Thread: How do you handle subbing? X Post from tribe.net

For BD teachers out there who have schools with instructors under their school umbrella . . .

How do you handle payment if you ask one of your instructors to fill in/sub for a "gig" (teaching or dancing) outside of their regular teaching schedule and for which you had been approached to do but are unable due to absence, sickness, etc?

For example do you act as the agent, handle the money and pay the substitute either a flat rate or a percentage? (If a percentage then what percentage do you pay?)

Or do you have the substitute deal directly with the agent of the "gig" and allow them to take the full pay?

In addition, would you handle this scenario differently if you needed to ask someone outside your school to substitute (i.e. owner of another BD School or other professional BD teacher/dancer)?

One more question . . .

If you do ask one of your teachers to sub for you outside of the regular teaching schedule and trust the teacher to represent you, do you negotiate the financial terms with her or just tell her what the terms are?

For teaching it depends on the place. At one place I get paid per class- and they don't make a check out for subs, so I just pay her the whole fee. She's doing ME the favor by subbing.
At another place I get a % of the entire semester's take...so there is a flat sub fee that I pay. This fee is partially dependent on the sub's experience and ranges from $40-$60 per class.
For private performing gigs- I don't talk money with the client except sometimes to give them a heads up if they obviously have NO idea how much it will be. In those casses I tell them it will be over $200 (as I know how much the girls charge who i will be referring) and I leave it at that. No "agent fee", I know they'll do the same for me. I only refer dancers who I know will do a good job, who are professional, honest, reliable and responsible and who fit what the client is looking for.
When I need a sub for a restaurant gig I first go to the list of regular dancers, then go through the list of subs. Usually that's all that's needed.
There are a couple places where I'm the only dancer or almost the only dancer- that's a little more tricky, but i call one of the girls I would also be happy to refer private parties to- give them the scoop on the venue and tell them how much to expect etc.
I never take a fee. I appreciate that I can refer someone who i trust to do a wonderful job. I don't think of it as me "doing them a favor" - as they're already working professionals.

Thanks for replying Samira,

I was getting a bit desperate hoping someone would reply.

I would love to have any other thoughts or input . . . .