Saturday, December 18, 2004
His comments reminded me that many law firms have policies that no vacation time can be taken during the holiday season. In the last firm where I worked, this meant only that ONLY department supervisers gave themselves time off. The plebian staff had to soldier on...
So much time is spend on circulating boxes of candy and trays of sweets, it is difficult to get any work done. So why not allow employees some time off to finish their Christmas shopping. I worked at one place that allowed each person on support staff a half-day off for shopping -- but not the staff lawyers!
Of course, all employees should get the same flexibility no matter their religion or lack thereof.
Also, very little productive work is accomplished in the week between Christmas and New Years. So why is there not more flexibility about time needed for family committments (such as hitting the after-Christmas sales)?
Well, check Murphy's article for ideas that might help YOU.
Work and holiday stress
Thursday, December 16, 2004
The Resilience Factor by Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte
From the country's preeminent resilience research team, psychologists Karen Reivich and Andrew Shatte. This book is superb. With an impressive integration of theory and research, it offers seven practical strategies that have been proven to increase people's capacity to overcome adversity, negotiate daily obstacles, and bounce back from life-altering events. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
From an Interview by JD BLISS
JDB: Based on the career path you’ve followed, what advice would you give to attorneys who find themselves dissatisfied with the practice of law?
Frink-Hamlett: I think the first thing they need to do is ask themselves just why they are dissatisfied. The career changes I’ve made have never been out of dissatisfaction with my work as an attorney – I’m still an active member of the bar in New York and New Jersey, and can see myself returning to practice someday. I followed my own interests and challenges, as a way to remain associated with the legal profession. It’s not enough to say you’re unhappy in the law; you should ask if you’re unhappy because the work isn’t challenging, or the hours are too long, or some other clear, definite reasons. Once you decide why you’re unhappy, decide what you’d really like to do, and begin searching for an environment that meets your criteria. Be prepared to make some changes and take some risks. If you’re truly unhappy or dissatisfied, that’s the only way you can start to make things better for yourself.
Katherine Frink-Hamlett can be reached at 201-357-8975. Her firm's website is at http://www.frinkhamlett.com.
