| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Do you have your fixed working hours although working at home? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you have your fixed working hours although working at home?".
This poll was originally submitted by Pirily
View the poll here
A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more ... See more This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you have your fixed working hours although working at home?".
This poll was originally submitted by Pirily
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
| | | | | Unfortunately I have to work too many hours... | Oct 12, 2006 |
...and many of those are in the middle of the night and on Sundays. So the minute I run out of projects in the middle of a weekday (which does not happen very often) I switch off the computer and go out for several hours, to compensate.
Astrid
| | | | | I'm workaholic | Oct 12, 2006 |
Unfortunately, I'm a real workaholic. I work until very late at night every single day of the year. I can go out to run some errands, teach my classes at the University, a party or whatever and as soon I get home I turn on my PC again.
For example, in July I went under emergency surgery and the very same day I got back home started working as if I hadn't 12 stitches. As a client told after a very, very long project, "I am very lucky you're on a sickness leave, and could finish this ... See more Unfortunately, I'm a real workaholic. I work until very late at night every single day of the year. I can go out to run some errands, teach my classes at the University, a party or whatever and as soon I get home I turn on my PC again.
For example, in July I went under emergency surgery and the very same day I got back home started working as if I hadn't 12 stitches. As a client told after a very, very long project, "I am very lucky you're on a sickness leave, and could finish this project."
These are some of the reasons my family completely opposes my getting a laptop, since they think that I would go out with it or, I would go to bed and continue working from my bed.
If I don't have translations (not very often), then I surf the web looking for new material for my students, reading articles on grammar, information systems, translation...
In fact, my doctor just told me that I have to go on vacation (no cells, no PC, no TV) no later than December, if not he will sent me "home".
I have to learn...life is just one, and very short.
[Edited at 2006-10-12 16:48] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | In all honesty, ........... | Oct 12, 2006 |
Astrid Elke Johnson wrote:
...and many of those are in the middle of the night and on Sundays. So the minute I run out of projects in the middle of a weekday (which does not happen very often) I switch off the computer and go out for several hours, to compensate.
Astrid
....... we choose to Astrid.
Nobody puts a gun to our heads. Yes, granted it feels sometimes like we become public property and others decide our schedules for us but those of us who consistently burn the midnight oil and work weekend after weekend are normally:
1) in demand because of our proven ability in a given area (e.g. law)
2) have already set the precedent by "doing the impossible" in the past and clients (whether agencies or direct clients) have come to expect it of us
and
3) we are workaholics at heart anyhow.
So whilst we might bemoan the fact that we never have free weekends or time for the normal pleasures of life, it's only us at the end of the day that can change it.
We are the ones who have to learn to say no.
I suspect, if the truth be told, some of us simply don't want to.
Happy long hours of translating
Debbie
[Edited at 2006-10-12 18:03]
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Reed James
Chile
Local time: 12:49
Member (2005)
Spanish to English
| Most of the time... | Oct 12, 2006 |
I find that overworking my brain is counterproductive. I have learned when to stop and when to say no to new projects when I have enough, or sometimes more than enough on my plate. as the Spanish saying goes: "El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta", which roughly translates as "Don't bite off more than you can chew".
There are those rare times where a project takes longer than I expected it to and I need to burn the midnight oil or work on weekends. Nevertheless, I try to avoid these si... See more I find that overworking my brain is counterproductive. I have learned when to stop and when to say no to new projects when I have enough, or sometimes more than enough on my plate. as the Spanish saying goes: "El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta", which roughly translates as "Don't bite off more than you can chew".
There are those rare times where a project takes longer than I expected it to and I need to burn the midnight oil or work on weekends. Nevertheless, I try to avoid these situations.
My work schedule is usually from 9:00 a.m. until 6 or 7:00 p.m. I absolutely love it when Chile goes on Daylight Savings Time, and the United States goes on Standard Time. This means that I get to work two hours each morning before any clients' offices open, and it also means that I do not have to stay up as late in order to meet deadlines on the following day.
Reed ▲ Collapse
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With an 11-month old around it's hard to have fixed working hours.
Sometimes he lets me work in the afternoon, others (like today) he doesn't. So, I have to catch up at night when daddy comes homes and can saty with him after dinner and after having taken the dog out.
| | | | two2tango 
Argentina
Local time: 13:49
Member
English to Spanish
+ ...
| At least, I am not alone!! | Oct 12, 2006 |
I concur with all of you!!
I would love to have a fixed time-schecule for work. I have tried several times but other activities have overlapped and I have changed again the times for work. The result: sheer disorganization. I prefer to work by night, but that's when I am the most tired. On the other hand, I chose to be a freelancer and I love going out at whatever time I fancy, even if I have to work on week-ends.
As Laywyer-Linguist put it
3) we ... See more I concur with all of you!!
I would love to have a fixed time-schecule for work. I have tried several times but other activities have overlapped and I have changed again the times for work. The result: sheer disorganization. I prefer to work by night, but that's when I am the most tired. On the other hand, I chose to be a freelancer and I love going out at whatever time I fancy, even if I have to work on week-ends.
As Laywyer-Linguist put it
3) we are workaholics at heart anyhow.
Happy translating!
Haydée ▲ Collapse
| | | | Inga Jakobi
Germany
Local time: 18:49
Member (2006)
Chinese to German
+ ...
| I still dream of having fixed working hours | Oct 12, 2006 |
I still have the hope that I can manage to have fixed working hours anyhow, but I doubt ist... If there is an urgent job, I don't mind working late or on weekends, but this is not what I want regularly, although I chose working as a freelancer...
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Thomas Pfann
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:49
Member (2006)
English to German
+ ...
| I'm glad I don't have fixed working hours | Oct 12, 2006 |
After all, freedom and independence from office hours is one of the great benefits of being a freelancer, isn't it?
However, not having fixed working hours shouldn't mean not having any spare time (although sadly it all too often does). It should just mean doing your work at those times which you choose.
I think it is great that I am free to organise my work in a way that allows me to take time off when I want it, to go for a walk in the middle of the afternoon if I fee... See more After all, freedom and independence from office hours is one of the great benefits of being a freelancer, isn't it?
However, not having fixed working hours shouldn't mean not having any spare time (although sadly it all too often does). It should just mean doing your work at those times which you choose.
I think it is great that I am free to organise my work in a way that allows me to take time off when I want it, to go for a walk in the middle of the afternoon if I feel like it or to sleep a couple of hours longer in the morning and in exchange work a couple of hours after dinner to make good for the time. I know, of course, clients and their deadlines don't always give you this freedom, but still...
Anyway, I better get to bed now - I was going to have an early start tomorrow, so that I can finish my work by lunch and enjoy the afternoon.
[Edited at 2006-10-12 23:55] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 12:49
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Not having fixed hours is one of the best perks of freelancing | Oct 13, 2006 |
There are so many things that are best done during daylight hours... from running errands while businesses are open to walking in the park or going to the gym, or meeting friends for a meal during their lunch breaks from their fixed-schedule office jobs.
Flexibility is what it's all about.
| | | | | NO!! And I'm happy about it :) | Oct 13, 2006 |
I think it's one of the greatest things of being a freelancer. To work early or late, or anytime we want! With a 3-year-old, my wonderful husband and my parents all living in the same house (besides having my mind full of nice things to do), it's hard to work with a fixed schedule. I just love this working lifestyle!
| | | | Rebecca Hendry
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:49
Member (2005)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| Sort of fixed | Oct 13, 2006 |
I have some fixed hours and some non-fixed hours. I tend to get up at the same time each morning and I'm almost always at the computer working by 8am. Even if I don't have any pending work I'll be checking emails, lurking around the Proz forums and doing paperwork.
In the afternoons I tend to be a bit more flexible. I usually take a break, go to the gym or for a walk, or to the supermarket, but I still find it hard to switch off completely and forget about work. Perhaps that's s... See more I have some fixed hours and some non-fixed hours. I tend to get up at the same time each morning and I'm almost always at the computer working by 8am. Even if I don't have any pending work I'll be checking emails, lurking around the Proz forums and doing paperwork.
In the afternoons I tend to be a bit more flexible. I usually take a break, go to the gym or for a walk, or to the supermarket, but I still find it hard to switch off completely and forget about work. Perhaps that's something that comes with time (I hope so!). I rarely work weekends but happily work evenings if necessary. But even if I'm up late the night before I'm still up early because I find it difficult to sleep in.
The computer stays on from when I get up until I go to sleep, and I'm a compulsive email checker. ▲ Collapse
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Williamson
United Kingdom
Local time: 17:49
Flemish to English
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| Contradicton | Oct 13, 2006 |
[quote]After all, freedom and independence from office hours is one of the great benefits of being a freelancer, isn't it?[\quote]
We are being told that as a freelancer, we should specialise. Unfortunately, many classes for adults are in the evening and a geared towards employees working nine-to-five.
However, if you a have class 3 -4 times a week and on Saturday morning (:, how can you burn the mightnight oil?
Somehow, being a translator and you should specialise don't match.
[Edited at 2006-10-13 07:42]
| | | | Antje Harder
Sweden
Local time: 18:49
Swedish to German
+ ...
| Kids at school/daycare = working hours | Oct 13, 2006 |
My working hours are between 9 and 15 when the kids are not at home, so this is kind of a fixed schedule. Of course I still check my mail and do some routine work when they are back home again, but I cannot really concentrate on complicate translations when my kids are around (6 and 4 years old).
(As a matter of fact, my concentration suffers even if any other person is at home.)
That is why I have to keep the weekends free of jobs, too.
Now and then I work overtime in t... See more My working hours are between 9 and 15 when the kids are not at home, so this is kind of a fixed schedule. Of course I still check my mail and do some routine work when they are back home again, but I cannot really concentrate on complicate translations when my kids are around (6 and 4 years old).
(As a matter of fact, my concentration suffers even if any other person is at home.)
That is why I have to keep the weekends free of jobs, too.
Now and then I work overtime in the evening, but I try to keep that at a minimum.
Regards from Sweden
Antje ▲ Collapse
| | | | Clare Barnes
Sweden
Local time: 18:49
Swedish to English
+ ...
| My son decides... | Oct 13, 2006 |
...after pushing him out of the door at 8.15 I usually work more or less all day until he comes home at about 3 in the afternoon. Then we just mooch around, go shopping, do homework. I do check my e-mail during this time, but it's hard to do anything constructive. Then I'll work in the evenings after he's in bed as well. No chance of me working when he's practising the drums anyway...
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