I work at a small agency that is a sinking ship and this morning my boss (owner/CEO) just fired a very integral team member (we all wear multiple hats) impulsively. Then I was pulled into her office and forced to say I like the company and her as a person or I was also getting fired. We have no HR dept and I’m aggressively looking for jobs (no interviews yet after 7 months of applying). Just really would like advice on any part of what I’ve mentioned. I’m broke (we’re underpaid) and miserable.

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Posting as :
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You are currently posting as works at

Dear God in heaven above… how did this industry get so fucked up?!?!

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You’d be surprised at how many other small agencies like this are out there.. this post is low key triggering :/

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Document everything. Encourage your coworkers to record all interactions and go to the Dept. of Labor. Threatening your job unless you stroke her ego is so ridiculously abusive. Good luck.

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Thank you!! I didn’t even know the DoL would help with something like this. Appreciate it!

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Dept of Labor is a great start

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I'm sorry, that sounds awful. I hope you're able to find something better soon.

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Focus on the best outcomes for you. Reporting a small company of 6 to the department of labor is just going to result in the company collapsing or at best an investigation will sow seeds of further distrust and be a central distraction to work. If I were in your shoes I would try my hardest to be heads down, focused on work, and looking for a new opportunity. In terms of dealing with a crack pot/unstable and possibly paranoid company owner, just pledge loyalty to diffuse and say “I love this company. My number one focus is to deliver great work.” Then get the eff out ASAP

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Thank you for this. This encouragement means so much right now. Really appreciate this community.

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Dedicate blocks of time every weekend to updating your resume and sending out applications, then the rest to self care. If you are let go, know that it has nothing to do with your work or value as a person. One day you will look back on this experience and will be glad you got out

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FYI, if you have any concerns about someone at your small agency seeing this, your agency name is showing up as your username.

Best of luck. I agree with the advice to keep your heads down and focus on getting out of there. It's unfortunate, but doesn't sound like the place will get any better, so best to move on.

Take care of yourself and give yourself grace, too.

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Ride the storm and keep searching aggressively
All the best!

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Lots of positions are hiring right now, so definitely update your profile on LinkedIn and start applying like mad. Take up any and all recruiters (unless the job sounds awful/not a match).

Try looking at your resume and cover letter again and make tweaks. I realized months after starting that I had a typo in my cover letter and I kept using that line because I thought it sounded good 🤦🏻‍♀️

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I understand your situation. I hope you get a good restart at life. Don't lose hope. This time perhaps be an opportunity to trial and error. Try every strategy you have up your sleeves to land a job!

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What department are you in?

Account team. We are now a company of 6. We had 15 employees this time last year with the same amount of business.

Go ahead and get fired. Apply for unemployment. Get out now.

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Looking for some advice here: I work for a client that loves me & I love him back as well. Get along super well with the creative team and we’re like “one team” . However, I am having problems with the management of my agency. I thought of maybe talking with my client about it (the CMO) to see if he pressures the account MDs. Any tips on how to solve this situation?

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Is it okay to join a new team and say "I expect your Support to myself" when you know you're not joining as a lead to the team.??

Can you lose your job if you don’t like the animosity from your creative team and speak up about it ? Genuinely worried I might be disrupting the peace by saying something 🥴 the anxiety is terrible! Do I just accept it that they don’t like me or speak up and potentially burn that bridge?

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Every partner that I work with

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Is it unusual to have a partner midway through a small engagement hand over his partner responsibilities to a Sn Mng (not on the engagement) and force the existing Sn Mng to report to them?

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Already spoke with a partner who wanted something done this morning for him to review and then we discuss again. Sent it to him about 4 hours ago. Should take him half an hour to review max. At what point can I check in with him to see when we can catch up so I’m not waiting in the office all day?

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Typical days on a difficult project with a difficult partner

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Thoughts on Jos A Banks suits and general button-up office wear?

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Do ZS Associates Indian BOA/DAA freshers wear suits in their first 2 years or shirts?

Have you ever yelled at your coworker in public?

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I have a virtual interview with Tesla tomorrow for an internship position. What should I wear? This would be first internship, so I’ve never interviewed for a position like this and am not sure how to dress (especially given it’s virtual). Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

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I have seen that Some people are seriously demeaning Publicis Sapient looks like they have a personal grudge. I would suggest to connect with your HR and manager in PS or look for right people on LinkedIn.

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Giving notice tomorrow. Accepted another offer. Nervous to tell my boss because I know I’ll be leaving them screwed but I’m miserable. Love my team. The client is stupid and the work is soul crushingly uncreative. But still feel guilty :(

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Let’s talk about wrongful termination. The other day I was fired in the middle of the day without any warning. My colleagues called me because they were confused on why the Talent Manager dismissed me from the chat. I didn’t know what they were referring to. So I called my PM to ask what was happening, and she said that she just got off the phone with the TM and said they were terminating my contract on the spot due to me speaking up about micromanaging. No explanation just kicked out. Advice?

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Hey Fishes,

Need likes & emojis
Can I get some
N here's some humour
What's the logic behind likes & reactions after 12 emojis and then we getto send a DM?
Boss: just do what is informed to be done, Don try to be over smart
Employee : I think this is the smartest way to jus DM Directly instead of getting likes & other reactions. Do you think that's really imp.?
Boss : in his mind this guy is too much chaalo...
Let me shift him to other team or.let me see if.i.can kick him out..
Lol!!

likefunnysmart

Just spent some time in Chicago for work and I love it. What is the main type of PR done there (media or other)? How is work culture, meeting people, dating scene? I’m in NY now

When the senior who you thought was your buddy throws you under the bus to make himself look like manager material. This is like high-school all over again.

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I am looking for an account executive with production experience to work on a fun national beverage account. 3-5 years experience. Located in nyc. Dm me for more info.

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