Contract work in the US, was: Taking the Dvorak issue into our own hands

> > The point is, my office computer wasn't mine.  Someone else in 
> > the office might have to use my computer for some reason, and 
> > so the computer needed to stay in Qwerty mode.  I wasn't going 
> > to deactivate Dvorak any time I got up, or reactivate it when 
> > I sat back down.
> 
> Sounds like musical chairs to me! :-)
> The stereotype in France is that American people are so 
> much more mobile that we are. This exceeds any expectations I 
> had! :-)

As a matter of fact, it's likely that no one on that project ever used "my" computer when I wasn't there, except for a temporary  replacement when I took some time off.  But it was possible.

Part of the situation was, I was not a permanent employee but a contractor. That's typical in the USA for a specialist such a translator, who is not part of a regular company structure, and especially on a project with a limited duration (in this case, 1-2 years).

Therefore, I was not entitled to all the privileges or benefits of an employee, such as subsidized health insurance, contributions to a retirement or pension plan, profit-sharing or bonuses, etc. Also, I didn't get a year-end bonus.  My customers don't come to me in December and say, "Remember that job you did such a good job on, back in August?  Here's some more money!" Also, there's no paid vacations, severance pay, or unemployment benefits at the end of the job.

That company took things a little bit farther and didn't allow contractors to have Internet access and a few other petty distinctions.

But that assignment was years ago.  I'm still a contractor and responsible for my own benefits. And I like working with "customers" quite a lot more than the "bosses" I have had. Aside from health care, I don't mind making my own decisions about pension plans and other financial matters. And my current customer provides Internet, access to the company gym, a free flu vaccination, and an invitation to the Christmas party :-)

Back on the subject: on my current assignment, I have brought in my own keyboard (Microsoft Natural), mouse (Wow-Pen Joy) and specialized software (including a "translation memory" program). 

Steven
www.techlanguage.com