Re: the etiquette of outstanding balances

**"* B* <l*@msn.com>**

Hi, Wendy, et al!

Sad to say, the only time I ever have had to ask about my back pay has been from writing assignments.  As has been discussed, always be non-confrontational, make sure you're dealing with the right administrative person who processes the payments, etc.  Got to the point with one that I had to take the position of holding off future writing until back payments were satisfied.  Resulted in no more work from them.  And, as it happens, they filed for bankruptcy  a while back (Journal Register) and today I received a debtor's claim package in the mail.  Not that I think I'll ever collect anything.  Sad story, sad ending.

With the other publications, payments were eventually made and I have continued writing for them.  I've concluded that they're just very inattentive, nothing personal.  Life's too short for that.

But I did learn that if you don't ask (which I found very uncomfortable for many reasons), you won't get paid.  And if you continue to write while the bills remain unpaid, you don't help yourself or the publication.  I think if you engage your editors about this, they will not be insulted but on the contrary, will have more respect for you for standing your ground.  I DO understand your discomfort with all of this.  I found it demeaning but knew in my soul that I shouldn't continue to write when I hadn't been compensated for previous columns.

Lorraine 

Lorraine Ballato 
Brookfield CT 06804 (where the snow is hopefully melting for good!)
-------------------------------------------
>  On the other hand, I have a good
> working relationship with the editorial staff and don't want to  
> contribute
> to their difficulties. In the three years I have been with them  
> they've
> always treated me fairly. If I do take a break, should I be honest  
> and tell
> them I just can't maintain an outstanding balance that high? Or  
> would that
> be insulting?
>

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