TLDR narcissist agency owner exploits young people for her own gain
I answered an open call to help an media agency. I was invited in to do a test day of some work for a low fee of I think £50-100. Being a young graduate and looking for work I went ahead. This was many years ago now if you are wondering about the fee.
The owner had seen my work and I had prepared some requested work based off designs she had asked for.
Work started on this day and I began working on the clunky software she wanted me to use. Through out the day I was getting regular requests to change things, I was even looked at funny for the 1 min I took to get to a 2FA off my phone and which I had to explain I was not messing about.
About half way through the day she asked me for a meeting into a private room and started berating me and saying that the work I had shown her was just clip art off the internet I explained it was not. This berating lasted about 20mins and I kept my cool as I knew it was just a days work.
During this time a young volunteer came in, he said something and she almost belittled his suggestion in front of me.
I go back to work and end up putting in over the hours agreed, in this time I can see another co space worker giving me a sympathetic look and so I expect her behaviour was common.
The day did not end at the time agreed due to to all the changes and clunky software.
At the end of the day I go to leave and get the money for the day she say that as I came agreed to start late and the work she was not happy with so she wanted to pay me half, I wanted to get away from this psychopath so I just took half the cash. Given this could have been as low as £20 for a days work. And I still had to invoice her for it.
I’m writing this so that young people in their careers can now take stock and know that it is ok to put your foot down about set pay. You should NOT be afraid to leave feedback about terrible conditions and to take things up with a small claims court if you ever get into non payment with clients.
I do believe the freelance industry is a hidden field of exploration where workers rights are ignored or experience harassment and bullying.
The funny thing is that this experience is just one of many and I just accepted it as a given. But now today I can see what an exploitative thing this agency owner did.
I don’t know if she is still doing this. And if other people have similar stories but I know what a complete psychological abusive thing she did now and has done to many young people in media.
I know I am not alone but I cannot understand why more people have not come forward. I can only hope that young people take advice, get pay up front and contracts in place.