How do you respond to getting called out for low billable hours? Had a come to Jesus call and I mean I get it, my hours are low, but now I'm getting follow up emails. I don't know how many times I can say I understand. Is there something else they're looking for me to say or are they just hounding me to hound me?

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this happened to me during my annual review a couple of weeks ago - I just had to point out my efforts in non-billable and pro bono work, all the CLEs and other training I’ve done, ALSO told the reviewers how often and who I’ve been asking for work. As associates (esp if you’re a junior), we don’t generate our own work, so if you’re not getting enough, it isn’t your fault unless you’re not trying to fill your plate by asking for work.

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I’m in the same boat as A1. It’s frustrating to be called out on it when you’ve been doing so much to heighten the firm’s visibility. Makes me want to turn the tables and be like, well I did all this for business development, partners, why didn’t you bring in the clients?

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The above comments are exactly right. My firm has always said as long as you’re consistently asking for work, low billables can’t be your fault since we don’t generate our own work

likesmart

Are you being proactive about getting more work? Reaching out to people, and even offering to get involved in pro bono and/or non billable projects if no billable work is at sight? Have you reached out to your coach/counselor or your partner to discuss ways for you to improve? They’re trying to make sure you have work and you have to do your part to get more involved. Action on your part is key now, especially with layoffs still happening. To me, this sounds like they’re giving you the chance to improve before they put you in the ‘low performers’ basket (and eventually in the street if you don’t at least make an effort to move your billable hour amount up).

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Curious, how low is low?

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How long have your hours been low?

Sometimes low hours is not your fault at all. Some possible reasons: the firm is really slow, you are new to the firm, people staffing cases don’t your availability, people expect your hours to ramp up, or you’re coming from a leave or longer gap.

Other times, low hours reflects that people don’t want to work with you. Once you get certain reputations, it becomes harder to staff you on matters. Also, as you get more senior, if you haven’t picked up certain skill sets, it’s harder to staff you on cases warranting your billable rate.

If hours are down in the short term and/or many of your peers also have low hours, I would say it’s nothing to worry about. If you’re alone in being this slow, then I think you should be looking to rectify this situation as proactively as possible and also thinking about a backup plan.

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And, in terms of how to respond, I would apologize for the lull in hours. If there is some legitimate explanation, you can provide it. And then offer a plan to get your hours in line over the next few months. Maybe you can take on another case or take on more work in the cases you are on. (Some of that may be out of your control.) Apart from that, do your best to immediately improve your hours, bill daily, and think about a back up plan.

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