Part Time Quiz — Answer to question 5
7. Before an attorney begins to work part-time at my firm
If your firm has a real part-time program, your answer is,
b: she or he sends around an email telling the other attorneys in the firm her or his new working hours.
Typically, attorneys and their supervisors are given no training in how to make a reduced hours schedule work. Each may have different expectations and fears or prejudices may prevent him or her from communicating the expectations. We hear many stories of great part-time schedules that turn into nightmares because of a lack of communication.
At some cutting-edge corporations, training related to alternative schedules is incorporated into diversity training to ensure that co-workers who are on full-time schedules understand the issues for part-timers and donít feel resentful or unwittingly make life difficult for the part-timers. At these same corporations, individuals about to embark on a reduced hours schedule are given close support and supervision in designing a part-time program that will meet their needs and the business need of their employer. Details such as technology and flexibility for emergencies are also worked out ahead of time.
If similar training cannot be provided at your firm, answer c meeting with an advisor, is better than nothing.
