I rreceived a job request from DCR Litigation. Would it be unprofessional of me to let them know I am decling the job because I have heard it it difficult to get paid by them?

[Kathleen Gordon]

 

  I rreceived a job request from DCR Litigation.  Would it be unprofessional of me to let them know I am decling the job because I have heard it it difficult to get paid by them?

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

Cynthia, you're better off calling them back and tell them you cannot take the work now.  You will NOT get paid.  Another reporter just posted on another site about not being paid for some jobs from 2013.  By the way, the owner's husband is an attorney so if you start asking for your money months, years down the road, you will get a threatening letter from the husband.  Do youself a favor and decline the job.

 

[Cynthia Brostrom]

I just accepted a job reporting two days' worth of depos from DCR. Unfortunately, I didn't check this site before accepting the depos. Are people still having difficulty being paid by them? I'm going to be traveling 2 hours to get to the depos and then spend the night. I'm concerned that I'm going to be paying a lot out of my pocket in order to take these. I want to make sure it's worth my time.

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

OMG, Trisha, what a great idea.  As I said before, I've never worked for this firm, but if I had and they screwed me over, I would be calling them asking for work, and then do exactly what you just said...lmao.

[Cindy Harris]

I see no harm in being honest with them.  I personally think they need to know word is getting around; maybe they'll make an effort to do better.  Also, otherwise, you will have to keep declining them until they stop contacting you.

[Rosalie DeLeonardis]

They just posted yesterday a "GREAT JOB, GREAT ATTORNEY" through another site requesting a reporter for two jobs, same case, same day, two different cities, and unfortunately a reporter took the job. 

[Melinda Miller]

It would not be unprofessional to let them know you are declining.  After I took a job with DCR Litigation, the headaches were unbelievable.  It's not worth it.  I regretted taking that one job so much. 

[Lucy Carrillo-Grubbs]

omg i came across this issue, DCR just booked a few jobs with me.  I mistakenly thought it was a firm I had worked for before.  Then i mentioned it to another reporter friend and she said do not work for them.  I put a call into them to decline the jobs i took from them, they said the person wasn't available and i should leave a msg.  Now I am more convinced I should just let the jobs go.  I am not desperate... and I hate firms that cheat all of us.  I do need to check into DOD though, sounds interesting.  Although most of the firms i work for i don't have an issue.

[Kathleen Gordon]

Hi  Amanda,

 

     Thanks for the reply.  I liked your ideas.  Obviously I did not take the job.  I've been burnt before on being paid, and it is so unpleasant.  I think the majority of court reporters take time to put out a good transcript and to then not get paid is so darn annoying!

 

Kathleen Gordon

[Amanda Leigh]

I do not believe it is unprofessional.  If you are not accepting the work because you are concerned you will not be paid or paid timely or as agreed, then I don't see a problem with expressing that concern, with any agency.  I might be more inclined to take the work with the understanding I will be delivering the transcript DOD through PDF-It! (Depos on Demand), meaning they must pay your invoice in full, for original and all copies sold and other expenses incurred, if any, before they can download the transcript.

 

With the seemingly increasing problem of reporters not being paid or not being paid timely and according to agreement, DOD might be the way to go--at least until a trusted working relationship is established (like many agencies have prepay for law firms when they are unfamiliar with them or are out of state).  Of course, it would not protect you for any payment due and owing when no transcript is ordered, unfortunately--maybe a retainer or credit card information on file, just in case?  Lol.  Wouldn't it be nice if reporters would come together on this--we could effect change.

[Kathleen Gordon]

Hi Judy,

 

     I wanted to let them know that their practice of not paying reporters was getting them a reputation.  However, I spoke to a friend of mine who owns an agency.   She said that I should probably just decline the job and not get involved.   So that's what I did.   Kathleen Gordon