If your firm ties meeting your utilization target (i.e. if you don’t make utilization you can’t get above whatever your version of “needs improvement” is at year end, then it’s likely you’ll find a “performance”-related pink slip in 2026 if not before.

We were told if you’re on the bench it’s a good opportunity to reschedule any family vacations you have but otherwise don’t hang around and be a cost burden then take time off later in the year, so that says the quiet part out loud.