Can PT ever really work in law?

[nappiesandcontracts]

Currently doing 4 days a week and it's just not working. Find myself checking emails on my NWD and logging on to do 3-4h in the evening after the kids are in bed and catching up at the weekend. My firm are super supportive of flexible working but at the same time, it's basically impossible to scale back my job by 20% and when we've got a completion on I can't just be unavailable for a day. Considering going FT but would miss the time with the kids, but at the same time trying to do PT means I'm constantly knackered and to be honest not always the most "present" mum on my NWD when I'm bribing them with TV and snacks while answering emails etc. Wondering if there's another PT working pattern I should consider or if that's just shuffling deckchairs. Would love to hear thoughts/advice from anyone who's in or who has been in this position.

Thanks to all the posters for your input. Lots to think about. I think it's definitely true that I could/should be more strict with my NWD in terms of managing client expectations but sometimes it's just unavoidable. If a document lands in my inbox at 8am on my NWD that needs turning round quickly for a completion sometimes a 24h delay is genuinely too long. I think it really boils down to the question of flexibility- is having a NWD (even if it means checking emails, working after the kids are in bed on my NWD and catching up at the weekend) worth the 20% drop in salary and the stress of planning for that absence each week. I'm starting to think it probably isn't...

I guess it’s so hard because everyone is very much under the kosh, but do you have a buddy you could send something like that to? A PA to monitor your inbox. Bottom line being if you didn’t look at your inbox what would happen?

Speaking as someone who briefly switched to a psl role for work-life balance, my advice would be only to do this if that sort of work actually appeals. I was used to working on deals and, while the hours associated with that are long, it can be exciting and stimulating. Once I stopped working on deals, I realised that it was that excitement and the commercial side of law that I enjoyed, much more than the technical detail.

It was also an eye-opener about how some lawyers (and even trainees!) treat non fee-earners.

I do this, it works really well and I can always pick up urgent stuff in the evening.

im 4 days but if a project really goes overboard on the overtime I always take some time in lieu when I next take holiday.

I'm not in law but prof services. I work in a live project role and finishing on a Wednesday not back until Monday just doesnt meet client expectations. When I was 3 days a week, I was doing 5 days work condensed or I'd have a shit show to come back to on the Monday and I was always a two phone wanker on Thursdays and Fridays.

It's actually less stressful being full time, I can manage my expectations better.

Can you work full time, get paid part time, but use that to earn extra holidays instead? So you take the days off as a full week instead?

The OP is talking about a 4 day week, not 3, which is really hard in a client facing role (I did it for 2 years)

Yes I think I would miss the buzz too. Also have no problem with dealing with clients and billing etc which I know some people hate (and would make back office PSL role appealing). Just wish it was possibly to genuinely do a 3 or 4 day week!