Looks like the folks in the Los Angeles office of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy need a lesson in manners — at least that’s what some at the top think. Yesterday an internal email was sent out from “LA Management” to the whole office advising them of the proper way to behave in the office. A tipster writes:
Seemingly, the office wasn’t working in a “respectful and courteous manner,” so we needed a few reminders of how to “help everyone have a great experience” in the new office space (please see screengrab for details). [Full email is on the next page.] Urging us to adapt to a “new way of working,” because “we have a lot of glass” was one of the most laughable highlights of the memo.
So what tips are so urgent and not obvious to professionals working in a shared space that they had to be sent to the whole office?
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Keep noise and distractions to a minimum
Close door if on speaker phone or talking with others
Use headset or handset as an option
Keep cell phones on silent or vibrate
Music or other sounds should not be heard by others in your area
I wonder if this applies to partners who feel the need to scream at underlings at regular intervals? We know those people are usually above the rules.
I also hope associates ignore the low-music mandate when they’re working late nights. When you’re stuck working into the wee hours of the morning, the faint sounds of music from an office all the way down the hall can be comforting; after all, it’s proof you aren’t the only one wasting your youth in service to Biglaw.
Be tidy and keep work area clean and organized
Do not remove furniture, chairs, plants, etc., from other offices/conference rooms
Unisex Restrooms are used by everyone. Please clean up after yourself so everyone can enjoy a clean restroom
Yes, don’t be slobs. Does this need to be said? How bad do the restrooms at Milbank Los Angeles look? I’d love to see the pictures of the dirty space that necessitated an office-wide email. Or, maybe someone is just overreacting…
So Milbank associates, what’s the deal? Was this email necessary? Are you all a bunch of pigs? Drop us an email and let us know.
You can read the full email on the next page.
Kathryn Rubino is an editor at Above the Law. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).