Face-to-Face Interpreting Jobs
For Face-to-Face interpreting please note that we pay by duration worked not duration booked.
Face-to-Face Interpreting has a minimum Duration of 1 hour to be paid.
For example, if a Face-to-Face booking has an estimated duration to be for 2 hours and lasts 30 minutes. You will be paid for the 1 hour of work.
If a session is booked for 1 hour and it goes over, you will be paid the extra time in minute increments. For example, the session lasts 1hr 18 minutes. You will be paid £18 for the first hour + (18 minutes x £0.175) = £21.15
£0.175 is calculated by the 2nd hour rate of £10.50/60 minutes
Scheduled Remote Interpreting Jobs
Scheduled Remote services does not have a minimum duration as clients may book 10 minutes sessions, 15 minutes, 30 minutes etc
The session for 15 minutes will be 15 x 0.20p for telephone interpreting or 15 x 0.25p for video interpreting
If a session goes over the scheduled duration which is more than 60 minutes it is paid per minute at the rate of 0.19p/0.21p depending on the remote service type.
For example, if a Telephone or Video job is estimated to be 15 minutes and goes over for another 1 hour. To be a duration of 1 Hour and 15 minutes
The pay will be worked as
| Telephone Interpreting Rate |
Video Interpreting Rate |
|
60 minutes x 0.20 = £12.00
15 minutes x 0.19 = £2.85
Total £14.85
|
60 minutes x 0.25 =£15.00
15 minutes x 0.21 = £3.15
Total £18.15
|
On-Demand Interpreting Telephone or Video
On-demand interpreting is paid per minute of work completed. At the rate of 0.20p per minute for telephone and 0.25p for video.
5. Travel Expenses
5.1 Where applicable* and upon on agreement Premium Linguistic Services can pay Interpreters for mileage based on journeys undertaken (as detailed above) as if the journey was made by car taking the fastest route and time as displayed on the top line on Google Maps.
*5.1 Where applicable is for contracts that we can claim mileage, in line with the initial agreement with the client or contracting authority.
If a quote for example is offered as £30.00 to the Interpreter for a 1-hour face to face to face session.
£18.00 will be for the 1 hour of interpreting
£12.00 will be for the travel expenses
5.2 Travel Expenses are only paid where they are pre-agreed prior to an assignment being accepted by the Interpreter
5.3 We do not pay for car parking expenses
6. PLS CANCELLATIONS
PLS Client Assignment Cancellation
➢ If the booking is cancelled before 24 hours from the assignment, the interpreter will not be paid.
➢ If the booking is cancelled on the day of the booking 1 hour prior to the start time of the booking, the interpreter will not be paid.
➢ If the booking is cancelled on the day of the booking 1 hour prior to the start time of the booking and the journey is more than 50 miles one way you will be paid for travel expenses.
➢ If the booking is cancelled in less than >= 60 min you will get paid just for the 1st hour and any agreed travel expenses.
➢ If a professional has not turned up to a face-to-face booking, you will need to wait for 1 hour before you can leave. Unless you have been informed earlier by PLS about the cancellation by receiving an email/SMS text/phone call.
➢ If a professional has not turned up to a remote session you will need to wait the estimated duration before you can leave/be available. Unless you have been informed earlier by PLS about the cancellation by receiving an email/SMS text/phone call.
➢ If a professional contacts you directly for a cancellation you must let them know that they need to notify PLS regarding cancellations. Please let us know if a professional contacts you regarding a cancellation immediately so we can update the status of the booking. PLS will require the professional to confirm the cancellation if we cannot do so you will still be required to attend the booking.
7. INTERPRETER CANCELLATIONS
If you, the Interpreter accept an assignment and cancel the booking with no valid reason in the below timelines there will be a charge as seen below and this will be deducted from your next upcoming payment.
Consistent cancellation will result in you being removed from our database.
If you do not have any payments pending, we will issue court proceedings to recover penalties and any further losses claimed by our client.
It is your responsibility to only accept assignments that you know you are available for.
IMPORTANT Please note that any cancellation MUST be done over the landline phone. We DO NOT accept cancellations done via email/text/voice mail. Please contact us on 01214483030
Please see the cancellation fees below:
| Timeframe |
Charge Amount |
| No Valid Reason for Cancellation within 24 Hours (All Interpreting Services, Face to Face & Remote Interpreting) |
£30.00 |
| Non-Attendance – No notification of cancellation by calling 0121 448 3030 |
£50.00 |
When you, the Interpreter, do not turn up to an agreed assignment you are wasting the time of the doctors, hospital staff, and solicitors in their proceedings. Not only does this affect the professional staff, but also the non-English speaker who is in need of the Interpreter and therefore will have to return for another appointment. The professional front-line staff will have to accommodate their next appointment. If you genuinely cannot attend an assignment due to unforeseen circumstances, we require immediate notification by telephone 0121 448 3030. We will assess each individual case and require evidence if no valid evidence is provided the linguist will be charged £30.00 for the booking. If you, the Interpreter are running late for an assignment we need to be made aware 20 minutes before the start time of the booking. Please let us know your expected time to arrive at the venue so we can make the client aware. If you do not notify us of your late arrival to the booking and your lateness results in the job being cancelled then a £30.00 penalty will apply.
8. CODE OF ETHICS
Premium Linguistic Services is committed to providing a professional translation and interpreting service. As an independent contractor, you are expected to abide by its Code of Practice and Code of Ethics, together known as the
CODE OF CONDUCT
8.1. Interpreters and translators shall treat any information that may come to them in the course of their work as confidential. Exceptionally, an interpreter may be required by law to divulge information held. S/he should seek advice beforehand from the line management, to whom they are accountable, and legal advice should be obtained before responding.
8.2. Interpreters shall interpret truly and faithfully to the best of their ability between the parties without anything being added or omitted.
8.3. Interpreters and translators shall only undertake an assignment that they are competent to accomplish in a satisfactory way in their approved language(s). In rare cases and emergencies, they may accept an assignment in their second-best language, with the consent of both parties, only if no other interpreter/translator approved in the required language is available.
8.4. Interpreters shall observe impartiality while interpreting.
8.5. Interpreters and translators shall not take personal advantage of any information obtained in the course of their work.
8.6. Interpreters and translators shall not accept any form of reward for interpreting work other than payment from Premium Linguistic Services.
8.7. Interpreters and translators shall not delegate work to another interpreter/translator, nor may they accept delegated work without the consent of both the client and the Translation and Interpreting officer.
8.8. Interpreters and translators shall take every reasonable opportunity of training to sustain and improve their knowledge and competence as it relates to the fulfilment of their work. The Translation and Interpreting Service will provide specific training as appropriate.
8.9. Interpreters and translators shall promote and safeguard the well-being of service users and ensure that by no action or omission on their part is the safety of the service user put at risk.
8.10. Interpreters and translators shall have due regard to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of the clients, as well as complying with the laws of the country and having due regard for the customs, practice and policies of Premium Linguistic Services. They shall, at all times, carry out their work within the context of PLS’ Integrated Equalities Policy (available on request).
8.11. They shall be responsible to the Translation and Interpreting officer(s) for their work and refer to them for any difficulty that may arise.
8.12. PLS interpreters and translators shall always safeguard the professional standards of the Translation and Interpreting Service in every practical way and shall offer each other any reasonable assistance.
8.13. Any linguist who brings PLS into disrepute shall be subject to disciplinary measures, following a full investigation of any complaints and/or practices that may not be in accordance with published Codes of Good Practice.
9. INTERPRETING CODE OF PRACTICE
Premium Linguistic Services is committed to providing a professional translation and interpreting service. As an independent contractor, you are expected to abide by its Code of Practice and Code of Ethics, together known as the CODE OF CONDUCT. The purpose and objective of the Code of Practice is to ensure that there is consistency, competence and impartiality across language and culture, and to ensure that all those who are involved in the process are clear about what may be expected from it.
Consideration before an assignment is taken:
9.1. When accepting work, the interpreter must ensure that s/he is satisfied that s/he will be available on the specified date and time at the required location, and that they have made appropriate travel arrangements.
9.2. The interpreter needs to be competent in the language/dialect of the service user. In exceptional circumstances, when there is any doubt about which minority language/dialect is used, the interpreter must notify the client to ensure full competence in the required language/dialect.
9.3. The client requesting the services of an interpreter will be asked to supply any relevant information. Premium Linguistic Services team will forward this to the interpreter.
9.4. The interpreter has to be neutral. Therefore, interpreters must not accept assignments involving relatives or people with whom they are closely involved at work or at home.
9.5. Arriving at the appointments on time is essential. Interpreters need to anticipate any problem that may delay their arrival. It is the interpreter’s responsibility to anticipate traffic problems or rush hours, and to make sure their vehicle is in working order.
9.6. Interpreters should arrive at the assignment 10 minutes early. If, in exceptional circumstances the interpreter is delayed, the interpreter must contact us on 0121 448 3030 at least 15 minutes before the assignment is due to begin and give an estimated time of arrival. Interpreters should ensure that they use the cheapest mode of transport to attend assignments. The use of taxis is not permitted for interpreting assignments. This is a costly means of business travel which customers are unwilling to fund. The use of taxis must first be approved by one of the PLS Coordinators or PLS Managers.
9.7. Sanctions will be taken against interpreters who arrive late.
9.8. If you, the Interpreter, arrive late to an agreed assignment, we will deduct a total of £10.00. We will allow you a maximum of 10 minutes, provided that we have been made aware at least 20 min to the start time of the booking, after the appointment time to arrive at the venue, if the 10 minutes window is exceeded the above penalty will be applied. If your lateness results in the job being cancelled, then a £30 penalty will apply.
9.8.1 If interpreters/Translators are late more than six times their profile will be removed from the register.
At the assignment, the interpreter is responsible for explaining their role
9.9. Appropriate seating shall be discussed and advice taken from the interpreter before the assignment commences. Everyone needs to check they can hear well and that there is no undue noise from outside the meeting place.
9.10 The interpreter shall explain to both the Client and the end service user that:
➢ The interpreters will communicate all that is spoken and all that is said.
➢ Everyone needs to speak for a short time allowing for regular interpreting.
➢ The client is responsible for making sure that only one person speaks at a time.
➢ An interpreted interview takes twice as long as one in the same language.
➢ The Client is responsible for making sure the work gets done in the arranged meeting time or arranging extended meeting time or arranging to meet again.
9.11 The interpreter may intervene/interrupt only in the following situations:
➢ To ask for clarification if s/he does not fully understand the concept s/he is being asked to interpret.
➢ To point out if a service user has not fully understood the concept although the interpretation was correct.
➢ To alert the parties to a possible missed cultural inference, i.e., information which has not been stated but knowledge of which might have been assumed.
➢ The Interpreter ensures that the meaning of gestures, body language, and tone of voice is not lost, by replicating what has been seen or heard from the client.
➢ To ask a Client to modify his/her delivery to accommodate the interpreting process, e.g. if the client is speaking too quickly or for too long.
➢ The interpreter shall inform both clients of the reason for the interruption and interpret the explanation.
➢ The service providers and service users should address each other directly.
➢ The interpreter should not be alone with the client.
➢ The interpreter must abide by the Code of Ethics or be liable to disciplinary procedures.
➢ The interpreter shall not give out his/her personal details.
➢ If for any reason the interpreter’s impartiality is being jeopardised, s/he should withdraw.
9.12. Post - briefing
➢ 9.12.1 At the end of the assignment, the interpreters might stay with the professional to discuss the quality of the interpreting assignment and to review the management of the meeting whenever it is possible.
➢ 9.12.2 The interpreter must ensure that the Officer concerned with the meeting has endorsed and signed their timesheet to confirm that the interpreting has been completed and that the Officer is satisfied.
10. TELEPHONE & VIDEO INTERPRETING PROCEDURES & GUIDELINES
All telephone and video interpretation sessions should be conducted by the interpreter from home in a quiet room alone. Interpreters are required to use a device that has adequate sound quality and volume for the user to comfortably hear the interpreter. For Video Interpreting, you will need an adequate camera. If the session is for Video this needs to be turned on at all times. If you do not have an adequate device to take telephone or video interpreting. Please do NOT accept any bookings of this type and inform us so we can take these services off your profile.
DO NOT TAKE any telephone or video assignments if you are in public places or you are not alone as this will compromise confidential information.
DO NOT TAKE any telephone or video assignments whilst in a Car.
Please remember:
10.1. If you are using your mobile, make sure it is fully charged
10.2. Make sure you introduce yourself using your full name and ID number(this can be accessed on your interpreter intelligence profile).
10.3. You should not have any side conversations with the client. You must relay everything that is said back to the client or service user. This includes any advice that the client may ask of the interpreter.
10.4. You should not discuss anything unrelated to the context of the Remote interpreting assignment.
10.5. Always conduct the conversation in a quiet place
10.6. Give your full attention to the conversation taking place, you must not be somewhere you can be distracted or interrupted
10.7. Remote interpreters must be able to organise the ideas and concepts expressed by both parties. Being able to take good notes (and then communicate from those notes) is essential. The interpreter must securely destroy his/her notes.
10.8. It is also important that the interpreter express the ideas accurately and objectively without adding anything or not including anything.
10.9. In most interpretation settings, the interpreter has a view of the person they are interpreting. However, this is not the case for a telephone interpreter. Over-the-phone interpreters must rely on voice tone to help them interpret because it is the only non-verbal clue they will have access to.
10.10. Remote interpreters must be able to adapt to different cultures and different dialects at a moment’s notice.
10.11. On-Demand Telephone interpreters don't quite know what they will be interpreting before the session starts, so it's important that they can quickly adapt to different subjects being discussed.
10.12. Do not take the assignment if you cannot guarantee the above criteria
11. GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR INTERPRETERS
Premium Linguistic Services will provide the Interpreter with the following information before accepting an assignment: Considerations before accepting the Session: Before accepting offer of work the Interpreter must consider the following:
➢ Availability: date, time, place and travel arrangements.
➢ Client Details: The name and gender of the client, their language and dialect.
➢ Appointment Content: You will be given information on the general nature and context of the appointment.
➢ Correct match: Is there a suitable match in terms of language, dialect, gender or other factors?
➢ Conflict of interest: Is the client a close relative or friend?
➢ Professional limitation: Is the subject matter of a complicated or specialised nature that goes beyond training or experience? Service Provider Details: The name of the contact person setting up the appointment. You will also be advised, where known, if:
➢ A relative, carer, guardian or other person will be present
➢ The information is likely to be particularly serious or sensitive
➢ Terminology used is likely to be highly specialised or technical
➢ The appointment is to take place in a specialised environment
The Beginning of the Interpreting Session : Parking: If the interpreter has travelled to the venue by car they must park appropriately. Do not block entrances/exits and park in a safe and lawful manner in authorised bays for visitors. On arrival the Interpreter should inform the relevant reception staff of their arrival to help locate the professional and the service user to undergo the session.
Health and Safety: You need to take your own health and safety into account for all appointments but particularly if they are in a Service Users home.
PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE SERVICE USERS HOME WITHOUT THE PROFESSIONAL. Interpreters should formally introduce themselves to the professional and service user including the following:
➢ Your Name
➢ State you are an interpreter and explain the role of the interpreter if needed. Please also show your Premium Linguistic Services ID badge
➢ State that the service is confidential and explain if need be.
➢ Explain that everything the client says will be interpreted. If there is anything the client does not want to tell the Customer/ Service provider, please tell them not to tell you either because you will have to interpret exactly what the client says.
Managing the Interpreting Interview: The usual arrangement is a triangular formation i.e.; the interpreter should be in-between the Professional User and Service User without obscuring anyone.
STYLE OF SPEECH
Direct Speech: the First Person. In most circumstances, the interpreter should use the first person (direct speech) (i.e. “I have a pain in my stomach” not “He says he has a pain in his stomach.”)
12. INTERPRETING INTRODUCTION
At the beginning of each session please introduce yourself as follows
My Name is [……..], ID number
I am the (language) interpreter from PLS
My role is to interpret everything that is said. I will ensure accuracy,
confidential and impartiality throughout this session as per our code of conduct.
Please try to keep sentences short and I will only interrupt if I need further clarification.
13. HOME VISIT GUIDELINES
As a freelance interpreter there is a high possibility that you may be called upon for a ‘Home Visit’. In this scenario you will be present and interpret in the service users own home; you will attend the non-English speaker’s home, along with a Professional i.e. social worker.
Home visit guidelines to follow:
➢ The interpreter must show their ID badge to the professional upon arrival.
➢ The Interpreter must meet the Professional outside the service user’s home or at a pre-arranged destination (if agreed).
➢ The Interpreter must wait for the Professional to arrive before entering the clients’ home. However, if this option is impracticable, then the interpreter may knock on the door, only to ask whether the Professional is already on the premises but should not enter the home without the Professional being present.
➢ The Interpreter should not engage in conversation with the service user (unless it is a query with regards to the whereabouts of the Professional).
➢ If the interpreter has driven to the home visit address, then they must arrive on time close to the home visit address
➢ The service user address must remain confidential – for example, if a family member takes you to a home visit booking by car, you must ensure that you do not exit the car directly outside the home visit address as the address should remain confidential.
➢ For unannounced home visits, the interpreter is required to keep a distance away from the house whilst parking.
14. LINGUIST CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
I am aware that in the course of any assignment by Premium Linguistic Services as an interpreter or translator, I may have access to customers’ health, financial, legal and other personal and business confidential information; e.g. product ideas, financial documentation, legal documentation, medical documentation and other secret and proprietary information. Any such information must be kept in confidence by me and used only in connection with the work assigned to me by Premium Linguistic Services.
Therefore in consideration of my engagement as an interpreter/translator by Premium Linguistic Services, I agree that:
1. I will hold in strict confidence, and will not use, assist others to use, or disclose to anyone, without the prior express written authorisation of Premium Linguistic Services or requester’s administration, any information concerning such proprietary information and any secret or confidential matter, except as such use or disclosure may be required in order to carry out any interpretation/translation assignment scheduled for me by Premium Linguistic Services.
2. I shall not derive any personal profit or advantage from any confidential information that I may acquire during my interpretation/translation services assigned to me by Premium Linguistic Services.
3. Translated documents remain the property of the owner of the original documents and/or the requester of my services at all times.
4. At the end of my assignment with Premium Linguistic Services, I will deliver to Premium Linguistic Services all documents related to the business and to the secret and propriety information referred to above, and I will not retain any such information for myself.
5. That individually identifiable data is confidential and is protected by various laws (e.g. GDPR Act 2018). 6. That confidential data includes all personal information (e.g., name, birth date, national insurance number) which may, in any manner, identify the individual.
7. That confidential data may be used only for purposes directly related to the operation of the contractor’s program(s).
8. That any personal use of confidential data is strictly prohibited.
9. Access to data must be limited to those staff whose duties specifically require access to such data in the performance of their assigned duties.
10. I understood that my relationship with Premium Linguistic Services as an interpreter/translator is that of an independent contractor and have understood and read the full terms of the confidentiality agreement.
11. For the purposes of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 the client who use the interpretation/translating services and any party that is receiving interpreting/translating services are entitled to rely upon and enforce the terms of any confidentiality obligation under this agreement.