| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: What do you detest most about freelancing? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What do you detest most about freelancing?".
This poll was originally submitted by Konbaz . View the poll results »
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Law about freelancing in my country - Italy (Taxes, pension system, rules which prevent you from growing, if you want)
| | | | Carla Catolino
Italy
Local time: 01:48
Member (2008)
Italian to English
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| I completely agree with Gianluca....in Italy we mostly work for the Government! | Feb 3, 2018 |
Gianluca Marras wrote:
Law about freelancing in my country - Italy (Taxes, pension system, rules which prevent you from growing, if you want)
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Two things: I don’t like the erratic workflow (though this is also what makes the charm and the excitement of this profession) and I detest having to chase late payers and even worse non-payers…
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| | | Long payment terms | Feb 3, 2018 |
Period.
No, actually there is one more thing: When the clients (read agencies) get the idea to install own portal (sometimes including own CAT system), complicated pass words (that have to be renewed regularly), manuals to read, all kinds of rules and QA systems, and at the end of all a long assessment questionnaire.
[Edited at 2018-02-03 10:23 GMT]
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 01:48
Spanish to English
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Nothing really, from my own standpoint, as I really like what I do... In fact, intrusion in the field/market by the less-than-competent and/or unscrupulous is probably what I find most annoying, although "detest" is a bit strong there too. I'm sure many are victims of circumstance.
| | | | | ... and accounting | Feb 3, 2018 |
Yes, agreed, but we shouldn't forget it applies to other professions as well.
Carla Catolino wrote: Gianluca Marras wrote:
Law about freelancing in my country - Italy (Taxes, pension system, rules which prevent you from growing, if you want)
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tight deadlines, accounting, feast and famine... 
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Elena and David Dickens wrote: Yes, agreed, but we shouldn't forget it applies to other professions as well. Carla Catolino wrote: Gianluca Marras wrote:
Law about freelancing in my country - Italy (Taxes, pension system, rules which prevent you from growing, if you want)
True and that's why I referred to "freelancing" and not to freelance translators.
If you start your career as a freelancer in this country you know you have a partner who takes 65% of your income, without adding any value.
| | | | Robert Forstag 
United States
Local time: 19:48
Spanish to English
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| Erratic work flow | Feb 3, 2018 |
Like Teresa, I would say "the erratic workflow," and this goes for both ends of the spectrum. Worst are the long periods with little or no work. But periods of heavy work can be problematic as well (leaving time for little else, and involving long periods with little exercise and continually sitting at my computer, which I find is getting harder and harder to do).
I would put "small projects" in second place. Kind of hard to get excited about translating a birth certificate for $25 ... See more Like Teresa, I would say "the erratic workflow," and this goes for both ends of the spectrum. Worst are the long periods with little or no work. But periods of heavy work can be problematic as well (leaving time for little else, and involving long periods with little exercise and continually sitting at my computer, which I find is getting harder and harder to do).
I would put "small projects" in second place. Kind of hard to get excited about translating a birth certificate for $25 (that I have to create an invoice for and then track payment for). I tend to refuse such jobs unless they come from regular clients. ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Payment delays and follow up | Feb 3, 2018 |
I suppose agencies don't care if we live on credit and if we can't pay the rent on time while waiting for their meagre payments and always have to remind them it's due.
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Diana Obermeyer
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:48
Member (2013)
German to English
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The effort it takes to take holidays, notifying a large number of clients, clients "forgetting" that you are on holiday, large number of emails on return etc.
| | | | | Cuts both ways | Feb 3, 2018 |
Nina Khmielnitzky wrote:
I suppose agencies don't care if we live on credit and if we can't pay the rent on time while waiting for their meagre payments and always have to remind them it's due.
Then again, how many translators care if agencies go under or don't get paid by clients?
I've always had excellent dealings with agencies (mostly Dutch and Belgian, but worldwide); 5 years now without a single failed payment, and I don't particularly envy the work they have to do. I'd rather see a bit less moaning about them on here tbh, and the realisation that we're all links in a chain.
Worse thing about translating for me is the repetitiveness and long hours alone behind a screen. Surprised neither of these were listed.
| | | | Jasa Pipan
Slovenia
Local time: 01:48
French to Slovenian
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Richard Purdom wrote:
Worse thing about translating for me is the repetitiveness and long hours alone behind a screen. Surprised neither of these were listed.
This! My partner is a language teacher who speaks all day and when he gets home he just wants to be quiet ... meanwhile, I’ve been glued at my screen all day and I could do with a little chitchat
My primary answer were small projects. Besides the economically less interesting aspect, I find it is often easy to translate huge projects where you can really get into what you’re translating and familiarize yourself completely with the subject. With small projects, there’s just no space and time to do that ...
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