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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 10:03:02
What a weird thing to do. I had a "pre-review" meeting with the partner assigned to do my evaluation. The committee meets tomorrow to hash our associate reviews. This partner decided to allow associates to meet with him in advance of that meeting if they wanted to, to discuss anything they desired. My hours as a young associate in a high-powered law firm have never been what they should have been (my minimum monthly is suppose to be 150 and I've only hit 140 twice in two years). Anyway, I was proactive and suggested a cut in pay -- to 80% -- which is what I have been billing at (120 hours) the past several months.
Now, I will see if I can even afford it.
Further depressed. :-(
akc
Posted by kiddo on December 3, 2001, at 10:25:37
In reply to Asking for a paycut, posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 10:03:02
Hiya akc-
Umm, I hope I'm not being nosey. Did you ask for less hours? I know you've been billing at 120 hours, but you also have issues you are dealing with. I think considering that, you still deserve the same pay. (should have consulted Doc Kiddo :-), just kidding)
Seriously though-I can understand why you did it. Do you think they'll grant that request? I think it's great that you took the initiative, and let them know that you are aware of the situation. I don't think I'd have had the nerve to do it.
Will you keep us up to date?Hope all goes well,
Kiddo
> What a weird thing to do. I had a "pre-review" meeting with the partner assigned to do my evaluation. The committee meets tomorrow to hash our associate reviews. This partner decided to allow associates to meet with him in advance of that meeting if they wanted to, to discuss anything they desired. My hours as a young associate in a high-powered law firm have never been what they should have been (my minimum monthly is suppose to be 150 and I've only hit 140 twice in two years). Anyway, I was proactive and suggested a cut in pay -- to 80% -- which is what I have been billing at (120 hours) the past several months.
>
> Now, I will see if I can even afford it.
>
> Further depressed. :-(
>
> akc
Posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 10:42:32
In reply to Re: Asking for a paycut » akc, posted by kiddo on December 3, 2001, at 10:25:37
Kiddo,
Oh, yeah -- they are going to want to pay me at the rate I am billing -- so I think I will get the 80%. The only other solution is to terminate me, because I made it clear that I cannot get my hours up. They are not going to terminate me, because we are on the borderline of being short-handed in my practice group, and for the most part, I do better than average work (though lately, the past month or so, my work has not been so good -- I talked about that some, so as to at least let them know I was aware). So I am going to get what I requested.
Thanks for asking.
akc
Posted by Greg on December 3, 2001, at 11:53:04
In reply to Asking for a paycut, posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 10:03:02
Personal question, no need to answer if you don't want to of course.
Did you have a feeling that your hours were going to be further cut or that you might be let go altogether?
I don't think it's all that weird a thing to do at all. I volunteered for a paycut at my last job when they were having financial problems as a way of helping them thru the tough times, and hopefully saving my job too. It happens.
> What a weird thing to do. I had a "pre-review" meeting with the partner assigned to do my evaluation. The committee meets tomorrow to hash our associate reviews. This partner decided to allow associates to meet with him in advance of that meeting if they wanted to, to discuss anything they desired. My hours as a young associate in a high-powered law firm have never been what they should have been (my minimum monthly is suppose to be 150 and I've only hit 140 twice in two years). Anyway, I was proactive and suggested a cut in pay -- to 80% -- which is what I have been billing at (120 hours) the past several months.
>
> Now, I will see if I can even afford it.
>
> Further depressed. :-(
>
> akc
Posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 12:24:48
In reply to Re: Asking for a paycut » akc, posted by Greg on December 3, 2001, at 11:53:04
I didn't think my hours would be further cut. A big law firm like this wants you to bill, bill, bill -- hours is what it is all about (actually, the same can be said about small firms, though it is not quite as intense). And my practice group has more than enough work. They would prefer I bill the 150 hour minimum.
I have not feared by let go -- yet. If I don't get my head on straight, soon, I might start worrying. But I'd get some "counseling" by the higher ups before there would be action in that arena.
And, by being proactive, I have kept this hours thing under control.
I think the biggest problem is all within me -- having to admit I can't cut it -- that I'm not able to do what I use to do. I don't care if I'm sick or my mom's sick or if it is the meds or whatever the problem is. I use to be able to go 90 miles a minute and accomplish anything in front of me. I was always the superstar. And liked it! Now, the inertia is killing me.
Gets back to some of my posts above. I really hate life right now. And having to ask for a pay cut just underscores one of the areas that is not going as I had hoped.
Back to work, for me. :(
Posted by crinn on December 3, 2001, at 16:15:09
In reply to Re: Asking for a paycut » Greg, posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 12:24:48
> I didn't think my hours would be further cut. A big law firm like this wants you to bill, bill, bill -- hours is what it is all about (actually, the same can be said about small firms, though it is not quite as intense). And my practice group has more than enough work. They would prefer I bill the 150 hour minimum.
>
> I have not feared by let go -- yet. If I don't get my head on straight, soon, I might start worrying. But I'd get some "counseling" by the higher ups before there would be action in that arena.
>
> And, by being proactive, I have kept this hours thing under control.
>
> I think the biggest problem is all within me -- having to admit I can't cut it -- that I'm not able to do what I use to do. I don't care if I'm sick or my mom's sick or if it is the meds or whatever the problem is. I use to be able to go 90 miles a minute and accomplish anything in front of me. I was always the superstar. And liked it! Now, the inertia is killing me.
>
> Gets back to some of my posts above. I really hate life right now. And having to ask for a pay cut just underscores one of the areas that is not going as I had hoped.
>
> Back to work, for me. :(I can completely relate. I took a 30-hour week job at 1/2 the salary I was making to help "my health" and completely changed my lifestyle. I'm definitely getting by on less money, but still feel like crap. Sometimes, doing all the right things doesn't get you the right results. Hang in there!
Posted by pedr on December 4, 2001, at 12:07:25
In reply to Asking for a paycut, posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 10:03:02
> What a weird thing to do. I had a "pre-review" meeting with the partner assigned to do my evaluation. The committee meets tomorrow to hash our associate reviews. This partner decided to allow associates to meet with him in advance of that meeting if they wanted to, to discuss anything they desired. My hours as a young associate in a high-powered law firm have never been what they should have been (my minimum monthly is suppose to be 150 and I've only hit 140 twice in two years). Anyway, I was proactive and suggested a cut in pay -- to 80% -- which is what I have been billing at (120 hours) the past several months.
>
> Now, I will see if I can even afford it.
>
> Further depressed. :-(
>
> akcI too recently requested a pay cut. I joined the company as a software developer but over the last year I've found that my depression makes it impossible. I'm now doing less demanding work and, like you, proactively sought a pay cut as I felt I was not earning my previous developer wages.
It's demoralising to find your faculties in tatters and your abilities severely diminished but I strongly think it's the right thing to do. I too still feel desperately low most days but I do worry less about work now I'm doing easier stuff.
Fortunately I was kept on the same wages which was very good of my company. I'm very lucky in that respect.
Good luck,
pedr
Posted by mair on December 4, 2001, at 12:32:56
In reply to Asking for a paycut, posted by akc on December 3, 2001, at 10:03:02
akc -I think that the pressure to "produce" in all law firms can be intense, and that this move will be well worth it if it relieves you of some of the guilt and anxiety you probably feel about how your illness interferes with your work.
Mair
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