Survey of Government Attorney Parents

[Anonymous]

DOJ Trial Atty

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?

Full time, 45 hour weeks if no hearings, 60 plus hour weeks when hearings (5-6 times a year)

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?

High to medium stress, challenged.

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?

Sort of. I like working, so I am in a better mood in that sense, but I am much more tired than I would otherwise be.

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?

They're fine

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?

No, I don't. I like what I do, and like the autonomy that I have.

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

I wish I had more time at home.

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?

Not sure. I don't want to work at a firm, but maybe an agency. It would have to be a competent agency, though. Years ago I was at an agency where the incompetence and politics made me angry and frustrated all the time.

[Anonymous]

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?

Full time, telecommuting only by permission, my stated hours are 9 to 5:30

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?

Low; rarely

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?

As opposed to the kind of father I would be if I was at a firm, for sure.

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?

They're good but not that great.

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?

Sure sometimes I am bored and wish for the money and travel, but mostly I'm glad I switched to govt. Of course, I make less than half of what I would make at a firm.

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

Yes. My only complaint is that I wish I could go in earlier or later at times without taking leave.

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?


Save more while I was at the firm.

[Anonymous]

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?


ANSWERS:
1) Like the others, I work FT. I have to work 40 hours a week but, for the most part, it's flexible. My agency has "core hours," so I usually work 7:30 - 4. I have been told that I can telework one day per pay period (my DoD agency is slow in coming to terms with flex plans) but, in all honesty, I have a nanny and don't feel like I could get much done at home. So, I come into work.

2) My stress level is average. The work is challenging and some of the timelines are tight but nothing I can't handle with a little organization. I do think that some of the stress I do struggle with could be alleviated if we had better technical support and equipment.

3) Yes. I took some time off (from a different, non-firm attorney position) to have two of my children. I was not the SAHM I thought I would be. So, I came back to this job and have the opportunity to stay flexible for my kids (i.e. present in parenting), while still getting to go to work.

4) I don't know. I think most firms would have great health/dental plans that you can easily pay for with a firm salary. The TSP is OK, but I would prefer a transferable 401K. I have no idea if I'll stay in the Fed long enough to retire so I don't count on FERS. Also, as I alluded to above, the hours are not as flexible as you think they're going to be and leave is not necessarily easy to take, depending on what time of year. However, everyone has been great if I have to go to a school function or sports game. It's just that I usually have to use leave to do it.

5) God no. Some of my best friends lost their souls to firms and, although they live in beautiful houses, they do not have the life I want.

6) Yes, I think I have it as good as I can expect for my specialty and for the pay grade I have. (which leads me to wonder -- why didn't I look into IP more?? Those PTO attorneys have it made!)

7) Not really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have some questions for government attorneys who are also parents and would really appreciate honest responses. I am considering trying to move to the government from a law firm. Of course, you don't have to answer all of the questions.

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?

I will answer for my husband:

#1. Full time. Impossible to work from home due to sensitivity of work materials. Some flexibility as to arrival/departure times, but when work needs to be done, it needs to be done.

#2. Currently not in litigation, so stress isn't bad. Work challenging and fulfilling. May change positions in the future.

#3. Coming from active duty military, able to be much more present as a parent, but still in Reserves, which takes up a lot of time.

#4. Benefits are expensive.

#5. Never. Intended to go that route after federal clerkship, went military instead, could never even think about firm work now.

#6. Very happy with the way federal job balances with family life. Commute and Reserve duty cause far more issues.

#7. No. This was an excellent decision, and we are very fortunate.

Wish you well, OP.

[Anonymous]

Regulatory attorney (in agency general counsel's office)

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Part-time
Do you ever work from home? one day/wk
How much flexibility do you have? reasonable amount, with supervisor approval, but don't make my own hours & must work scheduled hours or take leave (unlike private practice)
Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule? part time, 8:30-4:30 3 days/wk

(2) What is your stress level? very low
Are you challenged by your job? not really but I'm ok with it

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job? yes, I don't ever think about work when I'm not there and I don't miss school events, doctors appts, I stay home when kids are sick, etc.

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be? they're pretty darn good! except there's no real maternity leave, which sucks

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? NOOOOOOO! God, no.
Why or why not? Been there, done that. Never going back.

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)? Sure. Hate commuting 1hr+ downtown from 'burbs - makes for a 10-hr day - but otherwise it's a very good balance b/c of my PT schedule. If I worked 5 days/wk, maybe not so much.

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now? not really

[Anonymous]

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule? FT, relatively flexible schedule, 9:30-6:00pm but it is not set in stone I can come in a 8 and leave at 430 the next day.

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job? Good stress, very challenged.

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job? Yes, I can leave work at work and I dont have a constant throbbing HA.

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be? They are good.

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not? No, been there done that.

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?
As happy as possib;le when you have to work FT.
(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now? Yes but I am still owrking it ou tin my head.

[Anonymous]

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?

Full time, flex schedule. I work 3 days at home, 2 in the office one week per pay period; 2 from office, 2 from home, 1 day off the other week. I have a lot of flexibility. This varies greatly throughout my agency. Some supervisors don't allow telework (although management is encouraging everyone to allow and use it); some supervisors are extremely flexible, others aren't.

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?

Very little stress. No, I'm not challenged. I'm pretty bored with my actual work. However, I always remind myself that that's the trade-off for the tremendous amount of flexibility that I have, so it's worth it to me.

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?

Absolutely. I've never had to miss dinnertime (let alone bedtime), a school event, a birthday party, etc. because of my job. Also, when I'm off from work, I'm not expected to check e-mail/phone messages, so I can give all my focus to the kids.

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?

Medical benefits are great, the others aren't. Retirement from gov vs. firm depends on how much you earn and save at firm. At this point in my career, I'm better off financially sticking with the gov and retiring with FERS (assuming they don't make any drastic changes) than going to a firm and earning more money (unless it's A LOT more money and I save most of it).

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?

The only time I wish I worked at a firm is when it's time to pay the private school tuition bill!

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

Yes. I cannot imagine having a better work-life balance.

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?

I might not have gone to law school. Then again, my law degree gives me security, so I'm glad I did.

[Anonymous]

I'm an AUSA.

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?

FT. I work 40 hours a week when I don't have a trial coming up. When I'm in trial or preparing for trial (3-4 times a year), I work a lot of nights and weekends as well. Same is true for big indictments and motions hearings. Because of frequent meetings with agents and witnesses and court appearances, my job does not lend itself to telework.

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?

I'm quite stressed when I'm in trial, not much the rest of the time. My job is very interesting and challenging.

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?

I didn't have kids when I was at a firm, so I don't know for sure, but I doubt it makes much of a difference, given that I still think about work a lot outside of the office. However, I enjoy my job and feel like the work I do is important, which makes it much easier to leave my child every day.

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?

Not really. My benefits at the firm were better, but taking time off for vacation or a sick child is less frowned upon in my current job. I still don’t take much time off because of my workload.

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?

Sometimes. I could be making at least 3-4 times my current salary at a firm, but money is the only aspect of firm life that I miss.

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

For the most part. I’m not someone who could do well at a job that I didn’t care about, so the fact that I love my work is huge. I sometimes wish the periods of stress were less stressful or that my schedule was more flexible, but that would mean trading off the parts of my job that I really like.

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?

Not really.

[Anonymous]

(1) I am full time. We have the option to telework but I only do it as needed (appointment in the middle of the day or service person coming to the house). In theory I have an 8 hr a day schedule but I sometime stay late or work from home. I also have a blackberry and I check it but it all evens out bc I pretty much come and go as I please and time keeping in our office is on an "honor" system and no one really cares so long as you meet your deadline and do quality work.

(2) Less stressful than a law firm but not a walk in the park either; I am challenged bc I am in dealing with a new law - basicly implementing things from scratch. I may get dull in a few years?

(3) Yes, definately a better parent bc I feel no pressure to have face time and have complete flexibility to take time to so stuff with my kids?

(4) Health coverage is great and you get 401(k) matching. Note that there is no paid maternity leave?

(5) Sometimes I wish I were at a firm not because of the money but becasue the people are much more driven. Some of the people that I deal with are just plain lazy and unmotivated and that really infuriates me, plus it takes so much longer to get things done in government? I definately plan to head back to the private sector once my kids are senior in high school.

(6) Definately happy with work-life balance, but I think it is bc I just landed in the right group. We are a team of 12 and the boss is fairly hands off - which I personally love.

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now? - No

[Anonymous]

(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?
My hours are flexible.

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?
Stress level = medium but fluctuates depending on assignment. Like any job, some aspects are challenging, some are not.

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?
YES!

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?
They are wonderful benefits: healthcare, lots of leave and flexibilities.

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?
HELL NO.

All of this said, each agency is different. I am in the process of leaving one agency to go to another. The "old" agency is not at all conducive to working parents (or people who have lives other than work) and has been very rigid and old-fashioned on things like AWS and telework. New Agency is a model for both and for work-life balance.

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?

[Anonymous]

Curious . . . if you work from home, what is your agency? Mind sharing?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for your responses. They have been incredibly helpful.

One last question for those of you with flexible schedules, options to telework, or the ability to work from 7 to 3:30, etc: Did you negotiate this sort of schedule before accepting the job? Did you inquire about flexibility? Or did you just get in the door and then explore these options afterwards?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks so much for your responses. They have been incredibly helpful.

One last question for those of you with flexible schedules, options to telework, or the ability to work from 7 to 3:30, etc: Did you negotiate this sort of schedule before accepting the job? Did you inquire about flexibility? Or did you just get in the door and then explore these options afterwards?

I had friends in the agency so I knew the drill-- need to be here a year to telework but can do some alternate schedules (e.g. work 9 hours most days and take a day off every other week) immediately, but it all depends a fair amount on your supervisor.

[Anonymous]

Like the PP, I knew a few people in the agency already who told me that the time was right ask for telework. I waited until they gave me the offer though and when I recieved a positive response, I took the job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
(1) Are you part-time, full-time, flexible schedule? Do you ever work from home? How much flexibility do you have? Do you keep 9-5 hours or a different schedule?
My hours are flexible.

(2) What is your stress level? Are you challenged by your job?
Stress level = medium but fluctuates depending on assignment. Like any job, some aspects are challenging, some are not.

(3) Do you feel like you are a better or more "present" parent because of your job?
YES!

(4) Are the benefits all that they are hyped up to be?
They are wonderful benefits: healthcare, lots of leave and flexibilities.

(5) Do you ever wish that you worked at a firm? Why or why not?
HELL NO.

All of this said, each agency is different. I am in the process of leaving one agency to go to another. The "old" agency is not at all conducive to working parents (or people who have lives other than work) and has been very rigid and old-fashioned on things like AWS and telework. New Agency is a model for both and for work-life balance.

(6) Are you happy with your job and home life (and so-called work-life balance)?

(7) Is there anything that you would do differently knowing what you know now?

I think it's hilarious that you are touting an agency that you haven't even started working for yet as a model for work-life balance. Maybe it'll work out great for you, but I'd reserve judgment until after you've actually worked there.