TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Bad Employers/Clients List??? From:Mitch Berg <mberg -at- IS -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 2 May 1997 09:59:29 -0500
Caveat: I'm just brainstorming here. I don't know how serious I am
about this yet.
Note to listadmin: I think this idea, while "out there", might
definitely make techwriting a better career - so I think it's a valid
topic for this list. If you disagree, I'll respect that and withdraw
the topic.
I've spent most of my career as a contractor/consultant/freelancer.
Like many of you, I've been stiffed or otherwise treated rather badly by
a few clients. Trolling the local tech writer rumor mill, I've noticed
that other techwhirlies have been burned too - some by the same
companies. Most clients are obviously fine. But there's that 2% that
spoils it all. I notice many techwhirlers consistently having bad
experiences with some of the same companies, year in, year out...
So - what if some intrepid soul were to put up an informational website,
essentially a techwhirlers' "blacklist" of companies with a record of
shabby treatment of techwriters? A sort of "Better Clients/Employers
Bureau", if you will, where a job-searching techwhirler could look for
any references to a potential employer or client.
Ethically, I think it'd be a sort of journalism - which has its purpose
and its rules. It'd be no different, IMO, than restaurant or theater
reviews.
Legally, I think that as long as the list had no business connection
with anyone it'd be safe enough.
We're not unionized. We don't have a PAC in the beltway. If we don't
look out for each other, who will?
Comments?
Donning flame-resistant underwear, I am
Mitch Berg
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
