Poll: On average, who do you think works longer hours — freelance or in-house language professionals?
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Jun 28, 2025

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "On average, who do you think works longer hours — freelance or in-house language professionals?".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portekiz
Local time: 03:25
Üye (2007)
İngilizce > Portekizce
+ ...
Other Jun 28, 2025

It's hard to compare, though I should know as I worked as staff translator between 1986 and 2006 and I have been working as freelancer since 2006. As staff translator. I had flexible hours, but I had to work 30 hours a week, except during plenary sessions, when I was on duty until the end, often until the early hours of the morning (unpaid, but compensated with holiday time). As a freelancer, there are days when I work ten, eleven, twelve hours, including weekends, but on others I don't work at ... See more
It's hard to compare, though I should know as I worked as staff translator between 1986 and 2006 and I have been working as freelancer since 2006. As staff translator. I had flexible hours, but I had to work 30 hours a week, except during plenary sessions, when I was on duty until the end, often until the early hours of the morning (unpaid, but compensated with holiday time). As a freelancer, there are days when I work ten, eleven, twelve hours, including weekends, but on others I don't work at all or only one or two hours. ▲ Collapse


Korana Lasić
 
Josephine Cassar
Josephine Cassar  Identity Verified
Malta
Local time: 04:25
Üye (2012)
İngilizce > Maltaca
+ ...
It's hard to say.. Jun 28, 2025

But as freelancers, it's up to the freelancer to fix your own hours and make sure you avoid burn-out. If I work long hours one week, I make sure I rest properly after. On the other hand, most in-house language professionals have fixed times, though there might be certain occasions when you're told beforehand that you need to finish the translation before you leave.

Cecília Alves
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
 
Maria Laura Curzi
Maria Laura Curzi  Identity Verified
Arjantin
Local time: 23:25
İngilizce > İspanyolca
+ ...
Freelancers work longer hours. Jul 4, 2025

I agree with the majority, 52.9%, that 'Freelancers work longer hours.'

If you don't have regular clients or a steady job, promoting yourself or seeking projects/clients is a sort of side job that in-house professionals don't have.
Although this side job is unpaid, it takes up much time.


Michelle den Boer
 
Michelle den Boer
Michelle den Boer
Hollanda
Local time: 04:25
İngilizce > Hollandaca
Yes, freelancers Jul 7, 2025

When I used to work on location at a translation agency, they forced me to go home at 7pm, because the building would be closed down. Or at least I'd be the only one there, and they didn't want me to wander around unsupervised. The room where I worked with a dozen people was empty after 6pm.

By the way, this was not the case when I was employed as a programmer. One of my colleagues once fell asleep on the floor after she finished a job in the middle of the night.

[Edited at 2
... See more
When I used to work on location at a translation agency, they forced me to go home at 7pm, because the building would be closed down. Or at least I'd be the only one there, and they didn't want me to wander around unsupervised. The room where I worked with a dozen people was empty after 6pm.

By the way, this was not the case when I was employed as a programmer. One of my colleagues once fell asleep on the floor after she finished a job in the middle of the night.

[Edited at 2025-07-07 18:42 GMT]
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Poll: On average, who do you think works longer hours — freelance or in-house language professionals?






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