So this maybe a bit of a vent post, but I hope others in my position or similar can relate.
I’m a graphic designer (31m) and I’m contracted out from an agency to a very well known big name in podcasts. I have been on contract with this company since before the pandemic, the end of this year will count 3 years. It’s been well established that I am needed in this position, I add a lot of value and benefit to this company. However, when I bring up that I am interested in being brought on permanently, I’m given the run around, put off and sidelined. The company has even dove through a loop hole to extend my freelance contract by giving me a company email and workday account without actually hiring me to payroll. I’m so tired of it. I constantly feel like I’m not worth investing in, yet I’m being taken advantage as a freelancer.
I keep applying to other positions online as well, but I never hear back. “Freelance” websites like fiverr and upwork never yield any work for me and just take a huge cut. I’m so burntout, I don’t get vacation or sick days without losing pay and I don’t get any benefits other than dental through my agency. I don’t know what to do anymore and I can’t quit without having other work lined up.
I really like what I do, I think that I’m pretty good at it as well and I have brought in so much value to this company. But I’m exhausted from being taken advantage of.