Okay, a few weeks have past and I suppose a little blog posting may clear up things a little. A lot of this is going to be personal, including my observations about the company that I worked for for the last almost eleven years.
Here is what happened: Long about October or so, one of the big wigs was around the studio building. I’d always gotten along reasonably with the guy, we had our occasional differences of opinion, but nothing that I would consider out of the ordinary. So anyway, Mr. Big Wig was acting a little strangely. On a side note, I observe people, I can almost always tell when someone is lying or being less than truthful (except compulsive liars, they are harder to spot). At the time, I thought it a little strange.
Then, around three weeks later, I noticed a help wanted ad in Radio World. Something for Western Massachusetts, which again, I thought was odd because there are no radio groups in Western Massachusetts. My gut reaction was that is either my job, or the contractor in Albany.
Finally, around the middle of November, the general manager at my location began to act shifty as well, and the jig was up. I knew that I was on the way out, likely because I refused to do any more work without more pay.
I am fortunate for the following reasons:
1. The contracting company that took over my position immediately hired me to work for them. Truth be told, I have better benefits, better working conditions, and a better over all outlook now than before.
2. About three years ago, I started a side business installing solar systems. At that time, it was a way to make up for the money I was loosing by working at the radio stations. It has grown into something that is more than I expected, faster than I expected. The new work arrangement allows me to still pay the bills and grow my company.
The contractor in question is somebody I have known for twenty years. He is a good guy and I am happy to be working with him.
I am still, however, deeply deeply disappointed in the way it was handled.
So, my advice to anybody reading is to watch out for yourself. Keep your eyes and ears open and have a plan B or even C.
As for me, I plan to transition my way out of radio, because as I have opined here, and others have stated as well, there is no future in it.
That was my guess as to what was going to happen… It’s just crazy, isn’t it… Who needs preventative maintenance
It is a little crazy. The contractor company that replaced me has already voiced dismay at the attitudes of my former employer. As they say, this could be interesting.
I am going to keep the blog going, I have decided. Posting when I can about what I know, sort of.
This has been typical of the industry for years. It is a case of the “bottom line”. In its glory days back in the ’60′s, I worked 20 hours a week while studying EE. I got to know real fast how the management which is usually almost always, “Salesmen” operates. The term “cut-throat” now appears and if someone isn’t selling enough, bad things happen. I remember an event back in the summer of 1966, when working at a major full-time AM that just moved 20 kHz. down and went to 50 kW days, 10 kW nights. It had been at 50 kW for only 10 months, and I was running the old Gates console at the studio/offices. A cab dropped off two well dressed ‘gents’ and they carried their brief cases into the general managers office. It was about 10 minutes later and the screaming started, and it was loud and full of profanity! The poor GM was getting badgered (more like reamed) about the money invested into the 50 kW transmitting plant, and why there wasn’t anymore revenue coming in! The dialog went something like, “WHAT THE F___ ARE YOU DOING? “WE GIVE YOU 50,000 WATTS AND WHAT THE H___ HAVE YOU ACCOMPLISHED? “YOU BETTER START BRINGING HOME THE BACON, MR. B______ OR YOU WILL BE BAKIN”. This screaming went on for almost an hour! They then left in a huff, got back into the cab with their briefcases and headed for the airport. The GM looked pretty haggard after the ordeal! Today of course this would probably not occur, because it would be deemed a “hostile workplace”, and subject to the oversight of the goozy trial lawyers. The engineering department wasn’t involved, because we did our jobs, and if we were not there, the station couldn’t operate because of FCC regulation at the time. However, this episode taught me something that I have never forgotten. Capitalism is about production, and if you don’t produce, you are in deep trouble. This is why I have stated many times, that the only way I would get back into the broadcasting business would be if I owned the station! And today, globalism (with its socialism) pounding away at the once best country in the world. It will take some dedicated freedom loving American citizens to turn the tide. The Internet today is wreaking havoc with newspapers and radio-TV broadcasting, but there is always a glimmer of hope with the right people running the show.
Ahhh, the bottom line and BIG GOVERNMENT. Let’s see, Paul, the administrator of this blog had 6.2% of his payroll taken out for the SOCIALISM SECURITY (which he probably will never see), and Pamal Broadcasting had to match the 6.2% SOCIALISM SECURITY out of their pockets. Now the LBJ MEDACARE; 1.45% from Paul’s pocket and 1.45% from Pamal’s pockets. Now, Paul’s paid vacation time, and any fringe benefits like maybe health care for him and his family??? Add it up! But I forgot something! The New York State unemployment TAX based upon payroll, and of course, we cannot forget about the FUTA tax by Uncle Sam. So, hiring an independent contractor starts looking pretty enticing! Pay a contract amount, write it off completely on income taxes and come out way ahead of having employees under the law. Most folks have a hard time seeing that the greatest cost to any business are the so called (new term) HUMAN RESOURCES! Pamal made an easy decision, but I would handled the situation with Paul much differently. If the situation was really dire, I would have offered a severance to any good loyal employee, but then again Pamal apparently didn’t.
Ahhh, the bottom line and BIG GOVERNMENT. Let’s see, Paul, the administrator of this blog had 6.2% of his payroll taken out for the SOCIALISM SECURITY (which he probably will never see), and Pamal Broadcasting had to match the 6.2% SOCIALISM SECURITY out of their pockets. Now the LBJ MEDACARE; 1.45% from Paul’s pocket and 1.45% from Pamal’s pockets. Now, Paul’s paid vacation time, and any fringe benefits like maybe health care for him and his family??? Add it up! But I forgot something! The New York State unemployment TAX based upon payroll, and of course, we cannot forget about the FUTA tax by Uncle Sam. So, hiring an independent contractor starts looking pretty enticing! Pay a contract amount, write it off completely on income taxes and come out way ahead of having employees under the law. Most folks have a hard time seeing that the greatest cost to any business are the so called (new term) HUMAN RESOURCES! Pamal made an easy decision, but I would have handled the situation with Paul much differently. If the situation was really dire, I would have offered a severance to any good loyal employee, but then again Pamal apparently didn’t.
John, You are correct in you assumptions regarding the reason. I am of the mind that everyone should incorporate, form an LLC and get an EIN. That way, there will be no more employees, only contractors. The contractors then negotiate their contract every year and provide their own benefits. They have their work responsibilities spelled out in the contract (no more getting extra work dumped in your lap), they can set their own hours, as long as the provisions of the contract are upheld. The company would get the financial advantages of writing off the contracted compensation as a business expense and not paying all those added taxes, etc.