Vacations. I used to dread taking vacation because of what I would come back to. The number of emails that need my attention, the amount of work that has piled up while I was away almost made going on vacation not really worth it. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who would think that, but I’m sure glad that we have policies and procedures in place so that when I’m off vacationing, my work won’t pile up.
I know I’m not the most important person in the firm, (edit by Inga: she actually is the most important person in the firm) but working in a small office really does limit how much you can pass off to another person in your absence. That said, our office ensures that everyone can take their time off and know that it won’t be a disaster coming back.
What are some ways that we do this?
Every Monday, the lawyers, paralegal and law clerks have a meeting to discuss workflow and tasks that each of us are working on. This ensures that everyone is aware of what each other is doing and jump in to assist when someone else does not have a lot on their plate.
Another thing that we do, when possible, is make sure there are at least 3 of us in the firm that know how to do a certain task, such as opening files, performing searches, incorporating, filing, and banking. Having just one person able to do those certain tasks can really hold up the flow of work and make returning from vacation not the best.
While there are certain things that do get left for me for when I return, these are not things that would hold up a matter, and really is for a matter of convenience, and coming back from vacation is no longer a dread.
This blog is pretty fitting, because as I write this, I’m getting ready for to be gone for a week, and I will not be dreading the first day back in the office.
Christine Allan, Senior Law Clerk