high profile work. Maybe switch groups within your office. Do a detail to an adjacent area and check that out.