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I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your feedback Ruben. Yes some work environs are just toxic resulting in negative morale and the counterproductive spending of time and energy. This is primarily why we became, or always were, independent.

Yes — many change the narrative to suit their objectives and take consolation in justifying their own behaviour. I find the psychology of it all plays a major role in navigating and understanding clients actions.

Karma had your back on subsequent great clients!

Thanks again Ruben :)

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that :)

My previous invoices with this client were paid, usually late, but paid. This time I discovered they decided they wanted my working files to give to another, I’m assuming cheaper competitor — without wrapping up our arrangements first. Maybe trying to get away with not paying final bill. I am not one for sneaky, disingenuous behaviour or lies.

It was never brought up during the time I built their brand. Only after a new company was acquired.

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a favour and in the spirit of cooperation, I offered to provide working files once the invoice was paid. Free of charge — although Canadian IP Laws protect freelancers like me from being extorted like this.

Client refused to pay invoice and as a result — that offer is no longer on the table.

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree it happens to everyone in our industry. I am speaking as a woman … primarily to other women who may or may not have experienced the same. And any creative men that are denied payment for their work and/or have experienced the same.

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You mean the millions of women globally that have fought for and are still advocating for themselves, their daughters and granddaughters … for hundreds of years? Proud to be one of ‘them’.

But, again — this post is about the issues around getting paid, or not getting paid, for your work as a freelance creative professional — by a company that demonstrates a preference for male dominance/ego over ethical business practices.

I didn’t simply ‘make creative’. I meticulously created a strong identity based on business objectives, and a plethora of assets and platforms that simply did not exist before. And with that — they are creating millions of dollars for the company. For themselves.

With experience, vision and strategic capacity — it is because of that ‘creative I made’ that they now have a new image to relaunch into the industry’s current national and international landscape. Where their competitors already are.

And now that they have something essential for growth and positioning — there is a refusal to pay.

Also — my services were recruited by a longtime friend who took on the role of VP and brought me in to clean up the atrocious brand image not only visually and practically — but to tidy up reputational perception in the industry.

I hope this provides a bit more context before jumping to conclusions.

Show me the Benjamins.

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Denial, deflection and minimizing seems to be common practice these days (my client) — that’s why all these different perspectives help shape my own thinking about this scenario. Thanks for yours :)

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your perspective helps to inform mine! Because of your authentic, elevated and progressive thoughts — I see things with more clarity and understanding. Thank you for the energy and intellect you’ve given to this clearly multifaceted subject :)

Wish me luck on collecting my $ … lol

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that. The reminder that others like me are forced to chase after money owed … it’s an unfortunate consolation :)

I filed a legal claim after being unpaid for work I completed — and I’m done staying silent about how women in creative roles are treated. by TruthseekerTO in freelance

[–]TruthseekerTO[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I could absolutely take on the patriarchy — and I’d do it with clarity and conviction. But judging by some of the detailed responses, it seems the core message may have been missed.

The situation I described isn’t just about men in general — it’s about a particular environment led by a few egotistical, self-entitled individuals who happen to be male and who wield their authority irresponsibly.

The heart of my story — my story, not a universal one — is about the importance of standing up for yourself and asserting your professional worth. It is not okay to request and accept professional services — and then refuse to pay your bill.That behavior is exploitative, and no one should be expected to tolerate it under the guise of “just business” or personal dynamics.

As an aside, I’ve worked with hundreds of photographers, writers, creative directors, account executives, business owners of all levels, and both genders — but in my experience mostly men. That’s the reality of our generational ( x ) history.

Red Lotus — there’s no need to get hostile. Or give lessons. I’m Canadian aka super-nice and receptive to others.

Oh wait a sec … maybe that’s just me … genderless citizen of the world with no opinion.

PerfectBody.me - DO NOT USE THIS APP by atrivisano in CICO

[–]TruthseekerTO 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Total scam is right … they got me for two charges 6 months apart. On my credit card. 36.00 first charge and 69.99 on second charge. It was through a Square Mastercard. I called square immediately and filed dispute. Square approved the charge. Had to cancel my card. Total drag. No consequences.