Beware of Ad Agencies

[vibranium]

nothing personal, if i owned an ad agency and i read that post like speeds by someone i employed...i'd fire that someone.

[rb]

siiiiggghhhhhh....

[Hampton]

I see all sides of the picture, but that's still pretty fucked up that they wouldn't let him work at home and then give him grief about doing some small projects to basically entertain himself doing some art. How much commerce are we actually talking about? Pretty small I'm sure, and I'll bet you money that he's not spending any eight hour shifts at the art board by the sounds of his condition. I do some advertsing illustration, it pays great and I actually enjoy it, but come on talk about big brother here. What a rigid perspective. It's healing to have a reason to get up in the morning, y'know? It can't be easy having to deal with living with a disease and the pain that goes with it. Firing a guy would also leave him without healthcare, it's a good thing that he doesn't work for you.

[Speed]

Thanks Justin....

[vibranium]

he seems pretty ungrateful about the job, downright hostile about it, yet the employer's gotta care?

if the guy values his healthcare it's a bit irresponsible to put it in jepordy (sp) (thank god spelling isn't critiqued i suck at it), no?

you get to keep your healthcare after your fired - in most states. work hard save up cash to cover your medical expenses, split, and get a job you like.

here's my point. The dude seems pretty unhappy. he's blaming saatchi. stop blaming 'the man' and make yer move. leverage your title at saatchi and land a job you like for an agency you like. hate advertising? go to a design studio...and inhouse...go work for a printer....deliver pizza, whatever.

i hate that SO many people are SO unhappy. I watched my family members kill themselves by being in unhappy job situations. i watch friends try drink themselves into 'happiness' because they hate their job.

it isn't worth it is it?

stay. or go. it's simple. complaining makes it worse on your mind and body.

[vibranium]

On 2002-02-06 017, Hampton wrote:
I see all sides of the picture, but that's still pretty fucked up that they wouldn't let him work at home and then give him grief about doing some small projects to basically entertain himself doing some art. How much commerce are we actually talking about? Pretty small I'm sure, and I'll bet you money that he's not spending any eight hour shifts at the art board by the sounds of his condition. I do some advertsing illustration, it pays great and I actually enjoy it, but come on talk about big brother here. What a rigid perspective. It's healing to have a reason to get up in the morning, y'know? It can't be easy having to deal with living with a disease and the pain that goes with it. Firing a guy would also leave him without healthcare, it's a good thing that he doesn't work for you.

you keep your insurance if your fired - in most states.

if a co. won't let someone work at home...there's a reason (although i agree - it's a bit fucked) if i had a really valuable employee - i'd try to keep him around somehow. it's not about anyone MAKING MONEY while on leave/disability. if someone is claiming they can't creative direct or art direct and they're home creating art, what's that? take the 3 or 4 hours of pain-free time and get some of yer work done. or quit. no problem. but you can't have it both ways.

fish or cut bait, hold your head up high.

get busy livin' or get busy diein'

i'm done here. Speed, good luck, i feel for you. pain is something many of us have to negotiate day to day. really, good luck - i hope you find a way.

[Anonymous]

Vibe-

I'm not sure what kinda jobs you've been fired from, but you don't get to keep your insurance. You get offered Cobra, and they charge over $300 for HMO coverage for a single person PER MONTH. I don't care how much you made at a given job, that's a shitload of cash to be spending on health insurance every month.

-matter

[vibranium]

tell me about it. i know i paid almost 700.00 per month for years and i wasn't making dick at the time. i still pay 380 a month, and it's sucky coverage and i've never made a hundred grand.
you do what you gotta. if i was selling-out for the coverage/paycheck, and banking i would be grateful for it.

[jcooper]

speaking of insurance, i once read in a graphic design book about a situation where many freelance artists could all go in on a group policy to make it cheaper (more like if you were working for a company that provided insurance). is anyone familiar with this? I can't remember the book off hand and I've been trying to find more info......

[Anonymous]

jcooper-

Check out this link to AIGA, they have insurance if you become a member.

Also, the Graphic Artists Guild has group insurance available to it's members.

Good luck!
-matter