In a recent social media post, lawyer Ayushi Doshi expressed surprise at a junior associate’s request to arrive late at work after staying late to finish his tasks the previous day. This post quickly ignited discussions around workplace expectations and work-life balance, with many rallying behind the junior’s approach to managing his time.
Doshi shared a screenshot of the message her junior had sent, explaining he would be arriving late the following day due to an extended shift that ended at 8:30 pm. In her caption, she commented, “I can’t believe my junior sent me this. Today’s kids are something else. He stayed late, so now he’s going to show up late to the office to ‘make up’ for it. What a move! I am speechless.”
I can’t believe my junior sent me this. Today’s kids are something else. He stayed late, so now he’s going to show up late to the office to “make up” for it. What a move!🫡🫡 i am speechless mahn. pic.twitter.com/iNf629DLwq
— Adv. Ayushi Doshi (@AyushiiDoshiii) November 12, 2024
The message read, “Hi sir and ma’am. I will be coming tomorrow at 11:30 am because I am currently leaving the office at 8:30 pm.” Doshi went on to clarify her viewpoint in the post, mentioning that the junior was given a three-day deadline to complete a task that typically takes a day. While his hours were 10 am to 7 pm, she explained that he needed only an additional 1.5 hours to meet the deadline. However, she added that she felt his time was not fully utilized due to phone distractions, which contributed to the need for extended hours.
Doshi’s post attracted a mixed reaction, with some supporting her stance but many others advocating for better work-life balance. One user commented, “Choice 1: To not force junior work late and be a good human. Choice 2: Force to work late and then post on Twitter to get likes.” Doshi replied, noting, “Choice 3: Work late, tweet insults, then wait for the likes from people who’ve never met a deadline in their life.”
Others shared a different perspective, pointing out the value of flexible working hours. “Maybe he’s trying to make sure he’s as productive as possible without burning out. Younger employees sometimes bring a refreshing perspective on how to maintain efficiency without compromising their well-being,” one user wrote.
Some highlighted how the legal profession often normalizes overtime. “Our profession has made this toxic exploitation the norm. There is nothing wrong with what your junior is expecting. You pay him for the hours he puts in, not for the draft. If his hours don’t qualify as good enough, then YOU hired the wrong junior,” wrote another.
In an era where work-life balance is increasingly valued, this incident has sparked renewed discussions about respecting employees’ time, especially when they go beyond regular working hours to meet deadlines. For many, the junior’s approach serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable work practices.
