taux d'usage

09:20 Jun 2, 2016 

As a one-time fee-earner myself using time-sheets in a City of London Magic Circle Solicitors' firm, at home & abroad, I can assure you that honesty and integrity are rarely part of the equation and that staff utilization practic/se in Canada differs from the narrow billable-time, compulsory, lunch-time staff seminars and 'document-perusal' test of the Costs Dept. I experienced.

07:52 Jun 2, 2016 

This is about comparing time spent on chargeable work for clients in relation to a theoretical maximum of 100% (although it has even been known for people to claim more, if for example they submit 50 hours of billable work in a working week of 40 hours - 125%). 90% means the person has charged 36 hours in a 40 hour week. It is used as a way of setting targets for service people like consultants, lawyers etc. to ensure they are carrying out their fair share of productive work. As you can imagine, it relies on the honesty and integrity of the individual carrying out the work.

11:16 Jun 1, 2016 

@Mortonjones
Thanks for your explanation. This associate is actually employed full-time by the firm. He says he achieved a 90%+ utilisation percentage the previous year. This percentage does exceed requirements as a letter from management sets the bar at 80%.

10:36 Jun 1, 2016 

In consultancy we talk about "utilisation" - usually as a percentage. So typically entry-level consultants would have a high target of e.g. 80%+ utilisation - the other 20% are things you can't charge a client for - internal stuff, lunch, training, seeking new clients etc. So it could well be that.
90% is VERY high though. This means that the associate lawyer spends almost no time at all bringing in new clients (=business development) but simply does chargeable work 90% or more of the time. Very unusual - though possible, especially over the short term, if the associate is full-time engaged by the same client.

23:56 May 31, 2016 

90% of his time is client-billable, i.e. fee-earning
The other 10% would be meal breaks etc.

22:51 May 31, 2016 

@ François,

I don't think it's that quaint. He could be saying 'le taux d'usage de mes services', which would tie in with Tony's suggestion that it may be referring to the amount of his productive time spent on the cases handled by the firm.

22:39 May 31, 2016 

@ Tony
Yes indeed. That's what I understand from the overall context

22:35 May 31, 2016 

Surely this is something to do with the amount of his time was actually billable to client accounts, for example? A bit like an 'occupancy rate' for a hotel, plane, etc.

21:59 May 31, 2016 

I have found one document where *taux d'usage* is discussed in the context of the Barreau de Québec:

https://www.barreau.qc.ca/pdf/publications/2016-rapport-tari...

I have no idea how that fee might be calculated, or why 90% of that fee would entitle an attorney to a bonus.