This always makes me chuckle. We service over 120+languages, for some reason, clients has this image of our office, filled with interpreters sitting and waiting to get called. This is not the case. We have over 300+ interpreters and translators on our roster. Our hybrid model works with both employees and independent contractors. IC’s have many names; freelancers, subcontractors, vendors or self employed.

Freelancers
Are those individuals who prefer to control their own schedules. They prefer to pick and choose the type of assignments, dates, times and location of jobs offered. They tend to register with more than one agency to expand their options. Work flow is not consistent and if a freelancer is not financially disciplined he/she can be in serious trouble. Some of them work solely for themselves, meaning, they go out and find their own work. The rate per hour tend to be more than that of an employee, however, it doesn’t mean they make more money per say but it is distributed differently. For example, before an employee gets paid uncle Sam gets their money first. With freelancers, uncle Sam gets paid after you do. But this doesn’t mean the IRS doesn’t get their share, they do but at a later time and at a higher tax bracket at the end of the year. While employees received a refund most likely freelancers are making a payment.

Employees
These individuals enjoy the stability of knowing how much exactly they are getting every two weeks and they prefer taxes to be paid immediately without the hassle of tracking expenses and building reserves for those end of year taxes. Most importantly here, employees have a set schedule where as freelancers do not. With some languages, such as, Spanish, having a staffer makes sense because the need is great enough to support a full or part time position.

When do I request an interpreter?
When ordering services think about how often you have a need for that requested language? If your answer is “not often” or “hardly ever” chances are two weeks advance notice is needed. However, it doesn’t mean you cannot put in a request 5 days prior to the appointment date just be mindful that the chances of availability is highly unlikely. It is always better to plan in advance.

Why is there a Minimum?
Would you go to a job site, one hour away (let face it it takes one hour to get anywhere these days), park (takes more time), get to the assignment, interpret for 25 minutes to get paid per minute? No, you would not. Let me tell you why.

Your bathtub is clogged and drano is not cutting it so you hire a plumber. He arrives, snakes the tub and within 12 minutes he is done and ready for payment. Your invoice is $225.00. If we apply the per minute principal the plumber will only get $45.00 (3.75 per minute * 12 minutes)? Plumbers will not be able to make a decent living. Insurance alone is extremely expensive, training and licensure requires maintenance, in addition to the standard requirements equipment is  expensive and so is the upkeep, how about his/hers years of experience? All of those factors are factored in your invoice.

Minimums or standard rates are set in place so the service provider can make a decent living, otherwise we will go back to the volunteer days and lawsuits will sky rocket.  Interpreters are professionals, they are required to have insurance, licensed, they are required to maintain their certifications by earning CEUs, they must take courses to keep up with the changes within the industry. Overall it protects both the industry and the consumers receiving the service.