I have been a contract interpreter for NetworkOmni over 10 years now. Through the years the company always has insisted in quality service and representation. I was always glad to provide that service for them. Somehow, things have changed a few years ago. Through the years they fluctuated my pay rate a couple of time. Since I always received payment in 45 days later, all of sudden I would have found out that 2 months prior pay rate was much lower than expected. I bought their excuses that either I didn't get the notification email, mail, or the phone calls.
Gradually I lowered my call volume but in order to help the community and serve my country I continued to wake up in the middle of the night and interpret for them. Many nights after interpretation I wasn't able to fall back sleep, yet it was rewarding to be there and help a limited English language person and a client with my service.
In summer of 2007 they cheated me and other interprets that I know, even more. They told us that they have lost their call logs in their computers system for June and July due to the company relocation to Westlake Village (very expensive business area).instead of paying us with thousands they gave us each miserly $18 and $20. Their lies and mismanagement in invoice/payment department continued until recently that it has gotten out of hand. I haven't been paid for fall of 2007 and spring of 2008.
I should have seen the smoke before the fire. I didn't log on with them any more but their operators begged me to take the calls. So I did, feeling proud to be there to serve people. I even encouraged other interpreters to hang in there and help others and look beyond financial gain. I was eager and proud that God has equipped some of us with this opportunity to improve other lives. They used my integrity and sincerity to enhance their own lives without compensating us for it.
NetworkOmni has the gull to call me daily. When I see their number, I just don't pick up.interpretation was my way of serving the country that I love to live in with the country that I came from. I thought I am helping two cultures meet and understand each other. It still hurt me to know some poor soul is not able to communicate his/her problem and I could have facilitated and improved the situation. Yet, I can't let NetworkOmni think of me as a fool, picking my brain without compensating me. My financial problems are catching up with me and are taking control of my well being. I am sure NetworkOmni management are well provide and don't even blink an eye at the thought one of their interpreters losing their home.
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