Sarah G
11-20-2008, 09:29 AM
Hello,
I am an associate in a medium-sized law firm who has recently returned from my maternity leave. I took the allowed 12 weeks and returned at the beginning of October. Since returning, I have not been given any billable work. I do not have any billable hours to date and literally sit in my office all day and do nothing. I have e-mailed and spoken with every partner in my department several times to request work. Originally I was told it was "slow" but there were cases I would be working on. Then it was that everyone was too busy to sit down with me. About three weeks after I returned, there was a department meeting in which the associates were told there was more than enough work and that if you did not have enough billables, send an e-mail to this designated partner and she would make sure you were given work. I have done that three times since that meeting and and have received no repsonse.
I know the "writing is on the wall" as to my future here. It has now been a month & 1/2 since my return and still no billable work. I have been given "firm" work but it does not count towards billables. My question is that I was told there is a law in Illinois that requires the same amount of work be given to you upon your return from a leave that you had prior to your leave. Is this true? And also, what recourse do I really have? I know I can file a complaint with the EEOC and/or the IL Human Rights Commission but does really get you anywhere?
Thank you!
P.S. I have never been formally reviewed but I have also never been told anything negative about my work, hours, productivity etc.
I am an associate in a medium-sized law firm who has recently returned from my maternity leave. I took the allowed 12 weeks and returned at the beginning of October. Since returning, I have not been given any billable work. I do not have any billable hours to date and literally sit in my office all day and do nothing. I have e-mailed and spoken with every partner in my department several times to request work. Originally I was told it was "slow" but there were cases I would be working on. Then it was that everyone was too busy to sit down with me. About three weeks after I returned, there was a department meeting in which the associates were told there was more than enough work and that if you did not have enough billables, send an e-mail to this designated partner and she would make sure you were given work. I have done that three times since that meeting and and have received no repsonse.
I know the "writing is on the wall" as to my future here. It has now been a month & 1/2 since my return and still no billable work. I have been given "firm" work but it does not count towards billables. My question is that I was told there is a law in Illinois that requires the same amount of work be given to you upon your return from a leave that you had prior to your leave. Is this true? And also, what recourse do I really have? I know I can file a complaint with the EEOC and/or the IL Human Rights Commission but does really get you anywhere?
Thank you!
P.S. I have never been formally reviewed but I have also never been told anything negative about my work, hours, productivity etc.
