Anja Weggel Austria Local time: 13:33 Member (2007) English to German
my 2 cents
Jan 13, 2011
I totally agree with inkweaver... When I am off, I am off. I am a freelancer so it is my choice to go on vacation as much as I want (as long as I am happy with my financial situation).
I usually send an e-mail beforehand that I will be out of office and I try to schedule regular work around it. I also have an out of office reply and a trusted colleague most of my good clients know so they can choose to send him work.
If someone forgets about my vacation I cannot help it. And I am not so sure if that is really flattering. A lot of PM's have probably too much on their plate to have all the vacation dates of all the translators in mind so they simply send out work as they usually do.
By the way, for all translators out there who work during their holidays. What is the point of going if you only get stuck in a hotel room? I really love my job but I am just not prepared to do nothing else. So my 2 cents... put in the out of office reply and leave your laptop (and any other gadgets to check e-mails) at home...
[Edited at 2011-01-13 08:34 GMT]
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GerSi Slovenia Local time: 13:33 Member (2010) German to Slovenian + ...
why people don't take you seriously ...
Jan 13, 2011
When I was reading the replies to this post, I noticed two different types of dealing with this situation.
The one type is complaining and the other one says they don't have any problems with this.
What is the difference? Well, if you go on holiday, just make sure you write: "I will be out of office from ... to ... and will read my mail as soon as I come back", turn on the automatic reply and DON'T READ YOUR MAIL!
Why do you check your mail during your vacation?
If you do this and even reply during this time, well, no wonder they don't take you seriously and think you are just lying on your couch having nothing better to do than translating. If you are not available, you are not available period! Of course you can say you will be available for future jobs and if such job comes, they can contact you and you will just SHORTLY let them know that you are interested.
But I really don't come even close to a computer when I'm on vacation.
Some of my clients replied wishing me nice holidays and if I was not available because of a seminar or a course, I let them know it was education, not pleasure.
If they don't ask, why bother answering? It is not their business if I am on holiday or on a business trip really. The main thing they have to know is, that I am not available at that time.
@Sandra
There is another issue in your case. I've been running my own business for 4 years now and I have noticed a pattern. You took your time off during the period when the demand for translations is the highest. Many clients give their work out and leave for holidays and many translators take vacation as well. I guess your agency didn't have anybody else to turn to and by stating you will be checking your e-mail, you appeared the most approachable to them.
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sailingshoes Italy Local time: 13:33 Spanish to English
Because you're worth it
Jan 13, 2011
When I go on holidays I never look at my mail. None of my clients have ever died as a result or even abandoned me. If you live your life thinking of deadlines and (missed) mails, holidays have to be a break from that.
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