Some are, but those who aren’t, are the ones who become good friends.
But I’d like to think they are replaceable. Especially as the possibility occurs that I might be moving to a different location, probably very well reachable by means of transport.
Am I picky? I honestly don’t think so. I really think it’s pretty normal for me to ask for an assistant who knows correct Dutch and correct English when I’m a writer who dictates a lot. Because this seems the biggest problem. I don’t think I have to be a writer who’s incapable of writing her mind.
What about respect and appreciation? Indeed, it needs to come from both sides. I’m an easy employer I think, and I don’t ask that unusal things, just things that need to be done. Nobody had trouble getting one or a few days off.
Paws