I want less out of career- why is that so bad?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm GC at a company, head of a small law department. You are in trouble if this is being brought up at your performance review. I'm going to give you some tough love here--if all you want to do is show up, put in your 9-5 and then leave, your company--your client, remember?-- is giving you a pretty strong signal that it's not ok with them. It would not be ok with me. I am all about flexibility--telework, leave at 5 on the dot to pick up your kids, cut out early if things are slow. But one thing I demand is that people CARE about the company and its legal problems, and sometimes that means responding to some emails on the weekend. There are literally hundreds of lawyers who would take your job in a heartbeat.

Yes, absolutely. What company does business in only one timezone anyway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I understand what you're saying, OP. But we're obviously not getting the whole picture here. You're a lawyer, and you're in a career that requires "bringing" your work home with you. I think that's the reality of it. Even when I don't bring a file home, I still sometimes think about my work when I'm laying in bed, or driving around. I can't help it, it's a thinking person's occupation. If checking an email or writing a quick memo on an occasional weekend is going to make your boss happy, I wouldn't sweat it. It won't hurt your child to see mom "at work" for a little bit during the day. But yea, if you're expected to log in for more than a few hours every weekend, then I completely get being upset.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it strange that your company/supervisor is checking whether you log on on weekends/after hours. Is this really a measure of performance?

I think what you and your supervisor need to is sit down and clarify a set of specific, measurable goals that you can achieve. How many times you login is not one of them. Given that you are a professional, he should trust you will achieve them an leave you be to do so as you see fit. That's how it works where I am.

You are obviously not a lawyer. How can you respond to queries if you don't log on to see them? Lawyers are paid for their time, among other things.

[Anonymous]

Not the OP, but the responses have given me something to consider. like OP, I was a major-go getter, although not in law. Loved my job, worked long hours, traveled. At some point about 6 or 7yrs ago, I started to slowly shift my priorities and cut back on my hours. Still full time, but not presuming that I'd be putting in 50-60hrs week.

Now as a mom, I place an even greater priority on my life time, as opposed to my work time. My job is okay, I'm really really good at it, but I don't love it. That being said, it's not that I want nothing out of my job. I'm invested in my clients' well being and care about their issues. When asked, I answer that what I want out of my job is to be recognized and called upon as an outstanding expert in my field. When my colleagues, staff or clients have a question or issue, I want to be the first person they think of when looking for a solution because I am that good. That's what I want. I am fully present and available when at work, and when I can, will shuffle my schedule to occasionally provide support outside of normal working hours. However, my boss knows that for now I'm not looking for a promotion or to take on additional management responsibilities. Luckily, my company values not just those who move up but also those who serve as experts in their particular function.

Right now, an up or out environment would not be right for me.

[Anonymous]

It's not so bad in a normal or good economy.

The reality is, times are tough and now is not the time to slack at work.

I'm a lawyer who has been unemployed for almost a year. Before I got laid off, I worked both full and part time over the years with two kids. Before having kids I was a working machine, but I did not keep my foot on my career gas pedal 100% when my kids were young because I just couldn't, with two little kids and a husband' who's job was also demanding, but I knew I would someday pay the price for that, and I did.

Now I would take your job from you in a heartbeat and I will work my ass off, including logging in from home, working evenings and weekends and so on. Because right now my kids 529s aren't getting funded, my house is not getting much needed repairs, I can't afford to go see my aging parents, and my sister is in the midst of a major depressive episode and can't afford therapy because she doesn't have health insurance, so I'm paying for it out of my unemployment. We are getting by ok thanks to savings and my husband's job, but times are tight and being a SAHM is boring me to tears. In sort, I'm hungry and ready to work. And there are lots of folks like me out there, and employers know it.

So yeah, in theory there is nothing wrong with not wanting to live to work. But you live in a world where other people's actions affect you.

[Anonymous]

Do any of you lawyers ever think about doing something else for a living? Not all, but so many of you sound just miserable. Life is short, you know!

[Anonymous]

12:37 are you in the DC area? Is it really that bad? I'm not an attorney. I am in a specialized field and am unhappy with several things in my job. I have been considering giving notice without finding another position right away. I'm burnt out and need a break. We can easily handle this financially, but what you are posting about terrifies me. I do not want 6 months out of the work force to turn into several years, depleted savings, no college funds, and delayed repairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do any of you lawyers ever think about doing something else for a living? Not all, but so many of you sound just miserable. Life is short, you know!

Of course, but no one will hire us. It's not like you can just waltz into a marketing job or IT job with a law degree you know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Had my yearly performance review last week and I am so disturbed. I work hard but absolutely refuse to log in during weekends. Manager asked me what I wanted out of this job and all I could think of was nothing. This is just a job for me. A source of income, that's it. I am happy where I am. I don't want a promotion. Why is that so wrong? I see my manager working insane hours even though she has a family and I don't want that. I have no desire to move up. My DD is only 2 once and I can't have more kids.

Unfortunately I was told I have to work to be promoted this year or out the door I go. Can't afford to lose this job so I guess I am getting pushed along by the rat race in DC. Hate this area and its crazy gogetters.

Well, it depends on what your job pays you. Seriously, if you make over $100k, I have little sympathy for you. The solution is to find a different job with different expectations but accept that you earn less income.

I make under $100k. I work hard while I am at work. I take pride in my work. Every now and again, I work on a Saturday or late at night (and I'm expected to do this). But for the most part, my job isn't my entire life. I have advanced degrees and am squarely white collar. My salary is very low by D.C. standards, but that is the tradeoff for not working 70 hours a week.

But if you make $150k and expect to coast, well, what do you expect? Your manager and your coworkers are going to view you as not pulling your weight but earning the same amount of money.

I have no problem with someone not wanting their career to be the center of their existence, but I do have a problem with people who say that but choose to work in a field where that kind of commitment is required and handsomely rewarded. My sentiment is that they want the high salary but not hard work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:12:37 are you in the DC area? Is it really that bad? I'm not an attorney. I am in a specialized field and am unhappy with several things in my job. I have been considering giving notice without finding another position right away. I'm burnt out and need a break. We can easily handle this financially, but what you are posting about terrifies me. I do not want 6 months out of the work force to turn into several years, depleted savings, no college funds, and delayed repairs.

Yes I'm in DC. Have great credentials and experience. I don't know your industry but would advise against quitting without another job. Its rough out here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's nothing wrong with how you feel but you're in the wrong profession, or at least the wrong office culture. Can you try legal counsel for a non profit?

lol. Here we go again, with the completely false perception that work at a nonprofit requires fewer hours, less dedication, etc etc etc.

I am the GC of the small legal department quoted above. Guess what? It's a nonprofit. A large, national nonprofit with lots of $$ at stake and a very important mission.

+1. And in may non-profits and other mission-driven workplaces, the hours can be pretty bad because the expectation is that you will give 150% for "the cause." I say this as someone who works for such an organization (have tons of flexibility but am on call all the time).

Get over yourself. I've done big firm and non profit. Of course I worked hard in non profit but that was way different from having billable hours. You know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any of you lawyers ever think about doing something else for a living? Not all, but so many of you sound just miserable. Life is short, you know!

Of course, but no one will hire us. It's not like you can just waltz into a marketing job or IT job with a law degree you know.

So go back to school and get trained for something else. Save your salary for a year and use it for this purpose if you have to. Stop whining. You chose this profession. You can choose to leave it too! The "golden handcuffs" argument isn't an excuse.

[Anonymous]

Um, I wasn't whining. I actually love practicing law.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any of you lawyers ever think about doing something else for a living? Not all, but so many of you sound just miserable. Life is short, you know!

Of course, but no one will hire us. It's not like you can just waltz into a marketing job or IT job with a law degree you know.

So go back to school and get trained for something else. Save your salary for a year and use it for this purpose if you have to. Stop whining. You chose this profession. You can choose to leave it too! The "golden handcuffs" argument isn't an excuse.

Wait, all I have to do is quit my job, move my husband and kids into a one bedroom while I save for tuition and additional day care payments for while I'm in school, accrue more student debt on top of the one that I'm already paying off, while I go to school for whatever it is that is a guaranteed job after graduation in this market (let me know what that is!).

Thanks for the advice.