Poll: Given the choice, would you prefer an in-house position? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Given the choice, would you prefer an in-house position?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | Been there, done that | Jan 2, 2015 |
I took early retirement because I was tired of the office routine. I've been much happier ever since, though some years I haven't made as much money. Happily, that problem is behind me.
[Edited at 2015-01-02 08:20 GMT]
| | | | Jack Doughty 
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:39
Russian to English
+ ...
In memoriam | Best of both worlds | Jan 2, 2015 |
Was in full-time employment, retired on pension & continued freelancing, which not only doubles my income but keeps the brain active.
[Edited at 2015-01-02 09:46 GMT]
| | | | | Been there, done that! | Jan 2, 2015 |
I love the independence of freelancing, but I couldn’t do it without the experience I gained from my 20 years as in-house translator.
Happy New Year to all Prozians!
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Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 07:39
Member (2009)
English to German
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For nearly 2 decades I held an in-house position. Aside from the social security benefits and the foreseeable fixed monthly income I don't miss it. I love the independence of freelancing too much.
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I have always been happy as a freelance, but I have to say that given all the costs (taxes, pension) in Italy, I have started feeling "in danger".. it seems you have to work more and more to have less and less, and if you have to work 7/7, well it is not that nice to be "officially free" to work according to your own schedule, because the only schedule you have is: work work work and pay pay pay (for an inefficient state)
Sorry... just disgusted by this country
| | | | | No, definitely not | Jan 2, 2015 |
Today, I would not change my freelancer status with anything...
There are so many advantages (like we have mentioned before): working from home, being your own boss, deciding your own schedule, own business relationships, no transport, no office gossip etc.
But I must say that enjoying this today is on the foundation of many years of in-house experience, not only as a translator, but also as a teacher, administrative assistant, PA, paralegal, regulatory associate and more, a... See more Today, I would not change my freelancer status with anything...
There are so many advantages (like we have mentioned before): working from home, being your own boss, deciding your own schedule, own business relationships, no transport, no office gossip etc.
But I must say that enjoying this today is on the foundation of many years of in-house experience, not only as a translator, but also as a teacher, administrative assistant, PA, paralegal, regulatory associate and more, accumulating the knowledge and skills that I am now using and taking for granted. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Mario Chavez (X)
Local time: 01:39
English to Spanish
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| Been there, done that...but never say never | Jan 2, 2015 |
I've enjoyed the learning experience, the software crash courses and the selective comraderie (that doesn't last long) in in-house positions, but there are at least 3 factors that make me think twice about taking up an in-house job:
1) Salaries have stagnated across industries for in-house specialized translators to 2000 levels.
2) Health insurance, once a nice and affordable perk too costly for independent practitioners, is now a must-have due to the ACA law in America.
... See more I've enjoyed the learning experience, the software crash courses and the selective comraderie (that doesn't last long) in in-house positions, but there are at least 3 factors that make me think twice about taking up an in-house job:
1) Salaries have stagnated across industries for in-house specialized translators to 2000 levels.
2) Health insurance, once a nice and affordable perk too costly for independent practitioners, is now a must-have due to the ACA law in America.
3) The current office space arrangements in modern American companies are detrimental to quiet and reflexive work as a translator.
The next best thing is contract telework, which is extremely rare to come by, but I've experienced it recently at higher-than-market rates. ▲ Collapse
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Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 02:39
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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| No offense, but | Jan 2, 2015 |
Only somone who has not worked in-house yet would vote "yes" here. Having a boss, defined working hours, fixed payment notwithstanding productivity or quality, and working in someone else's equipment/office are some of the factors a freelancer gets rid of and never wishes in his/her life again.
| | | | | Only under special conditions | Jan 2, 2015 |
Only if the pay is $10,000 a month and I can work from home and just visit the office once every three months or so. In other words, no.
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Mario Freitas wrote:
Only somone who has not worked in-house yet would vote "yes" here. Having a boss, defined working hours, fixed payment notwithstanding productivity or quality, and working in someone else's equipment/office are some of the factors a freelancer gets rid of and never wishes in his/her life again.
I worked as in-house web editor/translator for some time, before starting my career and I definitely agree with you.
But I voted yes, and I confirm it, and I tell you, if you lived in this country you would love an in-house position.
Just a few examples:
Pension scheme is now 27% of your income (gross obviously), it will be 33% in 2 years.
Some freelance translators sometimes see about 60/65% of their income flying away and going to pay an inefficient state.... for a pension they will never see.. Yes, that's the beautiful aspect of it... you give money that you will be never given back.
If you want to put it in numbers: to have a net of € 1000 you need to work for € 3000, unfortunately, € 1000 with a rent of about € 500, bills and two kids is ... how can I say.. Nothing?
SO here in Italy, an in-house position would be brilliant, fixed working hours, weekend off, holidays paid, if you're sick... paid. Then obviously, it depends on the salary...
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I really do have nightmares about going back to my in-house job. I had one just last night.
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Gianluca Marras wrote:
if you lived in this country you would love an in-house position.
I live in Italy, but nothing would make me take an in-house job. As others have said... been there, done that. You may think an in-house job is more "secure", but all it takes is for your boss to turn around and tell you he no longer needs you, and you are out of a job. As a freelancer, your customers would all need to fire you for you to find yourself in the same position.
I love the fact that my future is in my hands, and that I have the power to take it where I want to.
Those who speak Italian may be interested in this article by Alessandra Farabegoli:
http://www.alessandrafarabegoli.it/freelance-fai-i-conti-invece-di-lamentarti/
[Edited at 2015-01-02 22:03 GMT]
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 02:39
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
| Not much different heer, Gianluca, | Jan 3, 2015 |
Gianluca Marras wrote: Gianluca wrote
here in Italy, an in-house position would be brilliant, fixed working hours, weekend off, holidays paid, if you're sick... paid. Then obviously, it depends on the salary...
In Brazil, it would be tthe same, plus you have a 30-day remunerated vacation, health insurance, meal vouchers and 13th salary (among other things). I have a private pension plan and health insurace, and I will pay the government insurance in private too, very soon. I have paid government social security for 20 years, so I have to pay on my own unltil I'm 65 to have both retirements.
But making all the calculations, if I work at home and have service for, like, 4-6 hours a day, I will still make more money on my own than working in-house for a company 8 hours a day, even paying social security, private pension plan and private health insurance. I'll never have the remunerated vacation and the 13th salary again, but these do not pay for all the other advantages I have being a freelancer.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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