Question of ethics

[John Wilson]

Aaron,

Many people have commented on your attitude, rightly or wrongly. I will not. It was your choice to put your thoughts out there and it seems as if you simply want someone to agree with you. Accept the fact that you are getting honest feedback, based on your words, from a lot of people who have found great success in their careers and are taking time out of their days to offer you a little perspective.

It might not be what you want to hear but if you keep an open mind and accept the feedback you will end up better off.

Cheers,

JW

[Ron Lindeboom]

[Aaron Cadieux] “In a forum moderated by mostly employers and not employees, I was not surprised by the responses to my post.”

Aaron,

I have been an employee much of my life and my ethics and focus did not change whether I was the boss or working at the bottom of the pile as the grunt. It was the same, even when I was young and in college working nights as a janitor with no supervision, going to school and supporting my new family. It was hard and the work sucked. Cleaning toilets isn’t glamorous, I assure you. But my boss once told me when he came by and looked at my work, that he hadn’t ever seen anyone on any of his crews clean around and under and behind the toilets like I did.

Why did I do it when I knew that the others and even the guy that trained me didn’t do it?

I had a sister and a Mom. I had heard them talk in the car during roadtrips about how they hated restrooms in gas stations because they were so rank. So I cleaned the restrooms in the buildings in which I worked as if my Mom and sister were going to use them.

When I was at the bottom of the pile working as a grunt, my attitude was the same as when I became the boss.

You are not qualified — in my opinion — to run a company and direct people, if you cannot clean a toilet well. As long as there is a difference in your mind that separates some work as worthy and honorable, and some that is not — then you will always have a dichotomy within yourself. Far simpler to have one yardstick of performance that says that if I take a job, I do my best. Period.

If you can’t do that, you will always leave a trail of work of which you are not proud and will regret having others point to.

Best regards,

Ron Lindeboom

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

[Mike Cohen]

Many moons ago we had a guy who was a slacker. I gave him his review, indicating he would not be getting a raise. He went off on me saying I could not do his job, so why am I qualified to judge his performance? Yadda yadda yadda.

He also produced with lightning speed a printout showing what he should be paid based upon what Monster.com told him. He then went on to say he had turned down job offers for more pay.

Finally, in a meeting about changing e-mail providers, he said, and I quote, “I don’t feel comfortable changing providers. A new provider would use new software. I’m 40 years old, I don’t want to learn something new.”

Blank stares all around.

Do a good job, get paid for the good work you do. Simple.

I know life is not often simple.

Mike

[Mike Cohen]

Any employee, whether at a production shop or K-Mart, who thinks about working less than others as some kind of revenge, or just as a matter of their personality, is called a toxic employee.
Over the years, we have had a few toxic employees. Others would be affected, saying things like “John does not work as hard as I do so maybe I’ll slack off too.” When this happens, the toxic folks have to go. Don’t be toxic. Take the advice on this thread and stand up for yourself.

Mike

[Walter Biscardi]

[Aaron Cadieux] ” In a forum moderated by mostly employers and not employees, I was not surprised by the responses to my post.”

Not really sure what that means. This is a forum moderated by incredibly talented individuals who are freely giving of their time. I don’t know how many years of experience and awards are collectively held by all of us who moderate this forum, but it would be difficult for you to find as much talent in one place who are so giving of free information and advice as the Creative Cow.

One thing you will not find in this forum is a bunch of folks who will just agree with anything anyone says. We have opinions and lots of them. Nor do the moderators agree on everything.

If you’re not hearing what you want to hear, that’s not what we’re here for. Folks on this forum speak the truth. If what we’re saying from our own experiences does not support your argument, sorry, we can’t help that.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Biscardi Creative Media
HD and SD Production for Broadcast and Independent Productions.

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[Aaron Cadieux]

I love the feedback I’ve gotten. It’s just strange that it become personal right off the bat. The first response I got to my post was a personal shot from someone who doesn’t know me. I’m not looking to hear anything specific.

[Aaron Cadieux]

I love hearing what you guys have to say. I respect the opinions of everyone on this forum. Some (not all) of the first responses to my original question immediately became personal shots. Go back and read my first post, and then read the immediate responses. You can’t tell me they were personal. This is a forum about business, so why not keep it “business” and not make it personal?

[Mike Cohen]

I think this is a misconception on all forums. People ask a question. The responses reflect the varied personalities of the forum participants. This can come across as personal, but rest assured, we all have the best of intentions.

However we generally don’t expect people to get defensive. If you ask for feedback, respond but don’t take it personally.

Mike

[Ron Lindeboom]

[Aaron Cadieux] “I have been working at this company for 3+ years and only recently got my first raise. It was a sizeable raise, but, as far as I’m concerned, I am still underpaid. I am making $35,000 a year salary. I am their video editor, shooter and computer IT guy rolled into one. We don’t have much business coming in, so I know more money isn’t really an option, but at the same time, I feel it’s unfair to me to give them $50 or $60,000 dollars worth of work for $35,000. I am always looking for employment elsewhere, but it’s hard these days.”

Wow. I look at this and it’s pretty self-explanatory.

The boss is having a hard time and is barely making it because work is slow and business is not great. He/she gave you a “sizeable” raise but you think it’s not enough, even though the company “do[es]n’t have much business coming in.” You are looking for another job but can’t find one. Doesn’t that tell you what the reality of the market is? Or are you unable to see that your boss is keeping you working when they are likely making far, far less than you might presume?

I know plenty of bosses who pay their employees only to find that when it is all said and done, they have little to nothing left over for themselves and eventually the company either folds or lays off the people when they completely run out of money.

NOW, REALITY CHECK HERE, AARON…

You can either get off your high horse and roll up your sleeves and do whatever you can to try to strengthen this company in a horrible market time or you can contribute to the problems your boss is trying to fight through, until the whole thing collapses and you have NO job.

Not only is your boss fighting the current lack of market and business, but they are also up against the new administration that is saying things like — to quote them — “Yes, businesses should make money and turn a profit but that time is not now.” Huh? And my incentive for building a business is what when you take damned near everything I make to pay for those who were too stupid to tell the truth on their mortgage papers and said they were making $200,000 a year when they were actually making $48,000?

Here in California, over the last decade, 85% of new job creation was in government and only 15% was growth in private sector jobs. The 15% that doesn’t get the benefits or advantages and takes all the risks is going to carry the 85% that gets the benefits and takes no risks? Maybe, but they are not going to carry it for long…

Your boss is up against incredible odds and will likely not make it. The odds are well against them.

…and you are adding to these odds.

Best regards,

Ron Lindeboom

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual.

[Aaron Cadieux]

Once again. I work hard for them. I give 110% all the time. As far as they know, I’m content. So, in reality, I’m not making things more difficult for them. I guess I can understand how you might see my original post as a sign that I am in fact slacking. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I simply wanted to know if always putting in 110% is in my best interest. I gather from the responses that I’ve gotten that it is.

Thanks.