| Stron w wątku: [1 2] > | Poll: The majority of LSPs/agencies assume that translators work weekends. You... Autor wątku: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "The majority of LSPs/agencies assume that translators work weekends. You...".
This poll was originally submitted by Julian Holmes. View the poll results »
| | | | | At least they try | Nov 2, 2013 |
They may not always assume we will work on weekends, but they unapologetically try to make us do it.
| | | | Tim Drayton 
Cypr
Local time: 13:27
turecki > angielski
+ ...
| I have no problem with weekend work. | Nov 2, 2013 |
As long as I can take two half days out each week to deal with shopping and other necessities, I can work for the rest of the time, regardless of whether this is at the weekend or not.
| | | | Thayenga
Niemcy
Local time: 12:27
Członek ProZ.com
od 2009
angielski > niemiecki
+ ...
Yes, this is the "common" idea LSPs / agencies have. And why not? They're working weekends, too. Sometimes a translation simply can't wait and needs to be done on / over the weekend.
Generally speaking, I try to have two days off per week, and it doesn't really matter (most of the time) whether they "coincide" with the actual weekend or not. This is one of the advantages of freelancing, you work when there's work, and you take a day or two off when there's no urgent work to take car... See more Yes, this is the "common" idea LSPs / agencies have. And why not? They're working weekends, too. Sometimes a translation simply can't wait and needs to be done on / over the weekend.
Generally speaking, I try to have two days off per week, and it doesn't really matter (most of the time) whether they "coincide" with the actual weekend or not. This is one of the advantages of freelancing, you work when there's work, and you take a day or two off when there's no urgent work to take care of private issues. ▲ Collapse
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Mary Worby
Wielka Brytania
Local time: 11:27
niemiecki > angielski
+ ...
I would say that the majority of LSPs 'hope' that translators work weekends but are not in the least surprised or offended to find that some don't.
| | | | neilmac
Hiszpania
Local time: 12:27
hiszpański > angielski
+ ...
My clients assume this, as I do work weekends (should really be working now, am just passing through). What others do is up to them.
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Like Tim I have no problem with weekend work (that's the beauty of being a freelancer and to be honest I do prefer taking days off during the week when everyone else is working) but the majority of my customers do not assume that I work weekends, quite the contrary...
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Some of my clients assume I work during wkds, some don't assume and ask politely if I do and some assume I don't work.
I work during wkds only if it is urgent and / or I didn't plan anything else together with my family. My husband has a regular job (M-F), so the wkd is for spending time together. If it happens I have / want to work, then it is father-sons time .
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Jana Kinská
Czechy
Local time: 12:27
angielski > czeski
+ ...
| Is it a good idea... | Nov 2, 2013 |
... to schedule this particular poll for Saturday?
Would you expect many translators who do not work weekends to be actually logged in and vote today?
Well, as a matter of fact, I did vote, for "disagree", as I rarely work weekends. Maybe I'm the exception that proves the rule.
Oh wait... I would actually like to do at least a little bit this weekend so that I can feel comfortable and stress-free on... See more ... to schedule this particular poll for Saturday?
Would you expect many translators who do not work weekends to be actually logged in and vote today?
Well, as a matter of fact, I did vote, for "disagree", as I rarely work weekends. Maybe I'm the exception that proves the rule.
Oh wait... I would actually like to do at least a little bit this weekend so that I can feel comfortable and stress-free on Monday. Not necessarily urgent, but I guess it's worth the price.:) ▲ Collapse
| | | | Alexandranow
Rumunia
Local time: 13:27
rumuński > angielski
+ ...
| disagree with them | Nov 2, 2013 |
They may assume, but they should think translators are just people with same rights as other people. We might work on weekends seldom and for higher rates. Right?
| | | | Alexandranow
Rumunia
Local time: 13:27
rumuński > angielski
+ ...
| not only them | Nov 2, 2013 |
I just want to mention one of my clients for whom I worked several years for long periods (months) all weekends and holly-days. Do not imagine he appreciated my effort. Never, not one time. Is not the rule for all my clients, but I think they do not deserve our time, for granted. We have rights
| | | | Julian Holmes
Japonia
Local time: 19:27
Członek ProZ.com
od 2011
japoński > angielski
| Unfortunately, Agree | Nov 2, 2013 |
It is my poll, after all.
Thank you all for your comments so far.
I think this assumption that we translators work weekends -- and without weekend rates, too, in lots of cases -- was originally a Japanese export. Like some of you have said, some agencies don't even bat an eyelid when they ask you at 5:30 pm on Friday to deliver a job by 9 am Monday.
Some are surprised and even offended that you tur... See more It is my poll, after all.
Thank you all for your comments so far.
I think this assumption that we translators work weekends -- and without weekend rates, too, in lots of cases -- was originally a Japanese export. Like some of you have said, some agencies don't even bat an eyelid when they ask you at 5:30 pm on Friday to deliver a job by 9 am Monday.
Some are surprised and even offended that you turn down these "generous offers" which generally arise due to organizational snafus or poor planning. So, the translator has to bear full brunt of someone else's incompetence.
Privately, I do prefer working weekends -- it's nice quality time for me. However, I don't like my generosity and availability being taken for granted. It's my choice and not for the customer to decide or impose on me.
Something to think about:
"Would you expect a lawyer or a doctor to work weekends for you?"
Anyway, have a nice weekend, y'all
p.s.
I have spent (read "wasted") the past 5 minutes watching a small jumping spider on my computer screen chasing my mouse cursor. It's still following the cursor as I type here. Dopey spider, you can't eat this mouse. Tee hee!
Little diversions such as these make the day, don't they. ▲ Collapse
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| It depends... | Nov 2, 2013 |
It depends on my weekly schedule. If I work all week I need two days to relax and re-charge. Last week I worked very little so I'd be happy to take something on now.
| | | | Magda P.
Włochy
Local time: 12:27
włoski > grecki
+ ...
| There's something else | Nov 2, 2013 |
I have worked during weekends and it's not a huge problem but there are parents out there who do this job whose kids are, of course, home during the weekends.
(& I agree with Muriel)
| | | | R. Alex Jenkins
Brazylia
Local time: 07:27
Członek ProZ.com
od 2006
portugalski > angielski
+ ...
| Psychologically speaking... | Nov 2, 2013 |
It's harder to get going and get motivated at weekends in comparison to weekdays, simply because routines seem to be different for other people, including the translation agencies. No-one is complaining, but when family, friends and colleagues tend to have time off during this special period, a translator needs to have extra inner strength to push him/herself to work when others are not.
It's no big deal, but it is a question of adapting one's mind and accepting that you're not the ... See more It's harder to get going and get motivated at weekends in comparison to weekdays, simply because routines seem to be different for other people, including the translation agencies. No-one is complaining, but when family, friends and colleagues tend to have time off during this special period, a translator needs to have extra inner strength to push him/herself to work when others are not.
It's no big deal, but it is a question of adapting one's mind and accepting that you're not the same as everyone else, even if others think you should be. ▲ Collapse
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