Thread: Performing at event for my job and question about honorarium

I performed at a fundraising gala event at the organization I work on Saturday and my performance was a huge success and everyone loved it as did my boss. They were really grateful and provided me a free ticket to attend the event. Inititally, when my boss approached and asked me if I would be interested in performing, she asked about the details such as fees, etc. And I told her about my rates and she was okay with that and told me later that it would be provided for me after the event. I still haven't received the money for my performance and realize she had a lot on her mind that night.

My boss is a wonderful woman who has been great to me at work and provided me with great personal and professional opportunities. She event granted me a 4 month leave-of-absence to go to Europe and have my job waiting for me when I come back to my town. Now I am thinking whether or not I should say something about my fee for my dance performance at the gala or not? I suppose I can look at it as doing something good for my employer and good references? Is it too cheap if I ask when I will get my money?

Would you say something in this case, when it's your boss and you could treat it as doing a volunteer dance performance?

Normally, in any other case, I would never ever leave the venue after a performance if I didn't get my money right away in cash, but this is an exception.

What do you think? ANy ideas or suggestions? Should I ask for the money or not?

Thanks
Goldie

I would discuss the situation with her. If you decide to donate the performance then you could share that with her. If you want to stay with the agreed-upon deal of payment then that should be addressed. If you are not comfortable talking face-to-face you could send her an email, but I prefer face-to-face. Hopefully the situation slipped her mind but either way I feel it should be addressed. By chance did you have a contract? IMO such situations are better handled asap. Time can lead to awkward situations.

Sometimes things get overlooked, especially in a business that's used to processing invoices, when there's no piece of paper. (This is true if it's a larger business with an accounting department, and sometimes even more true if it's a small business where the boss has a thousand responsibilities and no assistant!)

You might ask your boss if it would be helpful for you to print up an invoice for your fee?

If you're seriously considering donating the performance at this point, you might say "Hey, I so enjoyed performing for the event! I never got my payment though, is paying the fee a problem? If so we can work something out I'm sure. Would it be helpful if I printed up an invoice so it can go through the regular payment system?"

If I were your boss, I'd be embarrassed about overlooking it & grateful for the reminder.

Four months leave of absence and your job was waiting for you. My boss is a wonderful woman.

Hmmm....I'd let it go and continue the good karma vibes!

As usual, well said Lauren. No matter what you decide I feel it would be best to have a face-to-face discussion. I think it is wise to be straight-forward, especially with a boss.

You're certain that your boss didn't mean for your free ticket to the event to be your "payment"? I could see some people thinking that way...

I would actually start with the invoice rather than a chat. Big smile & "here's that invoice for the performance for you," can help save face if she just forgot, and if there is a problem, it puts the ball in her court for addressing it. If there is a problem, I probably would drop it in this instance, with some comment about "let's get this in a contract next time so we're both clear on what we're doing."
Good luck!

Hi guys:

I asked her very nicely and indirectly and she told me that my cheque for my dance fee is on its way!!! I kinda of feel bad about asking but i was quite diplomatic and told her that I would still be happy to donate my performance for the event.

Anyway, am getting my money so it's good; I hope she doesn't think I was too impatient.

But when i think about it, we are all creative dance artists, so one way or the other, it should always be perfectly okay to ask about our fee. It took us years of hard work to get to where we are

Glad it worked out. I like Lauren's approach. Your boss sounds like a terrific person and it would've seemed so out of character for her to not pay you. Hope this is a trend!

If invited to perform there again you might want to present an invoice prior to the gig. In a perfect world that would take place once terms were agreed-upon and you have time to complete the contract. Since it seems the the corporate wheels pay slowly the more time the better.