Prior to the pandemic, I rarely, if ever, gave out my cell phone number professionally. I only gave it to clients  in limited cases. I never felt it necessary as my voicemail at my office is automatically sent to me via email. And I am constantly checking my email.

Covid-19 changed that for me. Since the NY Pause Order went into effect, my cell number appears everywhere, on my automatic signature on my email, my letterhead, and on my website. I have also freely given my cell phone number to clients, potential clients, adversaries as well as the court.

Now, armed with my cell phone number, I notice that people believe I am more accessible to them. My clients text me at all times of the day looking for a response, even at what would normally be after the close of office hours. For me, the question has become, in a pandemic is there even a time when you are not accessible? In other words, since most people know that I am working from home, is there currently a time when my office should just be closed?

A few weeks ago, I received a telephone call at 5:30 from a court referee asking if I was available for a “quick phone conference.” Pre-pandemic court conferences would never occur as spontaneously as that call. There would have been emails back and forth to schedule a time convenient for everyone involved. When I told the referee that I was at my next-door neighbor’s house she asked whether I minded running home for a few minutes to have the call as she knew my adversary was available. Feeling that I had no choice I walked home and participated in the conference call. Of course, the call was not quick, I then had to call my client and lost my time visiting with my neighbor.

Are you finding yourself more accessible professionally since the Pause Orders went into effect? How are you handling it?