Common Reasons Some Court Reporters Hate Their Jobs
If you’re lucky enough to love every aspect of your job, then good for you!
But you should realized you’re in the minority. Now, this isn’t to say that most people hate their jobs with the fire of a thousand suns. However, many professionals do have their “off days” (or months) where they would rather binge-watch Netflix than go into work. This is especially true for professionals with high stress, monotonous, or mentally grueling careers.
In 2014, this type of job frustration made headlines when a court reporter caused chaos in multiple high-profile cases as a result of his career woes. Rather than transcribing the cases’ dialogues and proceedings, he repeatedly typed “I hate my job” and other gibberish over and over again for an astounding three months’ worth of cases—affecting 30 transcripts and at least ten individual cases.
What could possibly have affected him so badly that he would jeopardize not only his career, but also the integrity of so many cases? Surprisingly, the answer to this question is well-known among court reporters: the stress of the profession is the top cause of court reporter burn-out.
Stress: The Dark Side of Court Reporting
Court reporting is a huge responsibility. You’re expected to accurately and quickly record every word and action that occurs during a proceeding. Furthermore, any mistake you make, any word you mishear or misinterpret, could wind up compromising the record and potentially the entire case.
Needless to say, the stress factor is high. Sadly, however, responsibility isn’t the only stress-inducer that court reporters find frustrating. In addition to the need to live up to high expectations, court reporters must also deal with the following irritations:
- Long work hours. Although courtroom proceedings are usually held during normal business hours, additional court reporting tasks (depositions, finalizing transcripts, filing, etc.) can be required during morning hours or last throughout the night. A busy schedule can be like college finals week, day in and day out.
- Physical discomfort. Court reporters routinely have to sit for long periods of time. Although attorneys have the opportunity stretch out their legs and take breaks, the court reporter must continue to do her job as long as someone in the proceedings is talking. Prolonged sitting can cause severe discomfort and health problems from muscle and joint aches to circulation problems.
- Ever-increasing demands. Attorneys often request transcripts quickly, adjust deadlines, and add last-minute demands to an already heavy workload, without so much as a “please” or “thank you.”
- Competition. Court reporting is an extremely competitive field. Clients are always looking forseasoned reporting services at the best possible prices. A firm unwilling or unable to provide the latest technology may lose business to a firm that does. Client loyalty is not assured, and reporters need to work above and beyond their call of duty to get and maintain steady work.
It’s no wonder some court reporters choose to find a different profession. It takes a strong constitution and tireless determination to prevail as a distinguished court reporter…although you may still occasionally want to scream (and that’s okay).
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