Reply to Biglaw Very Low Bonus for Pregnant Associate

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I am a senior associate at a biglaw firm. I am also pregnant. This year my firm gave me only a very small bonus (like smaller than the first years get). I did just miss the criteria to get the BIG bonus, but in my experience the firm usually just discounts the bonus (by maybe 25%) for people who miss the criteria.

I suspect that the reason the firm got cheap on my bonus is that they think I can’t move anywhere while I’m pregnant. BUT—jokes on them—I have another job lined up. I am about to give notice. Should I be honest about my suspicion about the reason for my low bonus, or should I just move on? [/quote]

OP - I promise you that your firm did not stiff you on your bonus because you're pregnant. I promise.

They stiffed you because you didn't hit your targets. If you're a mid or senior associate not hitting hours, that's the writing on the wall to the firm that you're not going to make partner -- which means the firm is already shifting to the mindset that they don't need to try and retain you.  Nothing to do with your pregnancy.  [/quote]

Well, she did say “in my experience the firm usually just discounts the bonus (by maybe 25%) for people who miss the criteria.”. Why do you think she was treated differently?[/quote]

Possible explanations: 
- softening economy or soft industry
- change in firm policy to offset recent associate payraises
- change in firm policy as an expense cutting measure 
- change in firm policy to focus on retaining star performers
- bonuses for senior associates are a lot more than they are for junior associates, so the firm doesn't hand them out for senior associates who don't make their hours
- OP had already been identified as an underperformer and the firm didn't feel the need to offer retention level comp
- any senior associate not making hours is clearly not on track for partner, so the early they voluntarily leave, the better - so might as well start putting the wrench on the compensation

I've been party to compensation discussions for years. It's mostly just a spreadsheet that churns out a calculation.  Comp committee is not taking each associate's personal circumstances or performance into account, unless something super significant sets them apart.  And you can be sure as heck that the factor they've decided to take into account isn't "pregnancy".  It's a law firm.  They're not idiots.  [/quote]

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