Opinions/advice wanted....

Anonymous

June 7,2022 at 2:09PM UTC

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Opinions/advice wanted.... I work one day a week for a publishing company as a writer and editor. I've come to realize that my boss, who has no assistant, has begun to suffer from early dementia. He hired me at a pay rate that the company can't afford, and ended up asking to cut both my rate and my hours from two days a week to one, which I accepted because I appreciate having at least one day of steady work a week.

Here's the thing, though: I get the feeling he's about to lay me off, again for pay reasons. He can get someone else for a lower rate, and in my opinion (if I weren't getting paid), probably should. In the meantime, he's been asking me every week to try to write a bunch of extra articles they can use for future issues of the publication I'm writing for. I assume this is because he wants to let me go, and wants some backup content in case it takes them a while to find someone new.

My question is this: Do I go ask him now whether he's about to lay me off, so I can ask him to do it in a way that allows me to collect unemployment--and that way I'll know what I can expect in the next few months?

Or do I hold off, just in case I'm wrong and he's not actually about to lay me off, so I can keep having my one steady day of pay?

For extra color, I might be able to make more doing nothing but freelance work at a better rate. And I'm also trying to do that with my other four weekdays already. But there's something comforting about steady work, even if it's not paying me enough.

BUT, it's a stressful place to work, because I work directly under my boss--and he's mentally declining. And it's a problem that nobody at the company is actively trying to address, even though I've sounded the alarm to the other higher-ups a few times now.

Sorry for the novel-length post--but if anyone has any insight to share, I'd love to hear it!

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Debra SesholtzJune 7,2022 at 3:14PM UTC
Totally understand the comfort level in having at least one steady client in addition to your other freelance work. Since you know financial issues are a problem at this company, perhaps you can seek another client that needs a regular level of support to replace or supplement this client. As far as asking if you are going to be laid off, rather than assuming, you could approach the conversation by asking why he wants the bank of additional articles and if something is going on. It may lead him to divulge future plans. Perhaps you can negotiate to freelance for them instead of losing them entirely as a client.
AnonymousJune 7,2022 at 5:55PM UTC
Thanks for this insight—much appreciated!
FGB userJune 7,2022 at 4:38PM UTC
Ask
AnonymousJune 7,2022 at 5:55PM UTC
Thanks for weighing in!
FGB userJune 7,2022 at 6:54PM UTC
we got you. you're not paranoid. if someone's opinion of you is lowered because of your trust in your instincts, they're not your people... your best interests are your responsibility - you got this!!
AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 6:11PM UTC
:)
Joanne RosenJune 7,2022 at 6:32PM UTC
Follow your gut! Ask now.
Also, could you connect with me? I may have freelance work for you. (or email: admin@writechoiceresumes.com)
Cheers
Joanne
https://www.analyticadvantagecc.com
AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 6:12PM UTC
Just emailed you now. Thanks!
AnonymousJune 7,2022 at 8:03PM UTC
A good deal of this are your assumptions: that your manager is declining, that you feel that you are being paid more than market, that you would hire a worker at a lower salary. Focus on the facts, rather than your worries. Your assessment might be incorrect. For example, your manager might be thinking of retiring and wants a bank of articles that he has edited to tide the publication over.
I suggest that you ask your manager about the extra articles and if there is a problem or need that you should be aware of.
If you are laid off, you should qualify for unemployment. In the meantime, build your freelance business and/or seek other writing jobs.
AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 6:11PM UTC
Thanks!
AnonymousJune 8,2022 at 11:23PM UTC
If your priority is paying your bills and stable income, the red flag should have hit you, when he wanted to cut your pay. Put yourself first. Don't bother to confront him. Expect the worst, apply for jobs aggressively and goodluck.