Young lawyers forced to work through the night

amsterdam - Working in the City of London demands the utmost of people- trainees at a law firm have again experienced last week. Their boss sent them an e-mail on Friday at a quarter to five with the question if they could work through the night. Those who refused, had to provide 'proof' to legitimize the failure.

Eight London law firms, including big names like Clifford Chance and Baker McKenzie, promised a week ago that they would do more for the mental well-being of their staff. At one office that promise is worth nothing two days later: the branch in Tokyo needs help with a very important job, and whether the youngest servants can help out. The e-mail to that effect, sent by an 'associate', is in the hands of legalist journal Legal Cheek.

Within half an hour a message from a partner of the otherwise unnamed office will be sent to that first e-mail: those who can not work overtime must provide 'proof', such as 'details of other business appointments you have today, tonight and / or tomorrow. '.

A number of trainees responded to the bizarre request, and worked through Saturday night until half past five, Legal Cheek reported. They were back on Saturday morning at eight o'clock to finish the job. The partner who asked for proof has meanwhile been contacted internally on his e-mail.