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Subject:Re: Bad Employers/Clients List??? From:Jonathan Leer <jleer -at- LTC -dot- MV -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 2 May 1997 12:33:33 -0300
I used to subscribe to a freelancers (magazine) newsletter. Every issue it listed who was stiffing writers. I think it is a great idea. I've been stiffed a few times myself.
Jon Leer
Leer Technical Communications
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From: Mitch Berg[SMTP:mberg -at- is -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, May 02, 1997 11:59 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Bad Employers/Clients List???
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
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