Empowering Musicians to Say No to Unpaid Work

This is not a hobby – it's our profession.

The MU regularly hears from musicians asked to work for free. Asking musicians to work for free is unacceptable at any time.

It’s even more galling during a global pandemic when:

• 65% musicians are facing financial hardship
• 47% musicians have taken jobs outside the industry
• 34% are considering leaving the industry, and
• 37% are not sure of their futures.

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". Everyone deserves a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – if they are a plumber, a shop worker, or a musician.

Have you been asked to work for free?

There are two things you can do right now.

• Tell us about it. We’re trying to build a picture of what’s happening, where, and to whom so we can come up with creative solutions and make sure no-one feels they have to work for low or no pay. Please fill in our quick form to let us know.

Fill in the form.

• Tell the world about. Share it on social media using the hashtag #WorkNotPlayMU.

Are you an MU member? Contact your MU Regional Office for advice on if that “opportunity” is really worth it, and strategies for negotiating a fee.

Are you thinking about hiring musicians? We can help.

Everyone deserves to be treated fairly at work. But people don’t always know how to work with musicians.

Explore all our advice on hiring musicians, looking at everything from what you need to consider, where to find musicians, and how much to pay them:

• Hiring musicians for a pub or small venue
• Hiring musicians for an event
• Working with music teachers
• Sync licensing for music users

Campaigns can move fast at a moment’s notice. Make sure your stay up to speed with the latest on the issues you care about the most

• Are you an MU member? Opt in to get the latest news and campaigns updates via My MU.
• Not a member? Join the MU Supporters’ Network. It’s a community of over 1000 people who love music, protect musicians’ rights and campaigning for a fairer industry with the Musicians’ Union.