TV News: Contracts
BiB Contributor | Anonymous News Director
Since I began posting, I’ve offered my opinion on a wide range of topics including: social media, interviewing, and building the right culture.
Today I’m going to talk about contracts. Some stations have them, others don’t. Some only tie in talent. Others extend the process to producers. Photographers are rarely, if ever, covered.
At any rate, if you haven’t run into the subject already, you inevitably will. Eventually, you will be offered another job while you are under contract. Do you attempt to break it? Do you tell the other station you are under contract?
The best thing you can do is to be honest. If you’re offered your “dream job” while under contract with another station, weigh the costs and benefits. Read your contract over: Do you have outs? Is there a buy-out clause? Are you willing to burn a bridge with a company?
One thing I always consider is how long you’ve been with our company. From a management perspective, it always takes two to three years before I feel like I’ve received a return on my investment. The first year is spent getting acclimated to a new system. If you’re trying to get out of your contract before your initial term is up, that shows a lack of commitment; it would be a red flag to me as well as any company trying to hire you. Remember – contracts are set up to protect the company. They generally offer talent a little more security and money as a commitment to them. If you fail to show that commitment in return, it doesn’t say much about you.
The best way to handle a contract is before you sign it. Is your prospective employer willing to write in outs? Under what conditions? What penalties would you be forced to pay if you broke contract? Every one of these items should be negotiated ahead of time and put into writing. The absolute worst thing is for an employer is to be surprised. If they hired you, they deserve your respect; they would be right expect you’ll stay for the duration of your contract. Essentially, it is your word. As long as both sides are living up to their end of the agreement, there should be no reason to break your promise.
Tags: anonymous news director, breaking, broadcasting, contracts, television, tv news
