Should I sign this contract?

[kaZ8Teen]

So I've been working as a freelance designer for over a year now and just recently started working at an ad agency about 2 weeks ago. This is my first professional job so I'm noob to the biz world.

Anyway, the contract stipulates that I cannot freelance and can only design for the company. Is this common for ad agencies or do I have a control freak for a boss?

They aren't paying me enough to stop freelancing. The other designer that I work with is mediocre, but gets paid more than I do. And the biggest thing is that, I do not want to sign away my creativity!

Should I...

Give them the finger and walk out?
Demand a raise and sign?
Sign it and freelance anyway?
Get over it and sign?

No poll..would rather hear your thoughts.

 

[nickbits]

It is common for there to be some type of non-compete clause. What you might be able to work out is that any freelance work you want to do you have to clear with the company first.

PS I work for an ad agency.

 

[kaZ8Teen]

Oh word. That would be annoying. All of a sudden, being a poor freelancer sounds pretty good.

 

[mryellow2]

When I was a designer we had a non-compete clause as well but it certainly didn't prohibit any freelance work outside of the company's market.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: nickbits
It is common for there to be some type of non-compete clause. What you might be able to work out is that any freelance work you want to do you have to clear with the company first.

this

 

[kaZ8Teen]

so...sign and freelance anyway sounds about right lol

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: kaZ8Teen
So I've been working as a freelance designer for over a year now and just recently started working at an ad agency about 2 weeks ago. This is my first professional job so I'm noob to the biz world.

Anyway, the contract stipulates that I cannot freelance and can only design for the company. Is this common for ad agencies or do I have a control freak for a boss?

They aren't paying me enough to stop freelancing. The other designer that I work with is mediocre, but gets paid more than I do. And the biggest thing is that, I do not want to sign away my creativity!

Should I...

Give them the finger and walk out?
Demand a raise and sign?
Sign it and freelance anyway?
Get over it and sign?

No poll..would rather hear your thoughts.

They should know that imo. You have a lot of work and committing solely on this job doesn't replace the income.

 

[mryellow2]

Originally posted by: kaZ8Teen
so...sign and freelance anyway sounds about right lol

If you have no intention of abiding by the contract why the fuck would you sign it? Do you have any sort of integrity? Just tell 'em to fuck off and keep on freelancing or negotiate the terms.