Pay Cut: Make a fuss or focus on exit

[LeavingBigLaw]

Have NC for this but am a regular.

I'm a contract partner in a big law firm. I am also working on leaving - bit of a career change but in a related field, currently held up by bureaucracy that I cannot control, but it's happening.

The last 2 years I have not met my billable hours target. In this time I had mat leave and 2 family bereavements. All of which has resulted in me wanting a career change.

Anyway, in my last appraisal my boss tells me he is considering a 'small' cut to my pay due to failure to meet targets. I protested, he didn't agree but said he would let me know his decision. He is entitled to do this under our pay arrangements. Process is that boss makes a pay recommendation to management, they normally just approve but can also revise. I hear nothing more until letter recently where I read that I am getting a cut equivalent to 13%.

I am furious but also feel humiliated. Although my mind has been on career change I have not be slacking. In fact I've worked really hard to pick myself up and generate work. It's not easy in my area and noone has done me any favours. Ironically it has paid off and now I have loads of interesting billable work.

Right now I am in two minds about whether I make a fuss about this pay cut. I am leaving anyway and this is a gossipy industry, I don't want to impact my next career. But I'm also angry and offended that this guy has slashed my pay and not even had the balls to tell me what he was doing.

Any views / advice / similar experience gratefully received. I know it's a tough industry and I am normally thick skinned but this has really got to me, and I don't know what to do.

My o my question would be if the billable hours were adjusted for maternity leave - if not then it's discrimination surely

But since you are leaving I'd leave it and just dissociate

Right now I am in two minds about whether I make a fuss about this pay cut. I am leaving anyway and this is a gossipy industry,
That works two ways. When you have your new job secure then you can spread gossip about your ex-empl;oyer. People tend to believe the first version of a story that they hear so make it about them being an unsupportive company (translation: don't work for them!) rather than about your billable hours.

You are hurting at the moment but in two years' time you won't care. It will be water under the bridge.

"Anyway, in my last appraisal my boss tells me he is considering a 'small' cut to my pay due to failure to meet targets. I protested, he didn't agree but said he would let me know his decision. He is entitled to do this under our pay arrangements."

So, this is standard practice where targets are not met and is clear in the pay terms?

If this is no longer suitable for your circumstances just exit as you were already planning to do, as it is no longer compatible with your life requirements.

He is entitled to do this under our pay arrangements.
Make sure that you agree a better contract with your new employer!

Thanks for the replies. Target was pro rated for mat leave but no reductions for time needed for bereavement. I largely soldiered through, as expected, but with hindsight now wish I had taken proper time out and requested a reduction in target (although I don't think I would have been given one without taking unpaid leave). Honestly feel a bit burnt out by it all.

I wrongly assumed that I would be given some leeway due to personal circumstances and all my other positive contributions. Lesson learned and time for me to go.

Lesson learned and time for me to go.
Absolutely. Life's too short.

What's your notice period?

Only one months' notice fortunately.

I've been trying unsuccessfully so far to speed up the career change but it's stuck in an approvals process outside my control. If I knew how long it was going to take I would just quit but I cant afford to be off for months and months. It's really tough.

You're never going to be happy there again. Life's too short.

Consider this period now as being paid to find a new job.

Good luck.

Keep checking with the new employer (Job No2). Don't be too passive.

Look for a third job. Sod's Law says that the moment that you get offered Job No3 then Job No2 will suddenly come good. (Happened to a friend of mine: he was strung along for ages until he said, "I've got another offer. Sign me up or I'm gone." It worked.)

Be strategic at Job No1. Keep your billable hours up but delay invoicing. Let them find out, after you've gone, that recovery is not so great.

We're rooting for you!

This put a smile on my face, thank you.

Good idea re job no. 3...

I'd give ACAS a call, just because it's in the contract doesn't make it legal.