Is asking to work a four-day week when I qualify as a solicitor too much of a risk?
I am a trainee solicitor at a law firm in the City of London and would desperately like to work a four-day week when I qualify – but I wonder if I’m jeopardising my chances of being kept on by requesting this.
I like my job, but after nearly two years in a (friendly, collegiate) law firm I see that partnership is not for me. The stress and long hours are just not worth it, and as people get more senior there seems to be less law and more management of people and bills. As odd as it sounds, I feel I’m paid far too much and I would rather work less in exchange for more time to pursue my interests.
I think I am well liked by the teams I’ve worked with, and the fact that I am a few years older than the other trainees, with previous work experience (running a small business, editing, paralegal work) means I am able to take on more work than my peers and lead in some matters.
In addition, my firm has a heavily publicised commitment to flexible working for staff – although I’m not aware of anyone as junior as me making use of it.
Come qualification, I will need to apply to particular teams for a position, as will all the other trainees in my intake. I am concerned that making an application on the basis of a shorter working week will put me at a disadvantage. Applying on the usual basis and requesting flexible working soon after feels deceptive. I’m not at all sure how to proceed – or should I just stick it out for longer?
Jeremy says
I’m sure you’re right to steer clear of applying to teams on the usual basis and then almost immediately trying to negotiate a shorter working week. It would certainly be deceptive and any team that took you on would have every right to feel cheated – even if it was perfectly workable at a practical level. And it’s this workability angle I think you need to give the most thought to.
If it’s true that being open about your interest in a four-day working week would put you at a disadvantage, it’s worth trying to understand why. Is it mainly a psychological thing? Do full-time colleagues, who often work late nights and weekends, automatically assume that anyone wanting to work a four-day week must somehow be less serious and less committed? Particularly when, like you, they are at the very start of their careers. If that’s the case, then you’ll certainly be at a disadvantage compared with your fellow trainees.
On the positive side, it’s good that your firm has a well-publicised commitment to flexible working. At the very least, it’s evidence that its corporate culture is not a manically macho one and is enlightened enough to see flexibility as providing benefits for both the firm and its employees.
On balance I think you should apply to those teams with whom you’ve already worked well. Make it clear you’d prefer a four-day week; acknowledge that this might raise questions about your ability to cover the work, and then show in practical detail how you would make sure that this was not a problem.
This combination of absolute openness and professional thoroughness must be your best option. And it doesn’t close the door completely if they say that they would be happy to take you on – but only on a full working week.
Readers say
• As you probably know, qualification is not a “given”. Also, it is far easier to move jobs as a one- or two-year qualified lawyer than a NQ. I would keep quiet. In relation to whether or not this is deceptive – you will not know whether it is possible to work a four-day week in the department in which you qualify until you actually work as a qualified lawyer there. Client demands are rarely respectful of you not being at your desk when required.
Having said that, many law firms are more respectful of flexible working – I just think that you need to prove yourself worthy and prove that you can make it work.
I did a four-day week for a while in transactional law and it didn’t work – I was effectively working five-plus days and only being paid for four. mroli
• In pretty much any career you choose, the work gets less interesting as you end up managing people rather than the work. It’s not just in law – the consolation is the money. vidvans
• Flexible working does not necessarily mean working fewer days – it can mean working five days over four days, or 10 days over nine. Alternatively, you may want to try job sharing. jacob123
After 20 years I’m being forced to take a lower wage – or face redundancy
I am in my mid-50s and have worked for a large organisation, which is a very good employer, for more than 20 years. I now have the choice between taking a redundancy offer and taking a new role with my current employer with less responsibility, a lower salary and fewer benefits. Several friends of my age have really struggled to find their next job when changing employer. What choice would you and your readers advise?
Jeremy says
If there’s an obvious answer to your question, I’m afraid I don’t know it. Perhaps some readers will. All I can urge you to do is think through the consequences very carefully. What effect, for instance, would accepting this new role have on your pension? On the other hand, how would taking the redundancy offer affect your pension? And what’s your predicted retiring age? Are you planning to work for just another five years or so, or for longer?
With 20 years at this company behind you – a very good employer, you say – it could be that the size and security of your pension are the determining factors.
But before you make this irrevocable decision (and I do hope you’ve been given some reasonable time for consideration) I urge you to sound out the job market as carefully as you can. It’s true that finding a new job at your age may not be easy – but it’s certainly not impossible. And you just could find one that gave you real satisfaction.
One last and slightly more adventurous thought. Do you have the skills that would allow you to go freelance? If you’re good with numbers, for example, offering to help small local businesses with their financial affairs (and with the reassuring cushion of a redundancy payment behind you) could be an interesting if riskier option.
There are so many self-employed people these days, and so many small start-ups, that your 20 years’ experience could be more valuable to more people than you may previously have thought.
Readers say
• Unless you have all the right contacts to be self-employed, or a path to another job, don’t leave. Take a pay cut if you have to. Then use your spare time to find another job. It’s really easier if you’re in work. EnviroCapitalist
• Nobody can provide firm advice. Go with your gut feeling. Borgia
• Consider your need for money, the effects of different actions on your pension and what will be best for your mental health. Sadly it is the situation of many – young and old. ebbandflow
Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or reply personally.
