To have just quit my job, rather than fought my corner?

[designerbaby]

I've been working at a big design agency for nine years, during which time I've had two stretches if mat leave - came back from the last one in January and have been working part time (variously 3 or 4 days a week) since 2008. I have just quit to work freelance.

There's no one reason, commutes, lack of flexibility etc. but all of the small issues would have been manageable (or put-up-with-able) if I still felt valued as a senior creative.

Basically it is a very busy agency, and quite chaotic much if the time, and bit by bit I've been effectively sidelined. Before children I was working on the top accounts, being creative lead, basically at the top of my game.

IncreasIngly I have been given smaller, less creative projects, and decisions about my work are often made in my absence (only ever one day at a time) which feels disrespectful and frustrating. I'm working at the level I wax at ten years or more ago.

There have been numerous conversations about how my skills and 15 years experience might better be used, but they come to nothing despite my best efforts to make it happen. I just don't think there was the appetite to make it happen, it would take more effort and organisation than people are willing to put in.

So I've quit. I'm the last female senior creative, it leaves a creative team of 24 blokes and 2 very junior girls.

A colleague from another dept. heard that I've handed in my notice, and says that I should have fought harder and that it sets a bad precedent for the future...

I'm just tired and fed up, and a bit hurt that after 9 years (award-winning) service they couldn't be arsed to use my skills properly and just want to get out.

I'll probably earn more doing my own thing, and have far greater flexibility around my girls' needs but I will miss the studio and being part of a team.

AIBU to just have quit? Should I have fought harder for the sake of other women in my position?

Feeling a bit low about the whole thing at the mo...

db
xx

Also, it's all very well saying "Kick up a fuss, you should have exactly same rights as full-time workers" etc. but the fact is, if we truly want equality then we have to put in an equal amount of work - no matter how you dress it up, working part-time is NOT the same as working full-time, so you shouldn't expect partiy when it comes to promotions or prestigious client accounts or perks. Sorry, but that's just reality.

All kicking up a fuss with HR will do is make them avow never to hire any women of childbearing age ever again and resist letting anyone ever work part-time. Okay, they may go the way of the dinosaurs, but somehow I think their clients will keep using them because they will get their work done, even if the company doesn't have a family friendly policy...

Thanks for all the support... I'm pretty sure I've done the right thing for me. It's a big step, but I've plenty of contacts who I can start to hit for work, and the MD of the company I work for (who to be fair has always been really really supportive - although sadly not that involved day-to-day any more) has said that he, personally will be keen to continue to work with me on a freelance basis... Which was nice and also useful!

Do I think they deliberately worked me out? No, don't think so, but they certainly didn't go out if their way to make the three day thing work well either. Not malicious, I don't think just shortsighted, disorganised and a bit lazy.

And don't get me wrong, I didn't expect the same level of responsibility that I had before, especially with regard to managing others... However, my strengths have always lain in ideas generation, problem solving and creative direction, and I had a baby, not a labotomy, last time I checked...

Seriously, whenever I have contributed in these ways I know I've delivered and then some, so I honestly can't understand why they won't use me more in this capacity, which seems infinitely compatible with a three day week... .

Especially since I'm actually in the studio more than many if the other senior creatives who spend much of their time in internal management meetings, doing people's reviews and stuff...

But look, I get a bit riled when I think about it, but honestly, with two kids, commuting, a house to run and a husband who works A LOT I honestly don't have the energy or the appetite for a big fight about it.

Surveys have been done, and there's a reason there are hardly any women over 35 in creative roles in the industry, I guess...

Thomas, you may not be me, you may make different decisions about part time/full time work or you may end up at a less busy, more organised or more enlightened agency. I can't find your thread - what's the title?

And if you do find yourself in my position then pm me - I might be in the market for a great freelance working mum, who's been undervalued by her employer and wants to use her talents on her own terms...

And my friend wasn't trying to make me feel bad, she's a working mum too, and gas been through the same difficulties, and left a previous position for similar reasons, regretted it, and is cross on my behalf that I'm in the same position, that's all. She's not trying to make me feel bad, she's encouraging me to fight, but understands why I'm not.

I really hope the freelance thing works out or I'm really stuffed...

Good to hear it working for so many though. Perhaps it's the future...

db
xx

Total proverbial right decision.

Hurrah!

Sounds like you've made entirely the right decision and that you have the right attitude about the whole thing.

In terms of why they didn't use your creative genius - as you say, it's their loss. But could it also be that the other senior creatives stuck in review meetings would have been insanely jealous at you getting to do the nice bits of the job without the boring corporate stuff? It kind of goes hand in hand...