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Hi I am a new Voyce int.I thought the policy was pretty bad too. Is there a FB group or something like that where I can comunicate with more Voyce interpreters?

Maybe we should think about unionizing?

I understand where youre coming from but the power imbalance for most interpreters and their LSP's are too large, I understand too that you may not want to get political with the video but the fact that most of us are Free-lancers from all over the world (a lot living in places from the global south without other opportunities) vs a massive company who doesn't care much about you or the others And most dont really mind the fact that their interpreters are "low skilled" as you would claim them which I believe is not a real term, or at least one that shouldnt be used. It should be in the companies interest to both hire minimun skilled labor for their project or at least if they dont pay them as much to train them but they do none most of the time and you get paid the same regardless of your skill. Its a dice roll on wether you get a job in one of the good ones, or one of the bad ones...

Thank you good sir for the videos and being a voice for the rest of us. What is a good platform to communicate with fellow Voyce interpreters? I searched but failed to find a Facebook group or any other forum. I need to find out how others deal with the challenges and learn what I can do to improve myself. Thank you in advance. Keep up the good work!

We Voyce interpreters want to file a big request for many changes. We really need to get a better payment and better work environment

I just found out your channel today :) and I’m really happy that I did! I actually thought of quitting before I even start working as an interpreter with no experience, due to the amount of isolation, stress and anxiety I had been facing :(. Your channel shed some light on me and i couldnt be more thankful

Excellent video, interpreter. I would totally give you a commendation <3

Thank you, Mason . I like your speech .

As someone who has worked for Voyce, it's been known they micromanage their employees (they did that before firing me for not putting up with their BS) and while I'm all for quality assurance, their QA team was the worst I've ever work with, no room for growth, training classes whatsoever, they just nip-picked every single thing about my performance, not to mention the questionable audio quality of their platform. There are so many other companies out there with much better platforms and QA teams that make our job as an interpreter worthwhile, trust me. Everyone deserves a voice, even the interpreters.

They forget there is more intepretation companies xP they are not even the once pay better

Hi Mason, your lecture is great! I love them all, just wrote to you, please look out for my email, thank!

"We don't trust our interpreters so we will us their webcam" well surmised and I agree that most likely a cheaper way to monitor people without listening to calls. Thanks for shining a light on this issue and I am glad Voyce heard the collective voice(pun intended) of their interpreters and rescinded. It was definitely odd. LSP should strive to provide a good company culture for the high quality interpreters out there, and do everything to keep them onboard.

Dear Interpreter Colleagues, The purpose of this form is to reach as many interpreters outside the U.S. working for Voyce at a rate of $6 USD per hour as possible. Below is a summary of the recent issues we have faced as interpretation employees for Voyce: Platform Changes: In less than a year, we have experienced multiple changes to the platforms necessary for performing our duties, including Humanity, Voyce Hub, Tawk, among others. While we understand the need to update these tools, the transitions have been inefficient and have negatively impacted interpreters. We have encountered issues such as incorrect schedules on the Weyivideo platform, disappearing shifts, a "direct chat" with long response times, and mandatory spam emails from the Humanity platform. Lack of Communication and Transparency: The company has shown a lack of assertive communication, using passive-aggressive and nearly threatening language to enforce invasive privacy practices. Additionally, the lack of transparency regarding the assignment or removal of Dedicated Shift or Additional Hours is concerning. Camera Policy: It has been communicated that the camera must remain on during Audio calls. This policy is detrimental to interpreters, as we only have 6 minutes of break per 54 minutes worked. The times we are "On Hold" or in an Audio Call are essential for us to relax, drink water, or take an active break, similar to other types of work. If Voyce does not have the taskforce required to monitor and ensure that the calls comply with HIPAA is NOT something that should be managed with policies that put the strain upon the interpreters that DO comply, where its due responsibility is upon the quality team. Increased Call Volume: Voyce has signed contracts with new clients, resulting in an exponential increase in call volume. This means very short periods between calls, leaving us with insufficient time to recover. Requests for Rate Increases: Many interpreters have requested rate increases on several occasions, but the responses have not included objective parameters or clear metrics to justify these decisions. While Voyce relies on outsourcing to reduce labor costs, this does not justify inadequate compensation for the work we perform. We do not receive mandatory benefits such as health insurance, pension funds, or vacation, and the company does not provide necessary equipment for our work, such as computers, internet subsidies, headphones (which must meet specific Voyce requirements), or uniforms. Given the true value of our work, we find it necessary to present the following proposal to Voyce: Rate Increase: We propose a 33% increase in the base rate for interpreters currently earning $6 USD/hour, adjusting the rate to $8.0 USD/hour. This is based on Voyce charging clients $0.99 USD/minute and paying interpreters $0.10 USD/minute. For freelance from 0.21 USD to 0.28 USD. Reconsideration of Privacy Policies: We request a review of invasive policies, specifically the new policy of keeping the camera ON at all times during AUDIO calls. This policy adds strain to our workload because it is not what was agreed upon when the contracts were signed and it's also an invasion to privacy since it requires the ceding of control of webcams during times where the type of work does not require it so. Not to mention it involves personal equipment that was NOT provided by the employer. Improvement of Communication Platforms: We need improved communication platforms between interpreters and supervisors to ensure greater fluency and effectiveness. Finally, we just ask for respect towards our work, our integrity, our profession, and our dedication. This is not only about compensation for our efforts but also about the rising cost of living worldwide and the inflation affecting all countries. Therefore, we have calculated the following based on the cost of living indices: Cost of Living Comparison: United States: Approximate index of 100. Portugal: Approximate index of 50. Average in Latin America: Approximate index of 40. Proportion Calculation: Portugal vs. United States: The cost of living in Portugal is approximately 50% of that in the United States, and you are paid $15/hour (75% of the U.S. rate). Latin America vs. United States: The cost of living in Latin America is approximately 40% of that in the United States. Using the same adjustment proportion: Payment in Latin America = Payment in the U.S. × (Cost of Living Index in Latin America / Cost of Living Index in the U.S.) Based on these calculations, a fair rate related to the cost of living in Latin America would be $8 per hour. Voyce demands the highest quality standards from its interpreters, and we strive daily to meet them. However, Voyce does not adequately compensate us nor provides the necessary support for interpreters. We hope these issues can be addressed promptly to ensure a more supportive and fair working environment. Therefore, as you may have noticed, a planned work abstention is scheduled for Monday, August 5, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST. Please complete the following survey if you agree with the topics outlined above. In the eventuality of not reaching an agreement that is beneficial for both parties, there remains the possibility of other work abstentions later on. We recommend that those that are willing to participate adhere to the procedures regarding asking for a leave on said date (doing so 24 hours before, don't put in "reason for leave" that it's a work abstention, etc) so they don't encounter any issues later on. Everyone deserves a Voyce, EVEN US

Thank you for your video, Mason! Most of the interpreters feel that Voyce has reached a previously unseen level of disrespect and slavery. Fellow interpreters, please find the petition with more information here (docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePfbaYiI4KlwhZb1ktvPctJnCJKLBxS39DuIuReAyKGXTsgw/viewform). I will also copy the content to the next comment. We all need to start searching for jobs at other companies and dump this one as soon as we find other options. Until then we need to support ourselves and protect our mental health.

This interpreter colleague has several points to be dissapointed about. It is also to be noted that voyce´s salary is one of the worst on the market and that technically even if you work 40 hours a week on a dedicated schedule you will fall into the status of lower class. At least in my country, México. Middle class in México acording to the INEGI should make around 23 thousand 451 pesos per month, for one income. So let´s do the math... They pay 6 dls an hour so: 40X6 equals 240 dollars a week. That is 960 a month. Exchange rate in México as Agust 8th is 19.26 so 960X19.26 is 18.489.6 wich would fall under lower class status. Buuuuuuuut, and here is a big one, that data about the middle class is not accurate. Since we have seen a raise in the cost of living in every country after the pandemic, inflation, and other world economic phenomena, have made the middle class sit; according to some of my sources; in México, around the 35000 even going up to 40000 pesos per month. Wich would be 1817.23 and 2083.33 dollars respectively. So what this means is you cannot be middle class even if you work very hard working for voyce. Maybe if they really cared they would cut down the upper management luxuries and start hearing the voices of their workers. Because voyce is very profitable to the expense of the worker. As this colleague explains in the video. Let´s see if they really live up to their motto. Everyone deserves a voice... And above all, let´s hope there is no reataliation or harrasment in the workplace agains´t any of our co-workers who dared to speak what we already knew. And hopefully they revert all those awful changes and sit down to talk and dialogue. Hopefully they actually care about the workers. But let´s see what happends next. Because everyone deserves a voice.

Update: On August 5th approx. 8:40 PM (ET), Voyce sent a policy repeal email, stating that the company will NOT require their interpreters to have the camera on during audio-only calls. 🎉 I will try to make a follow-up video talking about this more in detail as soon as possible!

안녕하세요. 저는 VOYCE 스페인어와 영어 통역사예요. 메이슨임의 말했던 것을 저도 전부다 통의해요. 정말 메이슨 씨가 잘 말해 주셨어. 👏

미국이나 캐나다에 상대적으로 젊은 통역사가 없어서 너무 반가워요. 페이스북으로도 이야기 가끔 나눴던거 같은데..(같은 그룹에 서로 속해있는 걸로 알아요) 네이버 블로그도 그렇고...메디컬 인터프리터 그룹도.. 아무튼 반가워요. 저는 법정통역사인데 (의료통역도 하지만), 기억하실지 모르겠지만 자주 소통하고 공부하며 도움 주고 받으면 좋겠어요 !!

Can you recommend an OPI agency that will allow me to work flexible hours, thanks, and great video 🫰🏻

I dont like it and I dont agree with it and ive been doing this for 9 years and this is the first time that I have encounter a situation like this one

As an interpreter who is not based in the US or Canada, it's challenging enough to do my job with the questionable audio quality in OPI calls, I even change my posture completely to rest a bit and try to focus on giving good renditions with my interpretation. Being monitored adds a new layer of pressure during the call, even though it won't be during EVERY call, but just thinking that it might happen at any moment is stressful enough. That being said, I'm amazed by some interpreters being upset with these new policies while simultaneously offering their accounts (or IDs) to someone else to take calls for them or doing overbilling. I mean, they're wondering why we have to go through all of this and the reason is THEM. I'm not defending the policies, not at ALL, I think that's something Voyce should've thought about more carefully. I'm just complaining about the "bad interpreters" who have the nerve to be angry and upset about this when in reality they're the reason why the rest of us have to deal with the aftermath when we don't deserve it.

Are the other companies paying the samee rate with opi and vri calls???

Please give recommendations of other good lsps!

Could you talk about why it is importat for voyce to allow OPI only option? the whole voyce community is paying close attention to your videos.

if i was working for voyce i think i would be looking for other companies

I do not like it. At all

STRIKE VOYCE SPANISH INTERPRETERS LATAM - **UPDATED DATE AUGUST 5th FROM 9am-3pm ET* DONT LOG TO YOUR SHIFT* Join the cause! Demands: Camera shall remain INACTIVE during audio calls, so interpreters are able to -Rest eyes from screen -Rest their backs allowing change of posture as needed. -Only being monitored for the standard that pertains to the call For an audio call to be HIPAA compliant, the requirements would be: 1.-No 3rd parties should be physically present in the working area and/or exposed to the audio of an interpreting call, hence no other voices should be heard in the call other than the interpreters, nor the interpreter should be heard interacting with a 3rd person at their home office in any call. Interpreter understands QA should be able to listen to the AUDIO of a live call at any point to ensure this. 2.-No background noises; children, pets, chewing noises, drinking noises construction within the home and even relocating within the home office to minimize external noise sources like construction work (if near the area) Interpreter understands quiet environment expectations and is willing to adapt if instructed by QA about a noise issue. As well as using mute to ensure professionalism when drinking water to hydrate. -Mental health; Micromanaging interpreters’ visual demeanor in a call where the requirement is only audio, increases anxiety. Interpreters only worry should be the quality of the interpretation, being able to multi task and complying to HIPAA as stated above, not about their appearance or visual demeanor during the call that has no relevance for this type of service. CHANGES IN RATES Dedicated schedule From $6 USD per hour to $8 USD per hour. Freelance From 0.21 cents per minute to 0.26 cents per minute Both rates adjust to current economy status. Interpreters are not provided with support for working hardware (headset, backdrop, camera), holiday pay, overtime rate, health insurance, affiliations discounts with any company (gyms, medical clinics, food vouchers) yet we are EXPECTED to meet the highest professional and quality standards and fulfilling full-time or part-time stablished and committed hours with none of the benefits. We are considered independent contractors; however, the current rate is not a match for all the benefits that are not provided and what is being asked of interpreters. It is time for a change.

It is most likely against the law to invade someone's privacy including in a job setting when the call is suppsed to be audio only, if the call is video then that is another story.. It is also against the law for companies to have a "black" list and label people as non rehireable. I have a suggestion for Voyce if they are having those quality issues is that they can use artificial intelligence to monitor the audio calls for those bad interpreters. Those bad interpreters can be easily caught and dealt with without that extreme updated policy.. I don't work for Voyce anymore as a freelance contractor but seems like a very tense situation.

Your course is wonderful. Congratulations! I intend to take the full course in a near future.

Hello there, just engaging with this video! Thanks for explaining!

Yesterday they sent a new update, they are not going to implement that new policy

Coming from Facebook!! Good job!!

Thank you

Please keep us updated and representing our thoughts. Everyone deserves a Voyce.

I absolutely agree with you. If you take on a dedicated schedule, you know you are working back-to-back for more than four hours. Being aware that you might be observed even on an audio call is nerve-wracking.

You're the best buddy

Hello sir, thank u for your great tips, could u pls tell me how to become a Free lance interpreter, I am a linguist , speaking four languages English, Farsi/Dari , Pushtu, Urdu , working a translator and Interpreter for two big companies, what documents are required?

Hi Mason!! Thank you for your great content, I have a question, interpreters who speak more than 2 languages are paid more or is the same?

Hello, I wanted to take a moment to greet you and congratulate you on your RUclips channel. Offering free training for medical interpretation is incredibly valuable, especially in Latin America, where often only experienced interpreters are hired. Your efforts are greatly appreciated and make a significant difference. Thank you for providing such an important resource.

Where can i have the terminology to study please

Hi,I have a question,(I'm learning English I hope you can understand me) if I'm 16 years old,how can I prepare my self to be a interpreter? Because I want (in my future) to study medicine and at the same time I want to be a interpreter to make money for me, I'm studying English, I'm thinking that I have to buy a book about medicine to students in English to learn English and vocabulary of medicine at the same Time,,i really want to do that How can I start? I'm confused,I have 4 years to prepare my self before university because as I said I'm 16 years old (turning 17 years old now on 27 July ) I want to work online i mean to be a interpreter,, and other question,how many money can I earn? Can you reply me? Please 🙏🙏🥹 I have a problem,I live in Italy,my Italian is b1 (I need to improve but I can talk with people,I want to reach a c1-c2 level) but I speak Spanish so I have no idea if I have to be medical interpreter between spanish-english or Italian -english,if the case is Italian -english I'm not a native speaker ,but i can improve,i have 4 years more

Thank you, Mason. I took UTIP course a few months ago and passed the written exam today. The main reasons for taking his class was that the course was reasonably priced and relatively not boring. Also, I finished watching all of his lectures already, so why not paying for the practice exams and a certificate? For the interpreter part, I almost solely relied on his lectures and practice exams. For anatomy and physiology, in addition to watching CrashCourse videos that Mason has included in his course, I took other youtube videos that are easier for me : ) I hope Mason will post more videos regarding the oral exam. Thanks, again!

Hello i am very Interested in your course

Thankyou so much for your video 🎉

강의를 수강하고 싶은데요! 장기계획으로 한국어와 스페인어 두개언로도 다 따려고하는데요. 40hour courses는 한번만 들으면 되는걸까요? 한국어.스페인어 다 능숙하고 통역경험 있습니다. 다만 의료분야는 처음입니다. 저같은사람에게 조언좀 부탁드립니다^^

this is gold!

Its happened already. Over.

How can I pay to get the complete course ?

Hey Mason, how do I get in contact with you directly? I might have something of interest to you. Im a TI trainer as well.

Hi Mason, I just saw your channel yesterday and finished watching your 3 parts series of how to become CMI. I have a serious question that is will the course you introduce fulfill the 40 hours of medical training requirement for the NBCMI? Or would it have to be a well known online course?