Asking for a weekend of WFH as an intern
I’m a summer analyst at a BB that’s in-office, which is great. I would really like to work from home (personal reason) on the Friday and Sunday of one weekend in July, and I was wondering whether you all think that this would be an acceptable ask or not. For context, this is the only time I ever plan on working from home during the internship.
If so, how would you recommend I go about asking? Also, is a week in advance good timing, or should I wait until a day or two before the Friday?
You can, will I say yes? Maybe. Will I give you an offer? No. MDs will think like this, not great I know but it is what it is. You have 9 weeks to prove yourself in an infinite pool of motivated candidates, why would you take such risk?
This is inaccurate, that's not how MDs think (and MDs will not really work with you closely, so offer decision is mainly based on reviews from Analysts, Associates and VPs you work with). If people in the team like you and you do a good job you will get the offer regardless of whether you take the day WFH or not. Agreed that if they are undecided this can sway the odds against you though.
Would you say this also applicable for having to leave your internship 1 week early (starting 1 week early though) due to exams?
You knew the time frame when you accepted the job, changes to start and stop dates were decided then.
Exams are fine, I know people that had to do them during the internship and everyone understood.
I think it’s fine ... nobody cares, most likely MDs won’t even know his name.. and as an analyst personally I wouldn’t care, especially as people may not even be in the office anyway... also, seriously, don’t come to the office on Sundays unless you want to - no weekend facetime please
was not talking about the sunday - Friday is the issue imo, don't know 100% about the US but in the UK it's frequent to have socials with interns on fridays in the office (pizzas, cookies etc) so you'd be missing out on that and it does not always look great that's my view that's all. Respect the view from others, I agree that as an analyst I could not care less.
Give your team more than a week of notice when you ask. Then remind them again a few days before. It also wouldnt hurt to put it in your calendar as well.
When asking, just say it's for personal reasons - I'm sure they'll understand. If they're being assholes about it, would you actually want to be on a team that has crappy culture where you can't ask for WFH well in advance? Just my two cents.
Tbh I wouldn’t even send a calendar reminder, just tell his Analysts the eve before - it’s not like his office attendance is essential to the firm ... we’ve all been working WFH for a year and was just fine
Shouldn't be a problem. Just talk to your staffer and emphasize you have a home setup and will do a full day of work.
MDs barely know who the interns are so don't worry about that. Communicate with your teams (especially analyst/associate) but as long as you're answering emails no one will care.
Personally I would say absolutely not. You have 10 weeks to prove yourself, and this might rub people the wrong way. Asking for this has very little upside, but pretty significant downside (no offer). Some of the analysts probably don’t want to be in the office and prior to pandemic, WFH was barely even acceptable on weekend or late at night. Some intern asking for WFH on Friday is going to come across tone deaf.
If you have an important family event on Friday (graduation/wedding), just say what it is and ask for the time off and offer to work extra hard on Saturday. People are reasonable, but if you just ask to WFH on a weekday it’s going to reflect poorly on you.
Hmmm... are you from the US or London? My firm has an in person programme too, but tbh I would be surprised if the interns had to come every day. Less than 20% of people are coming to the office right now, I think if we reach 50% this summer that would be impressive
You want one day of WFH out of 10 weeks and you are worried about asking and the repercussions... This is what is wrong with this industry lol. I would say 100% absolutely this is a reasonable ask and would give 10 days notice then Wednesday-Thursday remind the people that you work with that you won’t be in the office on that Friday. If you really feel that you will be penalized heavily for this extremely small request then I would say this might not be a place you want to work full time anyway.
Edit: Just to clarify, I am in no way saying you are wrong for asking the question or being nervous about WFH as a summer analyst. I am commenting on the fact that some see it as hurting your chances on a return offer and/or you being seen in a negative light from WFH on a Friday.
The fact that each response above flips back and forth is all you need to know. There is a risk in doing this and if you are dead set on getting the offer, it may or may not be worth it based on your personal situation.
It may make sense to ask an analyst, associate or even fellow intern that you're close with so you can get feedback.
You could always say you're not feeling well and offer to work from home to finish your work.
Any firm that won't give you an offer for taking one day wfh after a global pandemic where everyone wfh for a year is not a bank or organization i would want to associate with.
It’s easy to talk like this as an associate who has already broken in. The industry is way too competitive for interns to not get a return offer and then pick a group with a better culture unless that intern has serious connections.
A return offer will only depend on this if they're looking for a reason not to give you an offer.
The fact that this thread exists is the reason I hate this industry... That said, I have no intention of getting out as this is the only place I can make six-figures performing menial tasks and browsing the internet half the day.
Live your life and take the day off man. Don't listen to the needle-dicks in this thread who are probably also afraid to walk away from their desks for 10 minutes.
If you get dinged for doing something like that, then you shouldn't want to work in that type of environment. The only time I have ever had an issue with something like this is if the intern was taking multiple weekends off in a row (had an intern once that felt like he / she was unavailable half of the weekends over the summer). If it's one time, then there shouldn't be any issue with this.
I don’t think a group looking down on this is any indication of bad culture. You’re an intern and you only have 10 weeks to prove your ability in a highly competitive industry. The bar is really low for interns and you really just need to show a desire to learn and ability to roll up your sleeves. I think asking for a Friday to WFH runs counter to both of these criteria. You’re already essentially deadweight as an intern and learning anything while working from home is significantly harder. I would think that an intern would be excited to be in the office to be able to grab coffee with analysts/associates, ask an analyst to teach them something if they’re not busy, and being able to ask questions face to face for anything you’re stuck on. You lose all of this if you WFH and you’ll just be even more of a deadweight IMO. This is an apprenticeship model and most analysts look forward to teaching interns / grabbing coffee when they have the time.
IMO, I would be highly concerned of an intern asking to WFH on a weekday. Not because there is anything wrong with it, but because it’s a highly competitive industry and I think doing so would squander and opportunity to network and learn the skills needed for the job.
You don’t know what people will remember at the final round table, but if they need to cut one person at the end and what comes to mind is “analyst X was okay but was always excited to learn and proactive in meeting the team while analysts Y was good but asked to WFH on Friday rather than socialize with the team” I think you know who is going to get cut...
Get the f out of here. We have been wfh for a damn year. If this dude wants to take one day its fine no one cares.
If they do they are a mega dick, you won't want to work for them trust me.
Isn't every firm rotating wfh anyways? Op I doubt you are allowed in office everyday. Hybrid model is likely the new norm.
Tell. Don’t ask. Jesus.
“I will be available X weekend but I will be working from home, etc…”
Do you really want to work somewhere FT where you can’t even ask to WFH on the weekend?
It’s not actually expected of anyone to come to the office on weekends, is it ?
my firm is quite chill about office presence, but I think if anyone required me to facetime on weekends I would change firms rather quickly
Pre COVID everyone was in the office at least one full weekend day at my firm. Not facetime (no seniors there) but certainly there 6-10 hours minimum
Voluptatem sit sit voluptatibus beatae. Omnis ipsa expedita molestiae velit facere in sed earum. Et maiores est impedit velit beatae sint atque quasi.
Necessitatibus ut suscipit iste labore voluptatem minima totam enim. Officiis aut expedita vero sint. Voluptatum quia dicta placeat et exercitationem et. Ex assumenda quas accusantium ea soluta. Perferendis et magnam unde suscipit eveniet earum atque.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Aperiam hic quibusdam quod dolor nihil quas quasi. Tempora est natus amet quos libero beatae.
Non voluptatem deserunt explicabo temporibus velit dignissimos vero voluptate. Illum et placeat autem. Fuga tempora voluptates quia eveniet repellat itaque et. Illo quidem nesciunt vitae neque aut consequatur soluta optio. Molestias vel ea repellat tenetur. Ut voluptatum minus ipsum velit vero laudantium autem.