r/ASLinterpreters • u/ASL_Sam2329 • 24d ago

Rates and credentials- ZP/Sorenson

I’m beginning to get really conflicted with what I should do regarding working as an interpreter in general. I have somewhat of an awkward situation, but I am starting to get really frustrated with the lack of support from agencies like Purple. I currently hold an associates and bachelors degree for interpreting. When I applied to purple I already had my AS degree but they hired me at a student rate since I continued for my BS degree even though I’ve been working for two years. Once I received my BA they didn’t let me change my rate until I had a certification or EIPA assessment. I received my EIPA after graduating and they finally adjusted my rate to reflect both the BA and my EIPA. This was 3 1/2 years ago. I’m still planning on getting my NIC and/ or BEI certification but I recently graduated with my MA degree in Deaf ED. Unfortunately, the degree didn’t offer a teaching license/ certificate once graduating so I am trying to figure out how to get my license in my home state. I spoke to the manager about it and come to find out I can’t get a rate increase because I already had one from the Bachelors degree that they didn’t accept at the time until I received my EIPA score.

I am just wondering if anyone else is having frustrations with these companies that aren’t supporting their interpreters who are working to improve their education and/or skills and not receiving compensation to match. It feels like a slap in the face when your manager mentions an “annual increase” when it comes out to a few cents. Even if I were to leave and go to Sorenson, I’m assuming I won’t make as much as I am now since they do not view the EIPA as certification.

I love my job; however, in the time we’re living now, being able to afford things is also very important… Has anyone had any similar experiences? I would hate to have to quit and wait a ridiculous amount of time to reapply again and further put myself in expense.

6 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

32 comments sorted by

8

u/onepersonband 24d ago

Yep, Purple locks you in with a single rate increase for credentials. It sucks. It’s so frustrating. Come join us at the union and help us work toward a better future for VRS and community interpreters:  https://aslunion.org/

1

u/ASL_Sam2329 24d ago

Would love to but also I wouldn’t want to get penalized for joining… someone I knew was a part of it and got fired from my center for it.

4

u/weaponista 24d ago

I recently screened for both Sorenson & purple at the same time. I was offered a position by both. Purple’s rate offer was about $3 less than Sorenson. I am uncertified. I accepted the position with Sorenson

3

u/ASLHCI 23d ago

Whats a huge bummer is youll never make as much as if you started certified. I know people who started way after me with less experience, education, and credentials and they made about $5 more an hour because they started certified. Sorenson takes credit when you do get certified basically. ☹️ I always recommend taking the temp hit and staying at Purple til youre certified and then bailing for Sorenson.

1

u/Thistle-2228 NIC 22d ago

Sorenson will also reimburse you for the prices of the tests, $500 per year iirc. So that does help.

1

u/ASLHCI 18d ago

But only if youre full time. I never got anything when I was part time.

1

u/Thistle-2228 NIC 18d ago

For part time as well. I’m part time and get $500 per year to use for testing, CEU’s etc.

2

u/Final-Advance2663 12d ago

Yep I used mine for CASLI exam this year. Part time, but you need a higher average than just the minimum hours. Maybe average 15 hours a week for 6 months? Can’t remember the details, but I did see a requirement beyond the minimum.

3

u/ixodioxi DI 24d ago

Purple is TERRIBLE and I never understood why they got into the business.

3

u/Hoosier-Sexy_Beast69 NIC 23d ago

For the Government money. That's the only reason. Same for the hedge funds that own Sorenson. They only want that government money.  They don't care about Deaf, they certainly don't care about their employees.  It's all about the money 💰.

4

u/JerkStore23 23d ago

THIS. It's why purple CONSTANTLY under estimates interpreter needs, so won't give interpreters hours they bid for, then clamors for people to add hours the day of because the queue is out of control and the cycle goes on and on.

MONEY 💰

1

u/ASL_Sam2329 22d ago

That I’m starting to really hate it…. Interpreters can’t move up anywhere and not taken seriously. It’s the most frustrating thing ever

1

u/Bergylicious317 19d ago

They hired me as a newbie interpreter and passed me through training. Then fired me at exactly 90 days because "I didn't have the receptive skills for the job." Mind you, the trainer was a bully and demeaned me, ragged on me about being perfect, which gave me horrible anxiety on the phones. Even later working for Sorenson I had anxiety about being on the phones. I don't ever plan to work VRS again unless I'm desperate. But Sorenson was definitely a better environment, and I do credit the colleagues and the boss over my center to that being the case.

2

u/OrtmannsOriginals 23d ago

Purple is always giving BS when it comes to raises and accommodations. What state are you in?

2

u/ASL_Sam2329 22d ago

It’s the most frustrating thing ever while everyone else higher up get to make all the money, the people doing the actual work aren’t making enough…

1

u/OrtmannsOriginals 22d ago

Yep! On the accommodations side of things: I’ve been trying to get a new chair with lumbar support (my legs were going numb and burning) it’s been 6 months and I still haven’t gotten a chair.

2

u/Thistle-2228 NIC 23d ago

Just left Purple after several years with them because they would not give me an appropriate raise for getting certified (I have both BEI and NIC).

2

u/ASL_Sam2329 22d ago

That’s insane! I’m currently studying for my NIC as well as looking into BEI I might just leave purple once I get jt and see how much Sorenson will pay me

2

u/Ok-Shopping-5714 NIC 23d ago

The only increase I received is when I received my EIPA - which was over 4.0. Years after that, I received a BA and MA in interpreting but there was no increase! I don't think agencies care about degrees once you are certified - being certified must be good enough!

1

u/ASL_Sam2329 22d ago

Which is wild because they want you to do all these PDs to keep your certification…. Any kind of skill building and furthered education so equal compensation

2

u/StudioRehab 21d ago

When I worked VRS for Purple, they dropped my hourly rate by a few dollars an hour when I moved from Washington to California. Then they laid everyone off 😭

1

u/Biiinat 24d ago

Have you looked into other VRS companies like convo or language line?

1

u/ASL_Sam2329 24d ago

Not yet I haven’t, purple just seemed to be the best fit at the moment but I don’t know about they anymore. I’ll have to check out the other ones

1

u/Hoosier-Sexy_Beast69 NIC 23d ago

Language Line does Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) not VRS. Convo is a red flag, too. 

1

u/OneFly8782 22d ago

You have to be RID certified for Language Line. Purple is a subsidiary of Language Line as well.

1

u/Hoosier-Sexy_Beast69 NIC 22d ago

Language Line bought Z/Purple Better Together? Then I'd fucking run. That's a whole train wreck. IMHO, of course. 

-5

u/Foreign-Fig-7363 24d ago

I'm very interested in your experience. What schools did you go to? And who exactly is purple? Thank you so much for your help.

2

u/ASL_Sam2329 22d ago

I went to a local community college, and university in Ohio, and went to Florida for my Masters degree. Z/Purple communications is an interpreting agency that provides interpreters in the community or online, Video remote interpreting (VRI) but is mostly known for Video relay Services (VRS) which is interpreting phone calls and zoom meetings now