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Proofreading for TCD - advice needed

  • 17-09-2013 12:38pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 92 ✭✭


    Hi, I hope that it is ok to post this thread here, if not feel free to delete/move it. I also apologise for the length of it but it's quite a tricky situation.

    I'm based at TCD and have a lot of experience in proofreading essays, dissertations, for both staff and postgrad students. I was contacted in January by someone who asked me to help proofread a dissertation that was due in April. I agreed to this, but upon starting the task it was clear that a lot more than just proofreading was required - this person's first language isn't English and I had to rewrite huge chunks of text because they were not in the plain English required by the person's supervisor. I communicated this to the person and was told that I would be paid more for this. I submitted the document after a lot of work, and was given less than half the money as 'a goodwill gesture'. I heard nothing for some time and then was told that actually, the document required even more work. I was not happy but was told that unless I did this I wouldn't get paid. I honestly needed the cash at this stage because I'd paid bills based on the belief that I'd get the full amount of money and was well into my overdraft. So I did the extra work, again heard nothing, this was now summertime. I was told that I would "100% get the money I PROMISE".

    Having heard nothing since then, I have emailed the person stating that unless I received all of the money for completing my side of the bargain, I will consider approaching their supervisor to explain the situation. I haven't done this but could someone please give me some advice on how to proceed? I went above and beyond what I was required to do as a proofreader and am very upset that I haven't been paid an amount that was agreed. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, but the money was promised to me. I've proofread huge documents for staff and students at TCD and this has never happened before so I'm a bit lost.


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭Grolschevik


    His supervisor may well say that it's none of his/her business, plus would be able to exert only moral pressure.

    You may well have to get legal on him. Did you issue an invoice?

    Also: www.afepi.ie/rates. For future reference!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭Grolschevik




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 42 missdisco


    Proofreading for students should strictly be only reading for errors, not correcting. If the person had major problems they should have been referred back to the supervisor, because you should not be rewriting other peoples work. That means, theoretically, that they never did the work they submitted.

    Incidentally, how do you get this work. do you freelance around the uni, or are you based somewhere? I've been finding reliable work in this tricky for years (apparently though, you're getting some bad ones too.)


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