Now she
knows: During her freelance writing career, Writer Abroad has
been fortunate. She has never before had a piece accepted, edited, a contract
signed, and then, after turning in the final edit after many hours of work, had
a piece fall into a black hole only to find out via Facebook of all places that
the editor of her piece was laid off.
It seems
like a common problem in the United States, based on other writers’ experiences, but the entire
situation—trying to email the publication’s other editors only to get no reply
on the piece’s status, along with silence from the contract department—feels
rude and unprofessional.
So many American
publications rely heavily on their freelance writers, and yet, treat them
horribly at the same time. It makes Writer Abroad wonder—why do we, as American
writers, accept such treatment?
Why do American
writers accept things like work for hire contracts, poor pay, no pay, or lack
of respect? Because when one of us accepts that, it forces others to enter into
these kinds of situations as well. And while Writer Abroad won’t write for
free, always asks for a better contract, and doesn’t mind saying “no” anymore,
the lack of respect situation, like the one she has just experienced, she has
no answer for how to handle, other than to shrug it off and move on.
But here’s
what bothers her: there is a lack of respect for many employees and contractors
across the United States these days. The fact is, editor layoff situation
Writer Abroad just experienced wouldn't have happened in other parts of the
world. That’s why Writer Abroad thinks Americans need to fight back and realize
that some of this horrible treatment is an American phenomenon. We deserve better.
In Switzerland,
for example, if you are laid off, you have a three-month notice period. This means you can finish up projects
and collect what you need for three months before you are simply cut off from your employment
world.
When Writer
Abroad’s editor at a Swiss publication was laid off, for example, Writer Abroad knew in
advance and then could work together with her to finish up pieces that were in
process. There was no silence. No piece half-done and left hanging. No rude
lack of reply for a piece that she had put hours of work into. And while no
system is perfect (since knowing you are laid off and still having to work for
three months brings on its own issues), it sure beats the rudeness that comes
from the immediacy of an American firing.
What do you
think?