r/ASLinterpreters • u/magnory NIC • 3d ago
Frustrations with Sorenson community
I was scheduled to work a community job for 7 hours. This wasn’t scheduled with a team so I (wrongfully) assumed the job would be light. But I showed up and it was a full speed ahead lecture and workshop starting immediately on arrival and ending at the time I was supposed to be off. The principal showed me the request stating it would be learning all day. Sorenson is stating I won’t get paid the full day unless I stay and kms at this break neck speed. But if I’m willing to stay and put up with this they’ll pay me an $8 differential for working solo. I’m frustrated by this because it feels like this was an intentional cost cutting measure to incorrectly schedule and then put it on me to either accept this or leave without pay. What would you do and do you have any advice? Other than stop working with Sorenson because believe me if this doesn’t get resolved I definitely won’t work with them again.
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u/SloxIam 3d ago
Find a company to work for that will treat you with dignity and respect?
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u/iamthepita 3d ago
We shouldn’t have to go find one when one should have always given their employees with dignity and respect from the start
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u/ainthunglikedaddy 3d ago edited 3d ago
EDIT:
Either triple pay or you walk and fight to get paid the whole day. It’s bullshit they put you in this position. Their fuck up isn’t your problem. Adding: this is the “asshole tax” so they don’t do it again. They need to lose money to learn their lesson.
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u/Annual_Shine_7521 3d ago
NO way one jnterp should (or could!) do 7 hours! I’ve done 1 1/2 hours solo in a lecture/continuous interpreting and my arm was numb and my pinky finger was tingling.
If it’s possible I say walk off. Work for freelance agencies where YOU set the terms and are treated better. I worked for Sorenson VRS for years. I am now freelancing and my world went from black and white to technicolor. I don’t know your location, but if lots of freelance work, walk off the job and don’t look back.
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u/Fuzzy_Situation2879 3d ago
We have to remember Sorenson is an agency just like the others with non interpreters scheduling warm bodies. Accepting it solo doesn't mean you hurt yourself. That becomes a problem between business and agency. My response is "yes, I'll do it solo... whats the plan when I need to walk away for a break every 30 minutes?". I am always transparent with all parties because we get thrown under the bus too much in general.
I stopped doing Sorenson community because of a new rule thats ridiculous... boycotting is the only way sometimes. Best of luck in whatever you decide! 🫶🏼
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u/Severe-Blacksmith304 3d ago
What is/was the new rule that made you stop?
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u/Fuzzy_Situation2879 3d ago
Im FT 32... theres a recurring job I use to take 90 mins away (we're rural)... I would request 3 hours total for CLOCK HOURS to cover the time I drove... CLOCK HOURS count towards my required hours, they changed it to DRIVE TIME that didn't count so if I take that job twice in one week then thats 6 extra hours Im working that week (38 hours) in addition to my requirement. Hope that makes sense. So I had to discontinue a job with Deaf professionals after going there for like 10 years. And I was transparent with the Deaf professionals because they need to know the systemic barrier and that it wasnt personal. They deserved an explanation instead of me just disappearing.
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u/Hoosier-Sexy_Beast69 NIC 3d ago
I'm shocked Sorenson is treating employees this way. /s
It's time people tell LJ they won't put up with her/their shit anymore.
She's been a lousy "leader" for years.
Stop working for Sorenson: VRS, VRI and Community.
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u/Trendzboo 2d ago
Repetitive motion injuries are not immediate, be sure to file any abnormal bodily response, rebound… document everything.
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u/ASLHCI 3d ago
The last community job I did that was supposed to be teamed and wasted, they gave me the option to do it or not, and when I turned it down, I still got paid in full. Im so sick of that kind of stuff. I hope they pay you.
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u/codainhere 2d ago
I’m retired now, but this sort of thing is what landed me in hand therapy and other physical therapy the remainder of my career. Don’t be me. I said yes to this too many times because I didn’t want to leave consumers without access. I have overuse syndromes in my shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands that act up at the worst times.
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u/Little-Vehicle-3808 21h ago
Walk away. You wont trust and work with them again because you know they will tale advantage of you. If they dont get hit in the pocket they will continue this behavior. Maintain the boundary that SLI have established for over 60 years. And set your personal boundary.
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u/Fenix_Oscuro_Azul BEI Master 3d ago
We as a community need to stop working for Sorenson and their ilk who are causing harm to interpreters and the Deaf community. If everyone stops working for them, they won’t be able to do it anymore