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I am currently recruiting for a number of critical roles at START Treatment and Recovery Centers in NYC .
workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=c58607d4-2b95-4715-834d-b3deab740f49&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US
Please feel freeto call me at 718-260-2940 or email at wmohammed@startny.org to discuss these opportinuites.
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Law firms are full of people who lack empathy. They are nasty locked down environments that breed competitiveness and lack of trust. The exception is if you happen upon a great senior partner. I would move if I were you and work towards doing contract work if possible it’s better paid and you don’t get involved in this nonsense. You can also seek part time work and on your day away work out how you can work towards being your own boss - it might not be in law but you will have the headspace to work out what.
If it makes you feel any better, I hit my hours at a new firm for several months, but then got cancer and saw my productivity dip. When I returned after surgery with a doctor’s note suggesting I needed a ramp up period for a month, they made me go on a reduced schedule at a pay cut for the month and intimated that they were doing me a favor by offering this option because my past track record of low hours leading up to my surgery made me look unreliable.
I am so sorry. I believe forcing you to work less (or take leave) for a perceived disability violates employment laws.
I was essentially told during the review I need to learn to balance my life with work.
Sounds to me like this job is not a fit with you and they are setting you up to let you go. In your shoes I would polish up your LinkedIn and your resume and start job hunting NOW.
PS do not put "open to work" on your LinkedIn, even in the mode that's only visible to recruiters. But do your utmost to make your LinkedIn look awesome, and then pay for LinkedIn premium for a few months while you're actively searching and click the option (LinkedIn will ask) that says you're casually looking or whatever it's called, so LinkedIn will make your profile more prominent to recruiters.
How low? Obviously if your target is 1850, and you bill 1700, moving to a lower track seems strange. But if you billed 1300/1400 when your target is 2000, that may be different. Is the lower hours track bonus structured such that if you hit your old hours requirement, you'd make the same as your peers on the higher hours track who hit that number? If not... That seems odd...
The firm may not have enough work, and this is an excuse to pay you less.
I would look elsewhere. You’ll probably make more.
Also, consider FMLA leave if you qualify.
Does anybody think it’s worth it to propose an alternative where I remain at the higher billing track but have to hit certain monthly benchmarks to ensure I hit the hours. I also have a fairly long parental leave coming up later in the year so my hours are prorated and I could propose working for half of it to ensure I hit the prorated hours. Worth a try? Or will that just make matters worse?
That’s where things get a little gray. I had meetings with some people in Q4 of last year where they asked about the hours and I explained the personal issues. No mention of the possibility of a lower track. Told them in late December about my wife’s pregnancy and at my yearly review was told I’d be on the lower track.
Can you get trued up this year if you make normal hours? That’s pretty common among biglaw firms, at least.
I get it, I came from midlaw, and I’m sorry this is happening. It sounds like this was either a strict policy or the firm leadership wasn’t convinced that circumstances have changed.
Just start looking for a new position. It’s best for you to have a fresh start. From their perspective, they gave you notice of the performance issues and it didn’t change. Depending how low your hours were they aren’t recouping their investment in you so I’m not surprised by the lower track and reduced comp. Use it as a learning experience and start taking interviews.