It’s almost March 31st, and I’m feeling anxious about my job situation—I barely have any work lined up. Am I on the verge of being let go?
I’m an A3 at a mid-sized firm, and our target for billable hours is between 55-60 each week. I’ve consistently met that goal until last week. Currently, I have just 3 hours scheduled for next week, 25 hours the week after, and nothing at all for the end of April. On a positive note, I do have two weeks fully booked at 40 hours each in May, and my July is filled with two projects.
I’ve received unofficial feedback from my managers, and it’s been positive overall, which is reassuring. However, I can’t shake the feeling that my job might be at stake. My colleagues around me have 40-55 hours booked through the end of April, while I have significantly less.
I discussed my worries with our director of scheduling operations, and he reassured me that other staff members are in similar situations. One of my projects ended earlier than expected, which could explain the lighter schedule, but it still puzzles me why I have just 3 hours next week while another staff member has four jobs and a full 55 hours.
I’ve offered to assist my managers with any tasks, but they said they don’t need help since what remains are more suited for them, like financials or disclosures.
Am I just being paranoid, or is it time to consider updating my resume?
One response
It’s understandable to feel anxious about your current workload, especially as the fiscal year-end approaches and others around you seem to have a full schedule. However, it sounds like you’ve received positive feedback from your managers, which is a strong indicator that your performance is recognized. The fact that the director of scheduling operations reassured you about other staff having low hours suggests that this might be a temporary situation rather than a reflection of your value to the firm.
Keep in mind that fluctuations in workload can happen for various reasons—client deadlines, project cycles, or even just the natural ebb and flow of business. It’s good that you’ve been proactive in seeking additional work and checking in with your managers.
If your workload doesn’t pick up soon, it might be wise to continue networking and looking for opportunities, just to stay prepared. But for now, focus on your upcoming projects in May and July and trust the positive feedback you’ve received. You’re likely not being let go, but keeping your resume updated is never a bad idea in this industry. Keep a positive attitude and stay engaged with your team—you’ll likely find that things can turn around more quickly than you expect!