How is it legal for agencies to make you work unpaid overtime on nights, weekends and holidays with the thinly veiled threat of losing your job for lack of "performance" ?

likesmart
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Right to work laws.

like

Canadian law is completely different from American. Check the contract you signed when you started. You're likely salaried which means you're not paid by the hour and overtime doesn't apply. There is no salary limit to this (at least in Ontario where I live) it's simply a matter if you're salaried or hourly. Good bosses will give you a lieu day or two for working overtime (and you can /should ask for one) but there's no legal obligation.

like

It is legal. Some countries have work “maximums”, meaning you can’t go above X hours (I think it’s 90 in Japan? Someone please keep me honest), without the company facing consequences. The US is about what the market can bear. If the labor market tolerates (ie: doesn’t quit) with those work conditions, it’ll continue. There are a lot of unsafe biz practices and loopholes in the US. Long hours in advertising is just one little nugget.

like

Didn't mean to conflate the laws. Just saying the tendency to ignore the law which seems present in american agencies is also happening here in canada

I see some people saying it’s legal, but not. Some countries don’t pay overtime if you make more than X but there’s a healthy limit of working hours (usually 2h extra). In Europe and South America companies needs to pay overtime to whoever is not manager with employer powers over employees, so after 8hours you SHOULD get paid and don’t go over 2 extra hours.

like

What you can do to fight against it. From an anonymous email source starts to email you HR, head of department, with other agencies in copy from same group but different countries, with pro labor rights in copy, newspapers. .. everybody that could make them feel ashamed and worried about the repercussions. Add some cases of people that died overworked in advertising like Li Yuan from Ogilvy China, that girl from McCann india that died last year or Matsuri Takahashi who died at Dentsu Japan, what also put light on how Dentsu was operating and generated a big fine for them. The shit needs to get big so people starts to change things.

like

I can't remember when but somehow creatives got lumped in with the Professional exemption. IBM used to pay coders by the hour, but got the Federal government to exempt them in the 90s.

like

Are you putting all of the hours you work past 40 on your timesheet? If so, it will be easier to make the case for back pay if you determine your company is shortchanging you. If they are, and you get ridiculous pushback, get your $$$ then find a more honest shop. Good luck.

Thank you. I am brutally honest with my time sheets and no one has noticed (or cared). Think its time to start the search 👀

Related Posts

Had a final round at BCG last Friday. After the interviews they said that the would release results today. Then I got an email today saying they will only give the results on the next Friday. What could have happened?? I also know some people how interviewed on the same day as mine and got a rejection email today.

like

Hi fishes, I attempted an interview for software engineer post at Amdocs. I cleared the first round of interview and later contacted the recruiter for the same. The recruiter replied by saying they will let me know once panel will be available.

It’s been around 2 weeks I haven’t heard from the recruiter.

Can anyone guide me and help me with the same?
Amdocs

Hi - I am a career pivot from higher education into tech and have final round interviews for a DEI Coordinator role (which I'm super excited for). I am meeting with three people that I would be partnering with for the job and it was shared with me that these interviews will mainly be behavioral as well as questions on my technical skills. Does anyone have any resources to help me prepare for this? Anything is greatly appreciated!

like

Very 1st interview with PwC M&A, transaction services tomorrow - any tips!?🙏🙏

like

What’s the hiring market like in Texas for a 4th year investment management associate? I’m interested in Austin but understand there may be more opportunities in Houston or Dallas. Graduated with honors and on law review at a T14, if that helps at all.

like

I’m a foreign qualified lawyer who passed the NY Bar Exam recently. I’m looking to apply to law firms along the East Coast. How do I get in touch with a recruiter to help me with my job search?

like

Moving from mid-west, Is it cheaper to rent in winter than in summer/fall ?

like

Hey, can someone refer for audit fresher profile. Candidate is a CA.

like

Federer-Djokovic part 50 in Australia

Is anyone willing to consider hiring a content strategist/copywriter/CX expert? I'm desperate to leave a job that ended up being a bait and switch.

like

How would you answer the question "Why do you want to switch to data science?" during an interview?

like

What should i go for TCS 9.5Lpa or Rategain 11.5 lpa

like

What’s your take on the FRM and CFA? Do the associations provide any noteworthy networking/sales opportunities? Does it help with recognition for promotions or acquiring clients? Are there any other titles worth mentioning?

US traveling through UK covid restrictions

I am traveling to Greece next week and have a 17hr layover in London. My partner is not vaccinated for a genetic health reasons. Can we leave the airport during our layover if we have negative covid tests? The info online is mixed. Thank you!

Any one can help to get to know niche technologies and list them here in Accenture?

What arr the benefits given to whom is working on this niche technologies?

Eagles D vs WFT or Packers D vs BAL

like

Higbee or dulcich? Ppr

like

Sell Shopify or hold? Already 14% down today after the vaccine news. Will it recover?

like

I finished my internship at EY LLP (Feb-Jul) after nearly 6 months. I've been promoted to Senior Analyst. Is there a set time of month that I must be in this position in order to be considered for the next promotion?


Otherwise, is there a mid-year promotion?

like

Does Nagarro provide any hike at time of promotion?

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

Do you work on a single brand only or multiple (how many)?

like

What agencies do you think are the most supportive of women and families? i.e parental leave, work hours, etc

like

So how much money did Jim Carey get for his Super Bowl spot? Guesses?

like

Can someone explain how billable hours work? At a new agency and although I had to fill timesheets at my previous agencies, they were mainly used to ensure we weren’t over servicing a client/for setting the appropriate retainer for contract renewals. I asked ppl at my agency but haven’t gotten a proper explanation. I get the impression that billing to the agency admin code isn’t recommended, and my manager said he bills everything to client codes, but that doesn’t make sense to me .

like

I’m trying to get a talented, freshly graduated, AD an internship. Anyone know of some opportunities?

like

So we just had a brief where the strategy is just a big pile of nothing. How do I explain to the planners what we need from them?

like

Does Cannes not understand it's devaluing itself? It's the H&M of creativity. (Well not at $5 a pop but you know what I mean 🤭)

likefunny

What's the highest salary you know for a fact that someone in advertising is on, and what's their role and city?

like

Is there a planner in New York u admire?

funnylike

When you have rare moments of downtime what are your go-to websites to waste time on?

like

What's the bowl for asking questions about agencies? I saw it here last week but forgot to join.

like

Looking for senior designers that knows shopper marketing. Please DM with books!

Recommendations for places to look for UX/UI or visual design roles in Seattle? Not Amazon.

like

Is it normal to feel like a loser because you only won 2 One Show pencils instead of 25?

likefunnyuplifting

Creatives who left for tech. What is it exactly that you do now? Is it still writing or art directing? Or a different creative role? Hearing about people leaving for tech so I want to know what it means exactly aside from the benefits.

like

Anyone have a recommendation for books or resources on upping my sales game? Open to in person class, online class, books, etc!

like

Can anyone share any examples of outstanding direct to consumer healthcare ads?

like

I'm reading this book on boundaries. In the work section it says I should tell my boss that I can't work after 5 PM. Knowing that advertising work commonly goes past 5 PM...would my job be in danger if I said that?
There's not really a rule book that says I must work until the work is done even though it's an unsaid expectation. Thoughts?

like

Anyone know what it’s like to work at Amazon on the Prime Video business ? I’m actively interviewing but this process is so long and drawn out that I don’t know if I want to continue.

like

✨Q for Recruiters✨ When it comes to emails for jobs, do you care about the old school, “here’s why I’m qualified” & bullet points, etc., or just cut to the f*cking chase & attach resume & link?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal