getting released from a contract

[sports_hustler]

My frustrations mount. The week was dreadful. The last day was nearly intolerable.

Has anyone here asked out of their contract before? If so, what was the reaction?

This isn't some sudden thing. I've been thinking about it for about 2 months. I'm tired of the fight here, but would gladly take my efforts somewhere else.

I've tried discussing problems. I've tried offering solutions. We run in place.

I don't want to leave the business, so I know my station won't want to release me. I'm also in no position (i.e., no tapes out there) for them to respond "yes, you're done...get out" to my question.

On the other hand, the request might finally get their attention.

Thanks for any advice.

[Order Up]

I was unhappy in the last market I lived in. I hated the area and a few of my co-workers were creating a very hostile environment. So I decided to go to the ND and talk about it. I stressed that I was not a good fit for the station and I thought it would be best for me to leave. I went in with a legal document that released me from my contract if I received an offer from any other station. To my surprise the ND signed it. All you can do is ask. And do it in a very "it's me, not you" kind of way. That worked for me and I kept my job while looking for another.

[thenewsleader12345]

First of all.. you need to have a tape together before you go in there (in case they tell you to take a hike).. depending on how much time you have left on the contract (if its less than a year).. you need to first start sending out tapes. You have to be prepared that they could tell you to take a hike. You also want to be sure than IF you were to leave.. you could get another job. Its not always easy.
If there seems to be options out there, and you are prepared to go... THEN go into the ND's office and ask if they would consider letting you go earlier to another market if an opp. presented itself.
They wont just let you go... but say if its only 3 months out from the end of your deal when you leave.. and its a far away market.. etc.. maybe.

[Weather Minus]

If your life situation has changed (married, dying family member away that you're going to take care of, divorce, etc.) since you signed, you stand a better chance of getting out but it's certainly not a guarantee.

[TAFKA wacowx]

I echo the above posters especially since you at least appear to be a sports person from you username. At least look for a job or have something on the horizon because it's tough out there, especially for folks looking for sports positions. You might want to just suck it up and keep searching while creating a kic-butt tape.

I was able to negotiate an out, although I actually didn't need it, because my family had some MAJOR financial troubles that I needed to take care of. They were sympathetic and let me interview for a few positions. Turns out I didn't actually land a job until my contract was up anyway...and it's outside of the business.

Have you discussed the porblems with the right people? Have you REALLY and truly offered solutions and answers or did you just plow into the NDs office and start b|tching and moaning about what's affecting you personally?

Have an agenda and tell them how unhappy you are and what is making you unhappy. And good manager will not want to have someone who is THAT unhappy on his team. But don't discount the possibility that some well-crafted suggestions might be taken and things may get fixed.

[ISTHISTHINGON?]

I'm on-air....had a contract where station had option to renew me for additional year if they wanted to. I went in two months before they would be required to make a decision and asked politely if they wouldn't renew my second year(stating they hadn't fulfilled what they promised when I signed on).
The next day they had the paperwork for me to sign...they were "exercising their right to renew for second year". graemlins/face_banghead.gif graemlins/face_banghead.gif graemlins/face_banghead.gif