I cannot imagine most people making the statements to a prospective brick-and-mortar employer that are written back in email to virtual prospective employers.

A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t say it to the person’s face – don’t type it in an email or post it on a comment board.

Knowing she couldn’t live on that, she started looking. Pepsi offered her a job as their front office manager for $7.75 an hour. That’s barely over minimum wage and for a manager at that! She didn’t tell them they were insane. Instead, she said no thanks and moved on.

What’s the point in complaining about a wage you feel is too low? If it’s too low for you, move on. It may be just what someone else is looking for.

Would the people who complain to clients about their rates here, complain to brick & mortar employers about what they are offering for a job? Probably not. They’d just say no thanks and continue to search for something suitable for them. Why can’t it be that way here?

Nothing looks or sounds worse than seeing a fully grown adult act like a spiteful child in a playground. How embarrassing.

I’m not sure where you got the impression I need “external validation.” Frankly it doesn’t matter how you feel about me. As I said in the post that started it all, I’m not looking for a praisefest or group hugs, I just don’t want clients to feel uncomfortable about posting jobs here. Nor do I want to make the members of this community uncomfortable.

I don’t care if you discuss wages. I don’t care if you feel a particular client doesn’t pay enough. All I ask is if you’re going to discuss a gig, in a post where the client emailed the job, you don’t insult the client – or each other. I really don’t think that’s too much to ask.

As tired as you are of hearing me “complain” I’m equally as tired of having to moderate comments, ask people to be nice, soothe the ruffled feathers of clients who longer want to post gigs here, and deal with emails calling me fat, stupid, and a dictator.

I love the interaction at this blog, but that doesn’t mean I want to see a lot of negativity or hostility. If that’s being controlling, so be it. I don’t ask for praise. I don’t ask for money and I don’t ask for thanks. I don’t even ask for you to show respect towards me. The only think I ask is for everyone here to be nice to each other. I think that’s a reasonable request, don’t you?

I think the issue has nothing to do with Deb personally, but the way her clients are being treated. This is a business essentially, and she has to consider the people who are coming to her to post jobs or else they won’t. That hurts the business. I haven’t seen Deb or Jodee asking for thanks or praise or ‘external validation’ either. I think they’re looking for people to behave as grownups and professionals. But I can see how you might have missed that.

This blog launched my freelance career two years ago. With barely a portfolio, I landed a regular PT gig at $50/hour that lasted almost a year. I have received three fabulous gigs off of here, and each time, I have sent Deb an hour’s pay — usually around $50. It’s certainly worth fifty bucks not to have to do all of this info gathering myself, especially if the gig is ongoing, as mine have all been. Deb and Jodee find jobs I could NEVER find on my own. I simply don’t have time. I do hope other people show the love, though!

I for one am SO grateful for everything Deb and Jodee do. I have steady work now, but I’ve been so pleased with the content now on the site … lots of great tips, ideas, and advice. Even when I’m not looking for a gig, I come here just for the info. Thank you x10!

Beth Grant