Are Small Video Agencies Underpaying and Overloading Employees?
In recent months, I’ve observed a concerning trend within the landscape of small to mid-sized video production agencies. Many of these agencies seem to be adopting a practice of offering low compensation while stacking multiple roles onto a single employee, often leading to unrealistic expectations and underappreciation.
The Reality of Multi-Role Expectations
It’s not uncommon these days to come across job listings that appear both underwhelming in pay and overly demanding in responsibilities. For example, a single role might expect an employee to handle videography, editing, client communication, and potentially even post-production tasks—all at once. Sometimes, the compensation offered is barely sufficient for a dedicated specialist, let alone a jack-of-all-trades.
Imagine hiring someone who not only has to shoot footage but also edit, manage client relationships, and handle other responsibilities typically spread across multiple team members. If that’s the case, why not just take on the entire project myself? It’s akin to hiring an account executive who’s also expected to design, write copy, and handle production — essentially a one-stop shop tasked with more than what’s realistic for a single individual.
The Salary Dilemma
These agencies often present such roles with salary offers that are shockingly low—sometimes under $40,000 annually. Considering the breadth of skills required, that rate appears to undervalue the employee’s expertise and effort substantially. It’s a common scenario: the agency gains a versatile worker but at a cost that doesn’t reflect the true scope of their work.
Comparing Large Firms to Small Agencies
This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in smaller or emerging firms, rather than established, prestigious agencies with larger budgets and clearer role delineations. Larger organizations tend to offer better-organized roles, fairer compensation, and more clearly defined responsibilities.
Your Experiences
I’m curious—have you encountered similar situations? Do you have stories about being asked to wear multiple hats for minimal pay? How have you navigated or resisted such demands? Sharing experiences can shed light on this growing concern within the industry.
Final Thoughts
As professionals in the creative and production space, it’s essential to recognize our worth and advocate for fair compensation and realistic workloads. Overloading employees and underpaying is not sustainable, nor does it lead to quality work or job satisfaction. Let’s discuss—what’s your worst story from working at a small video agency?
