TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
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There's a simple test to calibrate your ethics and your acceptance of
resonsibility: Are you willing to quit when your sense of ethics or
responsibility is violated? If not then maybe it's time to rethink your
standards.
I have always had the greatest respect for people who quit on
principle.
Maybe tech writers will be respected as professionals when they deal
with non-cooperative or non-supportive clients the way other
professions do:
- The medical profession has a term for patients who will not follow
medical advice. They call them 'non-compliant' and they discharge them
from their practice, often with advice to seek psychiatric help.
- Lawyers (even lawyers!) will refuse to represent clients who won't
cooperate in their own defense.
- Try telling your CPA that you aren't going to give him all your
financial information on time, but he is still responsible for
correctly calculating your taxes. He'll discharge you too.
- Diplomats resign all the time when they cannot support the policy of
their superiors.
Of course, the professions mentioned above have more training than tech
writers and therefore are granted more credibility when they pronounce
a client to be uncooperative. They also function in a different
political and regulatory environment.
And quitting on principle is a lot easier in those professions where
your regular income allows you to amass a large rainy-day fund.
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