| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: If you get really sick when you are on deadline, what do you do? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If you get really sick when you are on deadline, what do you do?".
This poll was originally submitted by Nicole Johnson
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run.... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If you get really sick when you are on deadline, what do you do?".
This poll was originally submitted by Nicole Johnson
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629 ▲ Collapse
| | | | Manuel Rossetti (X)
Local time: 07:21
| reply to poll | Oct 25, 2006 |
ProZ.com Staff wrote: This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "If you get really sick when you are on deadline, what do you do?". This poll was originally submitted by Nicole JohnsonView the poll hereA forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
I dont understand the question. 'you are on deadline' meaning- the deadline for the project is here and you are sick and you do not have the project completed?
(i'd vote for ask for an extension)
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emilysc wrote:
I dont understand the question. 'you are on deadline' meaning- the deadline for the project is here and you are sick and you do not have the project completed?
Yes, it means "you have an unfinished translation job, and you are very close to the deadline, and then you get really sick"
Regards,
Enrique
| | | | Nesrin 
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:21
English to Arabic
+ ...
| Really REALLY sick? Stay in bed! | Oct 25, 2006 |
Right now the majority have voted "keep working". But as I understand it, "REALLY sick" means you're unable to concentrate, you may be in pain - in other words you're incapacitated.
It happened to me last year when I was halfway through a translation project and I suddenly had this extremely painful ear infection which lasted for more than a week. I couldn't stand to look at the computer screen for more than a few seconds, and so I had to send the part of the document that had alr... See more Right now the majority have voted "keep working". But as I understand it, "REALLY sick" means you're unable to concentrate, you may be in pain - in other words you're incapacitated.
It happened to me last year when I was halfway through a translation project and I suddenly had this extremely painful ear infection which lasted for more than a week. I couldn't stand to look at the computer screen for more than a few seconds, and so I had to send the part of the document that had already been translated and explained the situation. I had no idea when I'd be feeling better again, so I didn't want to ask for an extension. I think that was the only right and straightforward thing to do. ▲ Collapse
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Irene N
United States
Local time: 01:21
English to Russian
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| I have a question | Oct 26, 2006 |
Stay in bed? Like put the pillow over your head, disconnect phone/email and get lost? I guess we ask for extention or help first, and then go back to bed:-) In that order I'd definitely stay in bed.
Cheers,
Irene
| | | | Pundora
India
Local time: 11:51
English to Hindi
+ ...
| Get help or ask for extension or stay in bed. | Oct 26, 2006 |
Though I voted for getting help, it depends on the situation actually and relationship with the client. For example, if it is my first job with the client and I tell him of my sickness he may think I am not trustworthy or have grabbed some better project and therefore making excuses. So, I'll try to meet the deadline by getting help from the best person I know and at least doing the proofreading myself then, if possible. If these things are not possible, then what else than bed?
On ... See more Though I voted for getting help, it depends on the situation actually and relationship with the client. For example, if it is my first job with the client and I tell him of my sickness he may think I am not trustworthy or have grabbed some better project and therefore making excuses. So, I'll try to meet the deadline by getting help from the best person I know and at least doing the proofreading myself then, if possible. If these things are not possible, then what else than bed?
On the other hand, if I am comfortable and have long relationship with the client there is no hitch in explaining the situation to him and requesting for extension if possible or telling him that I am getting help, etc.
Regards,
Pundora ▲ Collapse
| | | | | That's what friends are for! | Oct 26, 2006 |
Fortunately, I have very good health, and I've never been in a situation like the one I know Nicole must have had in mind when she suggested this poll. Imagine needing an emergency appendectomy, for example.
I answered I would get help. That's easy to do, with so many wonderful colleagues around. If you are a disciplined pro, use a CAT tool, and delivery time is near, you are most likely to be about to complete the job. Therefore, whoever takes over should find everything in order.<... See more Fortunately, I have very good health, and I've never been in a situation like the one I know Nicole must have had in mind when she suggested this poll. Imagine needing an emergency appendectomy, for example.
I answered I would get help. That's easy to do, with so many wonderful colleagues around. If you are a disciplined pro, use a CAT tool, and delivery time is near, you are most likely to be about to complete the job. Therefore, whoever takes over should find everything in order.
Even if I were working under an NDA, I can think of many trustworthy peers who would be able to help me out in each one of my specialty areas.
Of course, I would warn my client, as they would be receiving the translation from someone else.
People need people, and networking is as simple as necessary these days!
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| | | | Inga Jakobi
Germany
Local time: 08:21
Member (2006)
Chinese to German
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| first ask for extension | Oct 26, 2006 |
Hi,
as usual, this depends on the client and if the project is urgent or not.
IreneN wrote:
I guess we ask for extention or help first, and then go back to bed:-) In that order I'd definitely stay in bed.
I would do it the same way. First check wether it would be possible to finish the project a bit later, if this is not the case, ask a collegue for help and then get back to bed. If you don't get an extension and nobody can help you, but you are REALLY sick, then you still would have to get back to bed. That's the risk of a freelancer...
Inga
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| Ask for an extension | Oct 26, 2006 |
I took "really sick" to mean that you were physically prevented from continuing, not just that you felt a bit under the weather.
| | | | Claire Titchmarsh (X)
Local time: 08:21
Italian to English
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| Depends what really sick means | Oct 26, 2006 |
Anything less than hospitalization and I keep going, but just for as long as it takes to finish the job, then switch the phone and computer off and retreat under the duvet.
If you ask a colleague for help and they mess up the job, you'll feel sicker than you did before
| | | | | I'm with Claire | Oct 26, 2006 |
Fortunately I've never been REALLY ill, but I do regularly get very severe headaches (turning into migraines if not treated promptly). I dose myself up with painkillers until I've got the day's jobs done, then go to bed. But work has to come first - you may be able to win some sympathy and an extension from your regular clients without affecting future work, but with less regular clients you run the risk of looking unreliable.
Of course, if you really are being carted off to hospit... See more Fortunately I've never been REALLY ill, but I do regularly get very severe headaches (turning into migraines if not treated promptly). I dose myself up with painkillers until I've got the day's jobs done, then go to bed. But work has to come first - you may be able to win some sympathy and an extension from your regular clients without affecting future work, but with less regular clients you run the risk of looking unreliable.
Of course, if you really are being carted off to hospital, none of this applies! ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Keep working | Oct 26, 2006 |
Once again, the mighty laptop saves the day: I stay in bed AND keep working.
Anything not requiring ER treatment doesn't count as "really sick" in my book when it comes to deadlines...
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Nesrin
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:21
English to Arabic
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| I guess it all depends | Oct 26, 2006 |
Marija Stojanovich wrote:
Anything not requiring ER treatment doesn't count as "really sick" in my book when it comes to deadlines...
Sometimes you don't need to be hospitalised and you don't need ER treatment but it is just NOT possible to think straight and stare at a computer screen! (see my message above)
I don't think "really sick" means just having a blocked nose and a sore throat.
I did ask for an extension before when I wasn't feeling well, and to be honest with you, I felt that the client was thinking "yeah yeah, we've heard that one before". Unfortunately I couldn't go up to them myself to show them that I had fever and a swollen nose!
So when I had that incredibly painful ear infection (which took so long to clear up because it was misdiagnosed by the doctor) I felt the best thing to do was to submit a partly finished document a few days before the deadline, to give them a chance to find another translator to complete the project.
| | | | | 1. ask for an extension. 2. get help. 3. go to bed | Oct 26, 2006 |
I need the option 'several of the above' !
It happens to me now and then when I get migraine attacks.
Carrying on means quite a high risk of complaints from clients! The modern medication helps a lot and reduces the number of attacks dramatically, because I don't get anything like as sick (= dehydrated among other things) as I used to - which means I'm more resistant to attacks. But even when I feel all right, I have to wait a day or so before doing any serious work or proof ... See more I need the option 'several of the above' !
It happens to me now and then when I get migraine attacks.
Carrying on means quite a high risk of complaints from clients! The modern medication helps a lot and reduces the number of attacks dramatically, because I don't get anything like as sick (= dehydrated among other things) as I used to - which means I'm more resistant to attacks. But even when I feel all right, I have to wait a day or so before doing any serious work or proof reading.
If you're really sick, then you are not delivering your normal quality, and probably not acceptable quality. It happens to the best of us, and it's nothing to be ashamed of if you generally take care of your health. Nobody's perfect.
My client agencies are super at supporting me by delaying deadlines or finding a colleague who can help out. I do it for others when I'm back in business...
And I get help even if I've 'only' got the flu or something like that.
Educate your clients, take care of your health, and happy translating! We're all human, even clients ▲ Collapse
| | | | Aurora Humarán (X)
Argentina
Local time: 03:21
English to Spanish
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| Grays and my skills | Oct 26, 2006 |
Of course (again!) it depends on the problem in question... between a simple cold and ER there are many grays.
At any rate, any problem that would make me think of being 'really sick' is one that would somehow affect my translation skills. Even if I can sit in front of the computer and work...my translation may not be up to my standards. My client should not be damanged by my sickness and my stubborness.
D... See more
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