I recently had a long chat with my friend (let’s call him Bob), and he opened up about his experience working as a graphic designer in a startup. This story is an eye-opener and heart-wrenching.
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| Image via Unsplash |
Here is Bob’s story…
Bob was excited when he landed a graphic designer role in a startup in January 2023. He’d graduated two years ago with a bachelor's degree in Mass communication. However since he couldn’t find a job that aligned with the course, he decided to venture into graphic design, and within no time, he landed himself a role.
His journey began with excitement and anticipation, just like any of us starting a new job. The CEO was an eloquent and persuasive individual. He painted a vivid picture of success and prosperity, tempting Bob with the allure of a promising future.
For the first few months, he worked diligently, creating captivating graphics for the company's marketing materials, website, and social media campaigns. The CEO constantly praised his work and reiterated how critical his role was for the company's success.
However, after the second month, he didn’t receive his salary at the end of the month as promised. When he inquired from the CEO, he promised him a generous salary. The third, fourth, and fifth months went by with no payments. Backdated payments were frequent. And the boss would say that he’d pay upon the next round of funding.
But here's where it got tricky - that funding round never seemed to come through. The CEO had a never-ending list of excuses, blaming the bank's stringent document requirements or sluggish investors. He assured Bob that the money was on its way; he just needed to be patient.
As the months passed, Bob's patience wore thin. The promised paychecks were nowhere to be seen, and he began struggling to make ends meet. Bills piled up, rent loomed, and everyday expenses seemed insurmountable. To make matters worse, he’d invested in new equipment to enhance the quality of his work, believing that the long-anticipated financial windfall would justify the expense. But instead, it left him in a precarious financial situation.
One time, Bob finally mustered the courage to confront the CEO about the overdue payments. The CEO, with his well-practiced poker face, reassured him that the funds would arrive soon. He even showed him what appeared to be an official email from the bank, requesting additional documents to process the payment. Reluctantly, Bob believed him, as he had no reason to doubt his sincerity.
Weeks turned into months, and still, no payments came through. Bob was drowning in debt, his finances in ruins. He couldn't pay rent, and his meager savings dwindled to nothing. His world was collapsing, and he felt trapped, both emotionally and financially.
Desperation led them to reach out to the CEO’s brother, who worked for the startup as a project manager. The brother was well aware of Bob's dire situation but he gave him the same excuses. However, once in a while, he’d offer him handouts of ksh. 500 to keep him afloat.
Meanwhile, the CEO had seemingly disappeared. He wouldn't answer calls, respond to messages, or show up at the office. It was as if he had vanished from the face of the earth, leaving Bob with empty promises and unpaid invoices.
Bob felt utterly defeated, and the harsh reality of his situation weighed on him every day. He questioned his decisions, choices, and dreams. He’d invested time and talent in the startup, believing in its potential, but it was all unraveling.
The breaking point came when Bob received an eviction notice from his landlord. It was a stark reminder of the precipice he was teetering on. He realized he needed to take control of his destiny and not allow the CEO's empty promises to define his future.
Bob decided to seek legal counsel and reached out to a lawyer specializing in employment disputes. Armed with evidence of unpaid salaries, employment contracts, and the CEO's relentless false promises, he initiated legal proceedings against the startup. The battle was uphill, and the Kenyan court system isn't always swift, but he was determined to see it through.
As the legal battle unfolded, the CEO resurfaced, offering a meager settlement to avoid a protracted legal showdown. Although the settlement couldn't fully compensate for the months of unpaid work and the emotional distress Bob had endured, it provided some much-needed relief.
Final Thoughts
The experience taught Bob invaluable lessons about startups and the importance of safeguarding one's rights. It's not uncommon for ambitious entrepreneurs to make grand promises without the means to fulfill them. While some startups may eventually succeed, others may end up like this one leaving employees in the lurch.
This story is a cautionary tale for those considering such ventures. It's a reminder to be cautious, to protect your rights, and to maintain financial security while pursuing your dreams.
Although startups may offer boundless opportunities, they can also come with the bitter taste of broken promises that can tarnish the experience.
Remember, it's crucial to chase your dreams but not at the cost of your well-being and financial stability.
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