Red Tape Translation

Life Admin

What’s the difference between Life Admin and Skype Coaching?

If you book a Skype coaching, it’s a session for an hour or more with an expert on particular topics (usually me, Kathleen) who will advise you on things like

  • preparing for your appointment at a public office
  • getting married in Germany
  • setting up as a freelancer in Germany

If you book Life Admin, a Life Admin assistant (usually an interpreter) will help you

  • make German phone calls in conference mode
  • fill out forms
  • understand the correspondence that you’ve received.

The interpreter is not necessarily an expert in the area with which you need help, but they are very happy to use your Life Admin time to make phone calls with you or on your behalf to find out the information you need from the public offices directly.

Can you make phone calls on my behalf?

I am happy to make calls on your behalf if it’s appropriate. Some matters can only be handled with a conference call, though. For example, it won’t be possible to call your bank or speak to the Agentur für Arbeit without you being on the line.  In these cases you need to identify yourself and give permission to have me talk about your case.

I’ve bought an hour but I don’t need all of it. What happens to my leftover time?

You’ve got a year to use up your Life Admin credit, so if we speak for 15 minutes, you’ll have 45 minutes remaining and twelve months to use it. Just keep in mind that if you need to schedule a time to discuss anything with us or be on the line for a three-way call, you’ll use a minimum of 15 minutes per session.

How does Red Tape Translation handle privacy procedures during phone calls?

For certain phone calls, you might need to identify yourself or give verbal permission to have me on the line. You might also have to give a phone password or other personal information. If you’re making a payment, you might have to give your credit card number over the phone. Rest assured I do not ever record your personal information. If you’re still not comfortable giving me access to this information, you might prefer to use your Telephone Time for something else.

How does Red Tape Translation handle sensitive information during phone calls?

With confidentiality, tact, professionalism and neutrality.

When can’t I use Life Admin?

If you want me to make calls, keep in mind that some banks or other organisations might not reveal information over the telephone when a third party is present on the line for security reasons, even after you have given your consent verbally. Unfortunately, a refund of time used to make that phone call will not be possible.

Life Admin is not an tax or legal advisory service – e.g. I can’t represent you in a legal dispute or complete your tax return or VAT statement. I also can’t give you insurance recommendations. I can help you to translate a contract but I can’t offer my opinion on whether sections of it are legally sound.

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