Help me, being taken advantage of

[assistantguy]

Honestly I have another gearslutz username but I don't want people searching and finding out who my boss is.

I work as an assistant/engineer at a studio in the LA area, a very nice studio where I have been for almost 2 years. As everyone else knows the industry and economy have both taken a dump on us and my boss can't make his payroll, actually let me rephrase that... he has been 3 months behind for the last year and a half. I get half paychecks here and there and this is actually fraud, especially since I'm sure he reported it on his taxes(yet hasn't paid me for all December yet) On top of that we're not getting much business and so I'm "ON CALL" at a moments notice and I have children at home that need to be watched in order for me to be able to work. So, I can't pay my babysitters (luckily people from church watch them for free most of the time) and I don't want to take advantage of the people I love at church who I can tell are getting sick of this as well.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?
I love this industry, I love doing this and have even been trying to backpedal and get a runner position at other larger studios just so that I can keep my bills up and not run into the repo man. To no avail. I'm just out of options, I don't want to quit, but I think I might have to. I've been holding onto this because I've been meeting some pretty great industry engineers and very well known artists, but it's just gotten to be too much.

Now let me backpedal a bit, he's a great guy and pretty well known. I don't want to screw him over AND I definitely DON'T want to burn a bridge here in LA. But, they're passing their burden on to me and I don't want to hurt my family any longer.

What should I do?

Please advise this assistant engineer what to do.

[rudalicious]

duke it out long enough to pimp the contacts and then tell the dude u cant afford to work there and where to send the rest of ur checks...

my 02

[The Byre]

I remember once, a very long time ago, I got screwed over by an agent. He had the bookings and he still didn't pay me.

I called the company that he was booking through and they told me that was none of their business. The guy at the desk asked me if I was still fulfilling bookings. I said that I was. He then said something I shall never forget -

"Then I have to assume, that I am talking to an idiot!"

I was rather annoyed at the time and I felt that it was a grossly unfair remark. I later realised that he was right on the money!

We live and learn, as the old saying goes!!!

[ruff mix]

I would spend every second I possibly could looking for another job before I just quit. If you quit, you won't have any income at all...at least now you're getting something. But you have to be willing to make some tough choices, unfortunately, about finding work that you may not really like for the time being to get yourself back on your feet while you continue to try to find something that will work long term.

Sorry you're having to go through this...

[assistantguy]

Thank you for your 2cents. It's just so hard on me and my family right now, I really need some support, so thanks!

I will probably duke it out until I can pimp the contacts, but it's just so freakin lame cause if I brought the law into it, this studio would flop, not to mention he's doing this to EVERYONE that works there so... that's like almost 6 counts of fraud, but again I like the guy as a person and really don't want to burn a bridge in friggin LA.

Thanks again all.

[RCM - Ronan]

The unfortunately tough but realistic advice is that you should look closely at whether or not this is a realistic career path for you. I do not know you personally, but if anyone told me that in 2010 they did not already have an established client base and they wanted to support a family with recording, I would suggest they immediately get out of the industry.

I am not saying that it is impossible, but neither is winning the lottery. The fact that your "pretty well known" boss can not make payroll should tell you something.

[rack gear]

have you had any real heart to hearts with him about it? sometimes honesty is just best - if he's a great guy I'm sure he feels horrible about not being able to pay you - for all you know, he may be owed money himself...

I think in the end - you may end up taking some kind of loss - I know a lot of people right now, who if they are working are working for a lot less - in some cases half of what they made just two years ago.

it's a personal decision for everyone how to deal with these.

the larger part of me says come clean w/ him and try to cut a deal on what is owed as a good faith move, and suck it up.

BUT - from that point forward you have a clean slate, you haven't burnt any bridges and who knows what could come of a creative conversation.

[assistantguy]

Redvelvet, yeah we've had a heart to heart and he keeps assuring me that he's doing all he can to get the studio bills caught up as well as payroll. His logic is that if he pays me and doesn't pay the power bill the studio will close down, but if he pays the power bill and puts off paying me, then the studio can continue to employ me. I see what he's talking about, but it's still no legal and I'm still on call at a moment's notice to work, yet not getting paid for it.

I think I'll be sticking it out while looking for another position, AND try working my contacts a little bit just to get the heck out of here.

oh and to Ronan, every other gearslut, and jerky assistant engineer for that matter keeps trying to get me out of this industry just because I have a family already, they can shut it, I'm not going anywhere.

[rack gear]

Originally Posted by assistantguy

Redvelvet, yeah we've had a heart to heart and he keeps assuring me that he's doing all he can to get the studio bills caught up as well as payroll. His logic is that if he pays me and doesn't pay the power bill the studio will close down, but if he pays the power bill and puts off paying me, then the studio can continue to employ me. I see what he's talking about, but it's still no legal and I'm still on call at a moment's notice to work, yet not getting paid for it.

I think I'll be sticking it out while looking for another position, AND try working my contacts a little bit just to get the heck out of here.

oh and to Ronan, every other gearslut, and jerky assistant engineer for that matter keeps trying to get me out of this industry just because I have a family already, they can shut it, I'm not going anywhere.

best of luck to you man - sounds like he's being honest with you and doesn't have the dough himself. also sounds like you've signed on for this - I honestly don't see you being taken advantage of - you have cosigned this now.

If you are only sticking around to see what if he'll pay what he owes you - I'd leave now - he owes you either way, and you need to get paid sooner than later - the sooner you find work that pays, the less interested you'll be in the money he owes you (which you may, or may not ever see).

there's an old saying in the music biz "hits cure cancer" but I don't know what that means in the studio biz unless you book a big fat A Lister for a month or two...

you may want to get out a calculator and see how much time he'd need to book to get current, and then ask yourself if you think that's realistic...

[Lenzo]

You're probably not the only person he's behind on. As mentioned before, I'd start looking for other possibilities. The truth is, if he gets to far behind with too many people then it's over. If you can find another opportunity, then you have options.
L.

[ElMosca]

Well, good luck to you and kudos for trying to resolve it amicably. I don't think that it's worth your time trying to sue him or enforcing the law (at this point). The only people that will see any money in such a situation would be your lawyers. Since you are "on call" you have some time to look for something, anything, else.

That said, my priorities when am juggling are rent and payroll (and often not in that order). Anything farther away than 10 miles from me has to wait if things get tough. The electricity and phone companies will (usually) give your business a couple of months grace before they disconnect you.

Let your employer know that you're looking. I'm sure he'll understand, and who knows, maybe he can even help you hook up with someone else who can lead you to the carrot.

Again, good luck,
++aldo

[assistantguy]

Lenzo, you're right I'm not the only one here even and all of us that work there have been going through this together and we are all getting a little disgruntled about it, but we keep trucking, it's just harder for me since I have a family.

Aldo, I think actually in payroll fraud you can sue for double your wages, damages, AND attorney fees, but you know that I don't want to burn a bridge in LA if I'm looking for another job afterward, it's just not worth it.

thanks everyone, you guys have definitely made me better about this situation.

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by assistantguy

oh and to Ronan, every other gearslut, and jerky assistant engineer for that matter keeps trying to get me out of this industry just because I have a family already, they can shut it, I'm not going anywhere.

Best of luck to you and your family.

[GearBit]

"He who cares least, wins"

Your employer knows this rule. Change your situation so that you care less (different income stream,clients) and then tell him to either pay you properly or you will have to take your services elsewhere.
As long as you are the desperate one in the negotiation your desperation will be exploited.
Harsh but true.

[dustyreels]

Another voice of support to you and your family. I have to run my studio part time and bar tend at night to keep my family afloat.

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by dustyreels

Another voice of support to you and your family. I have to run my studio part time and bar tend at night to keep my family afloat.

Yeah, Its really tough. I have buddies with multiple gold and platinum albums who are having trouble supporting families. They were doing great 10 years ago, but the recording industry has changed so dramatically in the last decade.

[zosthegoatherd]

Find another job now. If it has been this long and he has not sorted stuff out he never will. In another month or two you will not have a job and have no hope of getting back pay as other creditors will probably be in line in front of you. Get as much money out of him as you can, but don't expect him to ever catch up or even pay you going forward. Once you are let go you can start collecting unemployment at least. I made the same mistake with my last job, and I really wish I had started looking for a job earlier in the process.

[jude]

Originally Posted by assistantguy

oh and to Ronan, every other gearslut, and jerky assistant engineer for that matter keeps trying to get me out of this industry just because I have a family already, they can shut it, I'm not going anywhere.

i dont know about you, but my family and I enjoy eating. if you arnt getting paid for work you are doing you are getting used. and you sir are stupid for being in that position

all of us go thru hard times (I am currently) but most of us dont sit around hoping we will get paid. find something to get you thru. all of us need a good job, and part of a good job is getting paid a wage for the hours you work.

read into that what you will. you have a choice, get some balls and get your money, or keep getting used

[telejustin]

I was in a somewhat similar situation once. The guy I was working for wasn't a bad dude--just couldn't get ahead. We eventually made a plan where I got some gear as partial payment. While it doesn't put food on a table, at least you might be able to get something of value for your time.

Another possibility: can you book the studio and bring in your own clients? If you bring in a band and do the work, you get free studio time and keep 100% of whatever the band pays. You get to do work, make more money and maybe you even give the band a good rate in the process which makes it easier to sell the project. Everybody wins.

Regardless, tough situation. Best of luck.

[dustyreels]

Originally Posted by telejustin

I was in a somewhat similar situation once. The guy I was working for wasn't a bad dude--just couldn't get ahead. We eventually made a plan where I got some gear as partial payment. While it doesn't put food on a table, at least you might be able to get something of value for your time.

Another possibility: can you book the studio and bring in your own clients? If you bring in a band and do the work, you get free studio time and keep 100% of whatever the band pays. You get to do work, make more money and maybe you even give the band a good rate in the process which makes it easier to sell the project. Everybody wins.

Regardless, tough situation. Best of luck.

Good ideas. You may find out what he's made of. A solid approach to see if he is actually willing to right the situation.

[henry2580]

You should get into post production instead,it's alittle more stable and you can still be an engineer creativly.

[TheChariot]

I agree. The best method here is to find some of your own clients. Honestly, I would be doing that anyways whether I had steady assistant work or not, because it's a great deed for the studio, some extra $$ for you, more fun, and a chance to get some credits under your belt.

I've been an assistant for years and I've barely made any money doing that. Obviously, I work in a much smaller studio than you. The principle, however, remains the same.... you want to move up and have your own client in the future, I'd presume.

The old ways of "climbing the ladder" at the studio are much different now, even at bigger facilities. You have to make yourself more valuable as an individual in order to develop more sources of income and advance your career.

There are VERY few assistant/2nd engineers who do not need a supplemental side job to keep themselves financially solvent.... and most of those people don't have kids to support. My suggestion is to get a part time job and begin your career as a freelance engineer. Studios are having a harder and harder time getting ANY bookings nowadays, so it's a fools errand to wait your turn for an "extra" client to come along and be handed to you like in the old days.

Split up 3 ways: 1) day job 2) Assist when you can/when they have work 3) Get out there like the rest of us and find your own clients to bring into the studio. Perhaps bringing your own client there would help recover your back wages as well.

Don't be in the dumps. You're not approaching the end, but you are at a major crossroads and you should prepare for a true awakening: "working at a studio" is not as viable as is once was. But what's so scary about that? Use this sh!t experience to light a fire under your ass and start engineering your own projects.

Good luck to you.

[Musiclab]

Originally Posted by rudalicious

duke it out long enough to pimp the contacts and then tell the dude u cant afford to work there and where to send the rest of ur checks...

my 02

Brilliant!!!
NOT

[Musiclab]

If I were you, I'd be out looking for a job every second, and in the mean time I'd find a maybe a straight job that pays you a wage so that you can take care of your family.
I'm not going to tell you to forget recording, but it's time to man up, if you have a family THAT is your number one priority, unless your lucky enough that
your wife makes great money and can support you and your family through this. People in the arts have to take other gigs to earn a living all the time, it's often the downside of trying to earn a living doing what you love. When I was a young guitar player, when I was out of a gig I took straight jobs whenever I had to. I wish there was an easy answer, but the truth is the world has gone to hell, and especially the record business. I hate to say it but the likelihood that your boss is ever going to pay you is probably shrinking by the day. I wish you all the best.

[TheChariot]

Well stated. One of the most important lessons I've learned is to have more options and skills no matter what workforce you're a part of. Usually they will benefit you in tandem!

Example: I'm a bookkeeper. I can apply these skills to running a small business like a recording studio. I'm a good bookkeeper in part because I'm fast with Quickbooks... Which I learned fast because I've spent years learning audio software.

The owner of our studio is a great carpenter. Result? Well, we haven't paid anyone a dime to help us build the new place... Not to mention the thousands of times he has refurbished beautiful vintage gear and restored it's usefulness and financial value.

You might have some secondary skill/passion that you can explore as well... It could be the smartest thing you ever do.

[rkopald]

Originally Posted by RCM - Ronan

I have buddies with multiple gold and platinum albums who are having trouble supporting families. They were doing great 10 years ago, but the recording industry has changed so dramatically in the last decade.

Now this is depressing.

Good luck with your situation. At my last job my boss basically threw a hissy fit and refused to give me my last paycheck because I "wasn't allowed to quit". I've been in situations where I've been forced to deal with bounced payroll checks, non-payment blah blah blah... It's not a fun place to be. Good luck and I hope you get something more stable..

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by RCM - Ronan

Yeah, Its really tough. I have buddies with multiple gold and platinum albums who are having trouble supporting families. They were doing great 10 years ago, but the recording industry has changed so dramatically in the last decade.

That's true - but half of that has been industry change as well as drop off. Prime example - I earn FAR more than the guys mixing chart bound RnB. You have to pick your areas much more cautiously now. If one is in the business of making music purely sold as music then you're in the small beans end of the business. I produce far fewer bands than I did 5 years ago - but I've moved into soundtrack work. If you have the right connections, and prepared to sacrifice a little of the "dream" then there is work. But you REALLY need a good business head!

OP - with a family I'd be looking to broaden horizons. there are far more important thing once you're a family man..... up to you though I guess.

[Amber]

To the OP, I realise it's not your job, but can YOU bring more business to the studio?

Maybe getting involved with songwriting for local artists, bring them to the studio you work at. You get your wage, you get royalties if the band does okay. If you get a part time job, maybe find something where you can refer people to the studio.

Hope all goes well for you. I've been messed around quite a few times by clients where I've done the work and not been paid amongst other things. You quickly learn to avoid the same situations as you see it coming.