| Pages in topic: < [1 2] | Off topic: Have you ever refused a project for ethical reasons? Thread poster: Francesca Battaglia
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| Ethics and professionalism should ideally go together but and empty stomach is very powerful... | Sep 13, 2008 |
But, are we really entitled to reject a job because we don't agree with its social, political, economic, environmental, or religious implications?
Hi, Tomás,
I don't think you become less professional if you refuse to do a job for ethical reasons.
At least in our society this is accepted as normal in any profession.
In Spain, for instance, many doctors refuse to do abortions on religious grounds and they are not perceived as being less professional, even if their behaviour affects the quality of the services offered by the doctor's employer (the Spanish National Health System).
Any customer would understand very well that a translator might reject a job on ethical grounds. They will just look for another translator.
The real problem is whether you can afford to lose the job and perhaps the customer.
In the end, it is a problem of money. If you have money and can do without the job and perhaps without the customer, then you can reject the project.
On the other hand, if you are in a slow season and your numbers are well into the red, you might have to accept jobs which you would have rejected otherwise.
I just remembered this quote from Pygmalion:
Pickering: Have you no morals, man?
Doolittle: Can’t afford them, Governor. Neither could you if you was as poor as me.
Daniel
| | | | | Showing some backbone | Sep 15, 2008 |
Tomás Cano Binder wrote:
Yes, I understand what you mean. But... will our customer understand our point of view? Not everyone is against lab animal research, weapons, porn, or some contents many people can find offensive and dangerous.
Jump at the chance to show your client that you have a backbone that you are not selling your soul.
A major customer of mine appreciate that I clearly state that I will not translate texts about factory farming, because I'm fond of animals.
I could even take advantage of this, because now they are offering me great topics about making animals happier.
Business ethics - why not stand out with this one?
And well, a hungry stomach is unpleasant but a lame excuse sometimes is like a lump in my stomach.
| | | | | A hungry stomach | Sep 15, 2008 |
Tuliparola wrote:
And well, a hungry stomach is unpleasant but a lame excuse sometimes is like a lump in my stomach.
Great summary indeed. Ethics must be present in all aspects of business.
| | | | | Never refused any so far | Sep 15, 2008 |
... but I would, if something I really can't stand came along.
I'm way more tolerant than any of you though. I've worked for Philip Morris which some may consider iffy, and I would have no qualms about translating ANY science under the sun... GMO, animal testing, anything. Well, not nuclear manuals for Iran:)
Adult material, fine as long as it's legal.
Military/arms manufacturing, I'm not sure.
I'd refuse to translate pretty much any religious proselytizing mater... See more ... but I would, if something I really can't stand came along.
I'm way more tolerant than any of you though. I've worked for Philip Morris which some may consider iffy, and I would have no qualms about translating ANY science under the sun... GMO, animal testing, anything. Well, not nuclear manuals for Iran:)
Adult material, fine as long as it's legal.
Military/arms manufacturing, I'm not sure.
I'd refuse to translate pretty much any religious proselytizing material, anything to do with scientology and stuff with blatant lies in it. Bogus health claims of homeopaths etc. ▲ Collapse
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English to Serbian
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I'd refuse to translate pretty much any religious proselytizing material, anything to do with scientology and stuff with blatant lies in it. Bogus health claims of homeopaths etc.
This is exactly what I rejected once. I would never translate material that is aimed at brainwashing people. I would feel responsible !
Then again , this category involves almost any political and diplomatic content.
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