New Manager Comes In And Wants To Dump Djs

[Dave80s 0]

Alright chaps, I could do with a bit of advice.

 

I'm sure some of you will be familiar with this scenario. A new manager comes into the venue and wants to change things. He has started questioning this and that and I can see what is coming, he is gonna get rid of me and the other lads and bring in his own DJs.

 

Now I think ce la vie, just let it go - but one of the lads doesn't want to go without a fight. We are all self employed and have no written contract, but I'm sure I read somewhere that a contract does not have to be in writing, just verbal or implied.

 

So if you did, say 10-12am every Saturday for 2 years then does that gives you some sort of legal protection against a kiss off?

 

Any comments?

[Reverandfunk 0]

I would have thought if he wants to get rid then he justs gets rid with no comeback. I would see the problem being proving the verbal contract.

[vokf 0]

I think it depends if the relationship is a business one (ie a service supplier), or as a part-time employee (ie cleaner/bar staff etc).

 

If you are working elsewhere, providing your own gear and they are not deducting NI/TAX, then I'd consider that you're offering a service.

As an employee, you have strong legal rights, but you have a good point!

 

ACAS should be able to offer you correct advice.

http://www.acas.org.uk/

If you belong to any associations, they should also have a helpline.

 

 

My personal advice would be to grab a coffee and chat to the new Manager and see if you can all work together. If things have been a bit dire lately, you may all have some ideas to turn things around, and he'll see that you're open to change.

If he refuses to talk, I'd say its time to move on anyway..

 

Jason

[Danno13 0]

Yep, unfortunatley I don't think theres much you can do. Yet another reason to always have something in writing!

[robbiedj 0]

The legendary Sam Goldwyn once said that "a verbal contract is not worth the paper it's written on."

 

Unfortuatly this is true. You don't get "squatters rights" with a regular gig unless you have a piece of paper with a definate cancellation clause.

 

He can cancel anytime he wants without a contract.

[brianmole 0]

My only comment is that once you see there is new management in place, make an appointment to meet them and discuss future plans in depth.

[cmj 0]

Happens all the time unfortunately, just gotta move onto a new challenge!! If its a chain of pubs the new manager may have been instructed to ditch djs/entertainment/ ot use an agency(even if they're cack) due to contractual obligations etc...

[milhouse 0]

My only comment is that once you see there is new management in place, make an appointment to meet them and discuss future plans in depth.

 

 

Yep - I totally agree.

 

I have had this situation in many venues over the last few years. In one venue alone they have had 4 management changes in the last two years and I've managed to keep both myself and the DJs I put in there. The way I work with that is - build a personal rapport with that person from when they first arrive. Discuss what they want, and adapt yourself to that managers preferred style. In some cases it may mean proving your worth all over again, but thats all part of the job as I see it.

 

There was absolutly nothing stopping them kicking us out and bringing in their own crew.

 

Once they see you are bedded in to a venue, you know the staff, the customers and are doing a good job, they will be daft to fix something that isn't broken. But the onus is on you to go out of your way to ensure the manager knows that. If you are just 'the saturday dj' then you could be anybody. Make sure they know who you are and you are part of the venue's current success.

 

You might be beyond this stage though, if this new manager is insistant on bringing their own DJs in, but I would say - dont give up the fight. Your job is worth fighting for!

 

Just my thoughts from personal experience, I don't pretend to be an expert on this matter! I wish you all the best of luck, let us know how you get on. :Thumbup:

Edited February 18, 2008 by JonWhittaker

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

nothing you can do... apart from meet the manager and find out why he wants to replace you and see if you can work out some sort of plan...

 

normaly its better if you just move on and setup in a better venue close by... then invite all the people who come to see you away from the old venue..

 

 

[Secret Disco 0]

Let him sack you...........then DJ in the Bar/Club as near to his and kill his business.

Managers are just as disposable as DJ's.

[DJJEG 0]

Let him sack you...........then DJ in the Bar/Club as near to his and kill his business.

Managers are just as disposable as DJ's.

Here Here

Just as i done

[UKHero 0]

Let him sack you...........then DJ in the Bar/Club as near to his and kill his business.

Managers are just as disposable as DJ's.

 

Do you guys live in the real world ???? Think what your saying and suggesting on this open forum thread.

 

Would you put these coments on your web pages???

 

I am a pro DJ but if I feel that you have sacked me with out cause will try to kill your business...

 

Come on guys!!!!! Also if the pub or club down the road is a success why would they want you????

[Mattaious 0]

Let him sack you...........then DJ in the Bar/Club as near to his and kill his business.

Managers are just as disposable as DJ's.

 

 

TBH thats not the ideal way to move forward,

If anything it will just burn bridges, And the way the trade is, you dont need to upset anyone.

 

 

Id contact the new owners and ask to chat to them about there plans, Go in with all your info, And have hard facts for them to look at,

 

You could also consider, offering a discount on the first booking IF they book you for say 3 Nights,

 

 

At the end of the day, you need to be confident of the service you provide, Thus, them not needing to look elsewhere for DJ;s

 

 

Again it goes back to the old - "Sell Your Services"

 

What can you offer that the other DJ Cant?

 

 

 

[Phil Cunnington 0]

This might be an opportunity for you to actually expand what you do in the venue.

 

A new manager gives you the opportunity to open a discussion and perhaps suggest additional services you can provide which makes you a more versatile and valuable commodity for him to sell to his punters/clients.

 

I bet most of us have had times where we have been working in one place for a while and have ideas on how to improve the quality and range of services offered or presented to clients.

 

Now could be a good time to impress, rather than sitting quietly waiting for the bullet.

[C.S 0]

If i was in the managers situation i would probably do the same thing especialy if there was not enough custom. djs who have been at residencies for long periods of time do tend to go stale. So my advice is just move on because you wouldnt want to play somewhere you wer not wanted would you ?

[Ian Stewart 0]

So if you did, say 10-12am every Saturday for 2 years then does that gives you some sort of legal protection against a kiss off?

 

This is not 100% true, there is a part of employment law that protects self employed people, if you work at the same venue/client for a period of time (not sure of the exact length) then you get the same protection as an employed person.

 

I know a self employed tennis coach who was sacked & won a unfair dismissal claim

[Phil Cunnington 0]

If i was in the managers situation i would probably do the same thing especialy if there was not enough custom. djs who have been at residencies for long periods of time do tend to go stale. So my advice is just move on because you wouldnt want to play somewhere you wer not wanted would you ?

 

I don't necessarily agree with this.

 

This is not a boy's club or mutual association, it is business which is DJ'ing.

 

Existing, or potential, procurers of service may have pre-conceived ideas of what they want but can usually be won over by sound business proposals especially if those proposals could improve income for the company and reflect well on him/her.

 

It may be that the new manager sees Dave standing at arm's length and that gives him the impression Dave is complacent or lazy.

 

There is nothing to lose. Make the appointment, approach it positively and think about how to make your services more valuable, all very professional. Might even take him by surprise.

 

The worst that can happen is he sacks you (which is already expected anyway), the best could be ............. ?????

[UKHero 0]

I don't necessarily agree with this.

 

This is not a boy's club or mutual association, it is business which is DJ'ing.

 

Existing, or potential, procurers of service may have pre-conceived ideas of what they want but can usually be won over by sound business proposals especially if those proposals could improve income for the company and reflect well on him/her.

 

It may be that the new manager sees Dave standing at arm's length and that gives him the impression Dave is complacent or lazy.

 

There is nothing to lose. Make the appointment, approach it positively and think about how to make your services more valuable, all very professional. Might even take him by surprise.

 

The worst that can happen is he sacks you (which is already expected anyway), the best could be ............. ?????

 

 

Phil why dont you post more you make good sence in your arguments...

 

Nik

 

[Phil Cunnington 0]

Phil why dont you post more you make good sence in your arguments...

 

Nik

 

I have been posting more, now my working arrangements have changed and I did explain that in the big NADJ discussion a few weeks ago.

 

Since then, I have kept to my word. History is past and I am now able to post more often and will whenever I can.

[C.S 0]

I don't necessarily agree with this.

 

 

 

I was only giving my opinion and what i would do in the managers situation so i wasnt looking for agreement ! You make good points but i still believe that changing the entertainment that has been there a while is correct. I have done residencies for years and this happens after a while and as a dj i feel there is nothing better than having to make a new start at a new residency. In fact i would almost say that the new manager is giving the djs a way out ! As a manager i would also question a dj who comes up with improvements because i would want to know why such suggestions hadnt been brought forth before. In other words if the dj had come up with things before then it would be to benifit the club and not just himself. People very rarely lose their jobs if they are doing them well ! Again just my opinion.

Edited February 19, 2008 by C.S

[NRG Roadshow 0]

I have been doing a res for over a year now.

But Im always aware that if the managment wanted to hire in another DJ then they could, its their right to choose what sub-contractors they have on their promises, so I would have a leg to stand on.

Its called competition and thiers nothing you can do about it.

 

Im all for bringing in new djs, Im trying to negociate my way into some local bars and pubs, to try and get more residencys.

[DJJEG 0]

When i take on a residency i always ask to install my own lighting effects ( make sure they are better than the ones already there) this helps place my own mark on the venue

If you cant do that, repair, clean up, replace bulbs ect it shows that little more effort

If they do get rid of you it will cost them to replace the lighting as well as the d.j

I think the expression is speculate to accumilate

 

 

[UKHero 0]

When i take on a residency i always ask to install my own lighting effects ( make sure they are better than the ones already there) this helps place my own mark on the venue

If you cant do that, repair, clean up, replace bulbs ect it shows that little more effort

If they do get rid of you it will cost them to replace the lighting as well as the d.j

I think the expression is speculate to accumilate

 

 

Just a thought what if say you have worked there for a year been through a couple or four managers then they give you the push.. How do you prove that those lights in the ceiling are yours and what entitlement do you have to remove them????

 

Nik

[DJJEG 0]

Just a thought what if say you have worked there for a year been through a couple or four managers then they give you the push.. How do you prove that those lights in the ceiling are yours and what entitlement do you have to remove them????

 

Nik

Good point Nik, i am lucky enough to work directly for the owners/ landlords but i suppose each time a new manager got appointed i would point out that the lighting ect is mine

I think the best way around this is once you have had permission to install your lighting point out to the manager what is yours & get them to sign some kind of ownership document & of course keep you receipts