Poll: Have you ever lost a potential job because of a personal or a family activity/emergency?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Aug 2, 2018

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Have you ever lost a potential job because of a personal or a family activity/emergency?".

This poll was originally submitted by Sadek_A. View the poll results »



 
Angus Stewart
Angus Stewart  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 23:40
Member (2011)
French to English
+ ...
Yes, lots of times Aug 2, 2018

Yes, I have lost out on lots of potential jobs, because I didn't want to sacrifice arrangements I had made for personal leisure activities or family events. This doesn't bother me as I long as I am able get sufficient work during the hours that I am available. At the end of the day it is important to have a good work/life balance and at my peak periods if I were to take on all the potential jobs I was offered I would be working 24/7 and still not able to do them all.

Linda Miranda
Elena Simonelli
Zuli Fernandez
Mike Sadler (X)
 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 23:40
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
I’m not sure (probably, but nothing comes to my mind) Aug 2, 2018

Since I started translating I never had a real emergency. I had to remove my thyroid some years ago, but I had enough time to prepare myself: during my recovery time a colleague and friend replaced me. I lived in Belgium alone for over 30 years, so family activities meant traveling and I’ve always informed my regulars that I was taking days off. Anyway I was never very far from a computer and I used to check my mail frequently.

 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 16:40
Member (2003)
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes, lots of times Aug 2, 2018

While I don't have a family and I manage to keep my own emergencies under control, I do lose a lot of work because of house guests. I live in a beautiful part of Southern California and happen to have two guest rooms, so guests come quite often to stay with me. I do enjoy the company, but it never fails that work comes in when I'm committed to my visitors.

[Edited at 2018-08-02 08:42 GMT]


 
Marjolein Snippe
Marjolein Snippe  Identity Verified
Netherlands
Local time: 00:40
Member (2012)
English to Dutch
+ ...
Oh yes Aug 2, 2018

Lots of times. Most often because I do not read my emails outside working hours (for me, that is 9ish-5.30ish) - so that I can spend time with friends and family.
I am also quite happy to reject potential jobs when I have other activities planned.


Amir Arzani
Zuli Fernandez
 
Kay Denney
Kay Denney  Identity Verified
France
Local time: 00:40
French to English
Of course! Aug 2, 2018

Anyone who answers no either doesn't have much work or doesn't have much family life or hasn't worked for very long.

Of course I have turned down jobs that would have required me giving up weekend activities. I value my social life, I don't want to spend all my time working, much as I love my work. In order not to burn out, I need a break now and then.

For the moment I have been lucky not to have to turn anything down because of emergencies.


Angus Stewart
Jennifer Forbes
Zuli Fernandez
Fitri Ratna Irmalasari
 
José Henrique Lamensdorf
José Henrique Lamensdorf  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 20:40
English to Portuguese
+ ...
In memoriam
I never 'lose' jobs Aug 2, 2018

If I can't take a job for any reason, I'll refer the client to someone in my network that I know as capable of doing it well. Likewise, when a colleague is in such a fix and asks me, I'll do whatever I can to cover for them.

One important point is that I don't expect individual reciprocity; my reciprocity is with the network as a whole. I have referred clients/jobs to colleagues who never sent me any. Likewise, other colleagues send clients/jobs to me, though I've never referred any
... See more
If I can't take a job for any reason, I'll refer the client to someone in my network that I know as capable of doing it well. Likewise, when a colleague is in such a fix and asks me, I'll do whatever I can to cover for them.

One important point is that I don't expect individual reciprocity; my reciprocity is with the network as a whole. I have referred clients/jobs to colleagues who never sent me any. Likewise, other colleagues send clients/jobs to me, though I've never referred any to them. The gray area - in terms of coverage - shared by two translators shifts every time you replace one of them with another.

The second important point is that I don't outsource; I'll put the client in direct contact with my colleague, and wish both good luck. If the job is in our mutual gray area, our quality and rates will also be the same.

So when I throw a job I can't do to a member of my network for any reason, eventually the network will throw another job to me. I assume that being only one, I wouldn't be able to do both jobs and still have time to care for family affairs. Therefore the job is not 'lost'; at best it is replaced.
Collapse


Fitri Ratna Irmalasari
 
Vera Schoen
Vera Schoen  Identity Verified
Sweden
Local time: 00:40
Member (2008)
German to Swedish
+ ...
No Aug 2, 2018

If I for one reason or another choose not to work or check my e-mails (activities with family or friends, weekend, holydays), I don’t consider such jobs lost. I work very hard and believe I deserve some time of.

Ashutosh Mitra
Laura Nagle (X)
Zuli Fernandez
Michele Fauble
 
EvaVer (X)
EvaVer (X)  Identity Verified
Local time: 00:40
Czech to French
+ ...
Not emergencies... Aug 2, 2018

As others said before, I come home (or turn my computer on in the morning) and there may be offers that are no longer applicable. BUT - would I accept them if I actually examined them on their merits? Some of them, OK. I don't remember any job lost thus that I specially regretted.

 
Mario Freitas
Mario Freitas  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 20:40
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
A few times, yes Aug 2, 2018

In 30 years, of course it has happened several times.
And I really think those who voted "never" haven't been long enough in the profession, don't have a family, or it's a miracle.


 
Anastasia Kingsley Kinkusic
Anastasia Kingsley Kinkusic  Identity Verified
Member (2011)
Croatian to English
+ ...
The dog did it, lol Aug 2, 2018

About six months ago my frisky puppy chewed the cables and I couldn’t figure out why only our house didn’t have internet. I couldn’t meet my deadline so I had it reassigned, but it was more humorous than tragic. Life gets in the way sometimes, particularly when you work from a home office.

 


To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator:

Moderator(s) of this forum
Jared Tabor[Call to this topic]

You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request »

Poll: Have you ever lost a potential job because of a personal or a family activity/emergency?






Trados Studio 2022 Freelance
The leading translation software used by over 270,000 translators.

Designed with your feedback in mind, Trados Studio 2022 delivers an unrivalled, powerful desktop and cloud solution, empowering you to work in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

More info »
Anycount & Translation Office 3000
Translation Office 3000

Translation Office 3000 is an advanced accounting tool for freelance translators and small agencies. TO3000 easily and seamlessly integrates with the business life of professional freelance translators.

More info »