Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken

["Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

I don't think I've ever worked for a company I would call
particularly "enlightened."  Most of them held the view
that engineers, programmers, writers, etc., were hired
to do a job, part of that job included working as a team
with other people the company had hired, and for anyone 
who had a problem with that for some reason, there was
the door.  Writers were ranked and paid at the same
levels as engineers, because they usually were, used
to be and/or could potentially leave their writing positions
and go back to being engineers if they weren't ranked 
and paid that way, and they were "respected" and
supported by the engineers because (a) the engineers 
understood that they were being paid to "respect" and 
support them, and (b) the engineers understood that if 
they didn't "respect" and support good writers the 
company wouldn't be able to hire and keep any and 
then they would have to go back to writing their own 
documents.

If carrying a "developer" title really brings you more
"respect" and money, maybe the real problem is that 
your company calls its programmers "software 
developers" and doesn't ensure that they have a clear
understanding that they're part of a development 
*team* and not  "developers" unless they're performing 
all the functions required to turn out a product (including 
the documentation).

Gene Kim-Eng


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Swallow" <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
> Really? The title is that magical?
> 
> I have to say something here, because this is going back to the age
> old Dangerfield thread ("I can't get no respect")...
> 
> I have never had a problem earning the respect of those I work with. I
> have never been sub-par with anyone I've worked with. Even now, with a
> vague, newly invented title and wishy-washy job description (whatever
> I happen to explain it as, until HR puts something down in the books),
> I have no problem working with my peers (who range in title about 9
> levels). My company is not enlightened, but the more proactive of us
> certainly make it a point to behave as though anyone's problem is
> everyone's problem, and so we work together to get things done. It's
> about results, not who holds the loftier title, for many of us.
> 
> Salary is a very different beast, and the only guarantee of being on
> the same pay level is to have the same job level on the books.
> Otherwise there's always a chance of it fluctuating. But don't expect
> a title to earn you more. I'm sure there are folks at my "level" in my
> company who make a hell of a lot more than I do. It doesn't keep me up
> at night, and I certainly don't hold any kind of grudge about it. I'm
> sure there are many reasons why people make what they make. If HR ever
> wants to level the playing field, I won't complain (so long as they
> don't take away from anyone), but I won't complain either way. IMHO,
> if you took a job at a particular pay level, and you're unhappy about
> it, then why'd you take it in the first place?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.