Hi Andy, thanks for your in depth response. I agree that it seems to be the norm that we have to work past 6pm. You mention it's not out of requirement but surely you have worked for a company where they have bitten off more than they can chew?. As an artist in those circumstances you don't have a choice, it has to get done.
You also mentioned that sometimes a project gets pushed through a weekend. I am glad you find that acceptable but I certainly don't. Luckily I have always worked for companies that know how to organize their projects. With proper scheduling weekends should never come into play.
"Nobody is 'expected' to put in extra time", with your experience you should know that it's hard for an artist to say no, fearing that it will affect their employment.
I love this work and feel lucky to do it every day but I also realize it's a business. As artist's we have to know our worth, nobody's time should be free. Think about the hours that your artist's put in outwith the normal work hours. Sure they love their job but think of those precious hours taken away from them that could have been spent with their families. I look at it in a very morbid way, imagine I die on Monday. Would I rather my last weekend on this earth be spent in front of a computer giving away my time for free or would I rather spend it with the ones I love. I am taking it to the extreme but you get my point.
"There is no extra hours built into any contract", maybe you should build in some padding.
I will give you kudos for being upfront. I have commitment and I have passion for the job but that's what it is in the end, a job. You will get people who are hungry to work in the industry and don't mind working extra hours but believe me there will come a time when they realize that they are lining someone else's pockets by working nights and weekends.
Companies undertaking the same practice as you are setting up a dangerous norm, it will only be stopped when artist's realize their true worth. This is a profession and should be treated like one.
It's sounds like you treat the employees well in other ways which is great. I am just asking for you to think about that last weekend on earth scenario, it sounds far fetched but as I previously mentioned, I know a couple of people who died young and believe me it's like life suddenly comes into focus. You realize you have taken it all for granted, our time is too precious to just give away.
