...is this the norm?

22nd October, 2009 by Ryan Clayton

I am a tertiary graduate in Graphic Design and have worked for 1.5 years as a desktop publisher and 0.5 year in a seasonal role in Canada as a graphic designer for a ski resort.

I've recently moved to Melbourne to pursue a creative role in a small advertising marketing studio of which I have currently completed a solid two months of my 3 month probationary period of a full-time position.

The role is great and offers some really great design opportunities for a modest (almost) 1st year salary.

The workload is heavy but I had expected this to be the case. Due to the huge demand of work my hours have increased significantly in the past few weeks.

Office hours are 8.30am-5.30pm but a standard day goes something like 8.30am-6/6.30pm which i don't have any major gripes with. However there have been incidences in the past fortnight where I have worked 830am-11pm and most recently 8.30am-9.00pm.

I don't consider myself a lazy person by any means but 14 and 12 hour days are beginning to affect my moods and physical and mental health. I'm a firm believer in work/life balance.

I'm all for putting in overtime here and there and helping out in times of need, but I guess the whole reason for this blog is to ask you the broader Graphic Design community...

IS THIS THE NORM? Should I expect this from any studio positon I undertake? Should I be compensated for my overtime or request a salary increase?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

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Hello Ryan,
First of all - the hours you say you are working are not normal.
Also, Ryan, I cannot imagine that anyone would think you are a lazy person, and I commend you for placing this blog.
You are not required ever to work the long hours without reward.
Are you using a time sheet or is your time recorded electronically so that the client is billed for the time you put in?
Are the jobs you are working on, costed, and times, recorded somehow, against the job (jobs)?
It is not common practice to work for FREE for anyone, including very demanding clients.
But you have to consider that if you are working on particular projects, such as a new pitch, or new work for a NEW client, one has to put in the hard yards so that the business is won, or the client is kept happy. Sometimes, this is NORMAL practice, but only occesionally.
It is improper for your employer to ask you to do work for free. Your time, and the times anyone puts on a job, has to be costed out or billed, or at least recorded so that the company you are working for, can gain an idea on how much the job is worth.
Every minute of your time MUST be placed against a job. Your job "bag" should indicate to you how long YOU have to do a job and your studio manager or production manager HAS TO monitor this strictly - it's called budgeting against the client's expectations - and it is good business sense to keep things under control.
It is unethical to work on a job for a client for ever and for free. As long as you are on time and on budget, then you should not be having a problem.
Maybe you may need to speed things up, but, do not work on a job for longer than it is required.
Before you start a job, ask: HOW MUCH DO I HAVE - TO WORK ON THIS JOB?
If you, say, get a job that has 3 hours up against it - YOU MUST TRY TO WORK TO THE TIMES ALLOCATED.
If you feel it is unrealistic, you MUST speak up.
If you begin a job, and everyone is expecting you to finish in accordance to the times allocated, then, it is your time... not the company's time, nor should the client be billed for it.
Do not commence a job if you ever feel the times allocated are not suitable - for if you do, then, you only have yourself to blame.
It is your responsibility to tell your superiors that you are concerned with times.
I hope this helps you. Let me know how you go.
Xandro.
Posted by Xandro Lombardi on 26th October 2009

I think that those extended hours tend to be the norm in a lot of studios, however it is not the norm for your employer not to recognise your extra input.

As an employer, I wouldn't expect my staff to work those extra hours for free. You should be compensated with money, time in lieu or another agreed means.
Posted by Damian Monaghan on 16th December 2009

Hi Xandro & Damian,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my blog.

I am currently in the same role and things have improved out of site. My understanding is that the time of year was the busiest and I was also still learning a few processes. I since haven't done any unusual overtime, but no mention was made of the time I had already clocked up.

Xandro, from your suggestions I have been strictly recording each and every second I spend on a job and also asking seniors an estimate of how long i should be spending. Next time the issue of overtime is raised, should I have any concerns I will raise it with my boss.

Things seem to be in control at present but I'm bracing for the worse come busy season and feel better equip now to do so.

Thanks again for your help and advice.

Ryan.


Posted by Ryan Clayton on 29th January 2010