Some firms move to two tier pay scales for associates

Interesting article at Law.com on how some firms are addressing work-life balance issues. Some firms are creating a two-tier compensation structure that pays associates that work 2,000 hours a year on an X scale, while associates who work less will remain on a Y scale.
Twice a year associates can, based on their last 12 months of work, move into the 2,000-hour tier. Once a year, associates can move back into the less-than-2,000-hour option.