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"I recently got a job with a stock photo agency that took 6 months of periodic phone calls and emails to get."
Dear Office-Politics, I recently got a job with a stock photography agency that took 6 months of periodic phone calls and emails to get. A reference from a friend who is one of their best photographers did not hurt either. On arrival I was confirmed at $15 an hour but the first pay check yeilded only $12 an hour. I was informed that this was all the company was willing to pay and I could basically take it or leave it. Isn't that illegal? I'm sticking it out untill I find something better. I am currently doing data entry and have far more experience
and skills than this position requires. This office has a video division
and I have heard that they are going to start a tv show. I have my own
show on cable access that I produce, write, edit etc. about the arts
and entertainment. I would like to be shooting/editing or writing the
new show with this company but am not sure how to approach this situation
ethically. When I was hired my boss stated I was over-qualified... should
I get his approval before meeting with the other side?? They don't really
seem to need me here. The company is going through massive changes and
down-sized quite significantly before I arrived. Yes, I have a toe in
the door and there is potential for a satisfying career. I was slighted
to begin with but handling it gracefully for now. What next?? Dear Grace Under Adversity, Working at the stock photo agency is your 'waitering' job. You're waiting to be discovered as a talented TV producer, editor etc. It looks like you have a bright future ahead of you. I wouldn't fret over the $3.00 difference per hour. Yes, it must be aggravating to you but in my opinion it's not worth fighting for -- because you are only using this job as a stepping stone to something better. As for the legality of it, I suggest you learn an important lesson here. Get everything in writing, especially job offers. Pressing this issue without a written document is only going to cause a lot of trouble, and those glowing references you got will think twice about recommending you in the future. As for applying to another division, that's tricky. You could easily alienate your current Manager by going to him and telling him in advance of your intentions. If it were me, and I sincerely wanted to find another job opportunity, I'd expand my job search to include other TV companies -- and I'd send out my resume to several all at once. It would increase my chances of landing another job. In the meantime, read the book 'Dreamcrafting: The Art of Dreaming Big, the Science of Making It Happen' by Paul Levesque, Art McNeil -- it may give you some useful tips on achieving your dreams. It talks about putting yourself in the right orbit to make great thing happen in your career -- and that's just what you've done through the cable TV Show and the stock agency. Good luck. Thanks for writing to Office-Politics. Let me know if this helps. Franke James
The Ethics Letters that appears as a feature of this Website is an educational and discussion oriented column designed to help the reader better understand ethical issues. The matters discussed in the letter are reviewed in a summary/abbreviated way and are only meant to foster thinking on the part of the reader. If a person decides to adopt or implement suggestions, they do so at their own risk. No representation or warranty is provided in relation to suggestions or the contents of the letter. Neither the authors of the letter, Franke James, John W. Burton, or the owners of this Website accept any liability whatsoever for any opinions expressed in the letter or for errors and omissions. Submission of letters to the Office-Politics Forum grants the Publisher, Nerdheaven Ltd. the right to reproduce, republish, repurpose and excerpt the submission in any and all other media, without compensation or contacting the author. Copyright Nerdheaven Ltd. 2002-2005
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