I told my firm two months ago that I am pregnant (due 11/11) I was already low on hours and we’ve had conversations on how I could progress. In the last month or so, I have done just that. They have now asked me to switch to a staff attorney position with 10% less hours with a corresponding 10% salary reduction (effective 8/1). While it would be nice to less hours with my first child, I am upset that they’re essentially demoting me right before my maternity leave. Thoughts on what I should do?

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Talk to an employment lawyer ASAP. While on maternity leave start looking for a new job

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Agree speak to an employment lawyer and start documenting the back and forth you have had with the firm. Print out emails, keep a journal, etc. Highly recommend Sanford Heisler Sharp for employment law, including pregnancy discrimination.

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Yeah I mean this hardly sounds right.

Yes to contacting a lawyer, but as a former biglaw associate who did a brief stint as an off track associate, their offer isn’t bad. My billable requirement was 200 lower than other associates but my salary was significantly reduced(100k ish for my year) and my bonus was peanuts, with no COVID bonuses. When I did work much more than my requirement (and more than the partnership track requirement) there was no true ups on my base or bonus.

So if you do consider doing it, make sure you get trued up on base and bonus if you work the standard hours. Also ask what standard raises are; mine were only cost of living adjustments which got old very quickly. Finally, I think it works better in some groups versus others. Some partners didn’t care that I had a lower requirement and they expected me to work 24/7 with a significantly reduced comp. and make sure that you’ll still be able to develop along with your laws year.

Thanks, everyone. I’m at a pretty big size firm and I’m just surprised that this is happening. I’ll definitely be reaching out to an employment lawyer and looking at what my other options are.

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