Rookie Mistakes: You're Owed Nothing More than a Paycheque
Your studio, technically, owes you nothing more than a pay cheque.
For this video, I want to say that thinking your studio owes you more than compensation for your work, per the terms in your contract, is a rookie mistake. Your studio, technically, owes you nothing more than a pay cheque.
I personally take a lot of pride in and find value from my work. I want to do my very best, and this lesson or rookie mistake in particular is something that I have done a lot of loops around and through and back again on.
In our current times, we are thinking a lot more about our values and priorities when it comes to what we are or are not willing or able to do for work. And while this is understandable for a variety of reasons, something I need to remind myself of frequently is that in animation, we are working for a business, not a charity.
Our studios do not owe us benefits, Halloween parties, paid holiday breaks, life drawing classes, beer on Fridays, or even a right to ask questions in town halls. These things are certainly nice perks, but at this point in time they are by no means mandatory for studios to offer.
Your studio is not a political party or family. It is wise to remember that even though you may be a dedicated, loyal employee, you are not entitled to anything beyond the terms of your contract. It is harsh, and it should be remembered that as a business, your studio’s bottom line is money. That is just what business is.
This kind of brings us back to the idea of work/life balance. It is understandable to want to get a lot of fulfillment from your work on an emotional and personal level. Still, while we may love our work, work itself will never love us back. If work is something I love doing, that is a bonus. Ultimately, my job is what I do, it is not who I am.
Investing too much of your personal hopes in a business that technically doesn’t owe you more than a cheque every couple weeks is a sure way to lose your balance.
Andrew Hill and John Wooden say in Be Quick But Don’t Hurry say:
Balance in your personal life also lets you keep moving forward when things aren’t necessarily going your way. Haven’t you noticed that you can negotiate a better deal when you know that losing the deal isn’t the end of the world? Or that you do better in job interviews when you ask as many questions as you’re answering? When people perceive that you’re on the brink of a total meltdown, they can simply wait you out and watch you fall. But the strength and calm you project when you’re truly balanced make you far more powerful than when you come across as about to come unglued […] When you’re out of balance and overcommitted to a particular path, bad things can happen.from Be Quick - But Don’t Hurry!: Finding Success in the Teachings of a Lifetime by Andrew Hill with John Wooden
All this being said, remember, if you are watching this from Canada, you do of course have workers rights, and may even have the support of a union. Be responsible and utilize those resources like WorkSafe BC, review your contracts carefully, and consult with your mentors if something has you feeling uneasy.
