atw: Re: samples of work requested at interview
- From: Christine Kent <cmkentau@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:41:59 +1000
I've had a similar problem with sending some samples to one client of how I
designed a Word course for another client. The samples still had the
identification features of the previous client (it was my copyright but I
still should not have sent it with the existing headers and footers). I
stressed that these materials were for the client's eyes only, and very
quickly she involved me in discussions with people she had shared them with
- against my wishes. When we decided not to go ahead with me developing and
delivering the proposed course, I asked several time that they confirm in
writing that they had destroyed all copies of the materials I sent. I
never got a reply so I have no written document of any kind saying that
they had destroyed the materials.
In other words, don't do it. NEVER supply softcopy, even to a trusted
client, because you never know when that trusted client is going to do a
Janus on you. So certainly NEVER supply any materials to someone you have
no reason to trust and who has no loyalty whatsoever to you.
ck
On Tue, Aug 14, 2012 at 3:17 PM, Warren Lewington <wjlewington@xxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> I explain that I have permission to take items with me but I do not have
> permission to freely distribute them due to confidentiality and security
> issues. This is usually acceptable.****
>
> ** **
>
> A couple of years ago I did send some stuff through to a so and so with
> the caveat that none of it was to be sent on to anyone else or printed.
> Please... Sure enough, about two months later, I was called by someone who
> said: “so and so sent me some of your work and I thought I would give you a
> call…”****
>
> ** **
>
> I never got that work they were talking about (they wanted someone to go
> and explain how to create a template like mine for free…). ****
>
> ** **
>
> So I would NEVER send out work I have done to anyone again. Frankly any
> technical writer who does distribute work they have done for clients and do
> not own property rights to runs a serious risk of legal proceedings against
> them. There is a grey area where you show it but take it back… Especially
> if you have permission from staff of the organization. Bear in mind that
> that staff permission counts after they have left…****
>
> ** **
>
> Wassa.****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:
> austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Bob Trussler
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 14 August 2012 15:03
> *To:* austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> *Subject:* atw: samples of work requested at interview****
>
> ** **
>
> This has happened twice now. An organisation has requested that I send
> them copies of my previous work – as SOFTCOPIES!****
>
> We have … decided to request examples of written work before we progress
> to interview.
> One or two examples of some user guide or instructional material you have
> developed would be much appreciated.****
>
> ** **
>
> This is a great idea BUT as I work for government departments, most of the
> work that I do is confidential in one way or another.
> In the past, I have taken a bundle of carefully selected printed copies of
> my work to an interview.
> I don't keep a copy of seriously confidential documents for personal use,
> because I am simply not allowed to. In many offices, you cannot copy to a
> USB memory stick or CD or whatever so taking a softcopy cannot be done. *
> ***
>
> ****
>
> Does the person requesting the sample documents understand
> confidentiality? ****
>
> Do they consider the situation if it was reversed and I gave a softcopy of
> their documents to another organisation, maybe a competitor?****
>
> What do other people do in this situation?****
>
>
> Bob Trussler****
>
--
Christine
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