Working Friday Evenings
What time are you guys getting off on Fridays? Every week get chained to the desk until 9 or 10 at a minimum, making it impossible to make any plans.
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Have to set boundaries and hard lines. Dont be afraid to say I’m leaving my desk at 6 for dinner, will get to it on Sunday. Since day 1 I was never afraid to set boundaries. Dont expect me to send you anything on a Saturday unless super urgent and after 6-7pm on a Friday, dont bother me. You be surprised how many people will respect that. I’ve never had a problem even during my first year. I think it’s very important to try your best to set some lines and enjoy your life. Work hard and do very good work so when that line comes close, they won’t cross it because they know when you do get to it, it’s going to be good since that’s the output you always put out.
May I ask context on your group (EB/BB, deal flow)? My group is pretty sweaty and has hardo culture (GS/MS) and I just don’t know if that would fly but might try lol
First want to start by saying that I in no way think the way I operate is the right way and the way people should work but this works for ME and I'm ok with any consequences that come with how I am, so far it's been perfect but I'm sure one day I will run into that one prick who has a problem with it, hopefully by then I'm senior enough and it doesn't matter. So proceed how you see fit.Im at a MM that ranks pretty well in the league tables considering it's a MM. I'm in ECM and yes I know ECM and coverage / M&A dynamics are different, but think it can be applied anywhere. Our deal flow is insane and Mon-Thur I dont stop till around 1am which I was told prior to Covid for ECM that never happens but I joined during Covid so this is the only norm I know. I work closely with a lot of coverage bankers and I set the precedent with every new MD I encounter. I'm not answering you if I see its not urgent on a Friday night or a Saturday. I think it would be hard if you tried to make a 180 out of no where and started setting those lines, I believe it has to be done early right when everyone meets you. Dont get me wrong, sometimes it's a Friday night and I am working late or I get up early Saturday to get some stuff across BUT that is rare and it's only for live deal stuff that is for early the next week.My advice is to anyone who joins banking no matter the group, set boundaries and if you are already in and want to try to set some, slowly but surely start to throw things here and there. Next Friday say hey I'm off to dinner at 7. Need anything before I go? Do that a few times, someone emails you on a Saturday and you see it's not urgent?Respond HOURS later. I personally dont think the extra 10-15k for being the top bucket guy who does nothing but work is worth it. Gotta have some type of life even if it's just for 1 night a week. But you have to make that decision for yourself. I still ranked top in my first full year because as I mentioned before, I have those lines but when I do the work, it gets done well and everyone can count on me to get it done even if they didn’t get an answer for a day or few hours.
I close my computer after 6pm on Friday and I'm a first year. You guys need to put your foot down. I'm sick of seeing people get stepped all over on here. Your role is a two way street. They need you too. You think I give a fuck about ranking? Morons sitting at home on the computer are making my entire salary in a week in this market. I'm here to collect a check and calculate my next move out of the wage cage. Your life is too short to be thinking otherwise.
Completely agree. I got off at 6:30 tonight, my MD emailed me around 7:30. Hes not getting an answer till Sunday and he knows that by now and he is happy with me. They need you too and want to keep you happy, so set those lines. Especially in a market like today, very easy to lateral. Put your foot down and get paid, the rest will come and will figure itself out
6-7 unless there is a firedrill (once every few months). If you get a request respond from your phone saying this received and will be turned tomorrow/this weekend depends on your group. There is absolutely no reason to work late on Fridays. Even more than Saturday.
You could always just convert to Judaism and pull the shabbat dinner card
OP here — Should have mentioned we have a Saturday policy
Technically protected from Friday night to Sunday morning (MM). Generally off by 8pm, occasionally 6pm if lucky but have definitely had fridays when I work past midnight. Still always very unpredictable and makes it incredibly tough to make plans…
Guessing we're at the same firm because everyone in my group is working until 10pm given Saturday policy. 7-8pm would be a lucky night
Gotta put your foot down. I just straight up say, I'm off to dinner at 6:30. And leave it at that
Depends on the firm, and MM ECM is a lot different than BB M&A. while I think Saturday policy is net positive it gives you less cover to leave early on a Friday. I'm almost VP, and if you are unresponsive you'll get about 5 phone calls from your MD and may hear about it from the staffer on Monday morning.
dude. i get it. sucks to not be able to make plans and absolutely blows to be sitting around just in case there’s comments. but playing devils advocate here it’s investment banking what did you expect? work life balance? this job isn’t hard you are legit paid to give up that stability
Just questioning why it’s necessary to blow up your analysts night to iterate a few pages of a deck one more time…
Not necessarily the amount of work but having to wait on my VP to get done with whatever they are doing and sign off before I leave
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