Correct, I have been running out of work too, but this always happens SM

• Hey former MQ'ers. Question for ya. - Looking
  • I am also on ExText - PAMT~MDM
  • I left after 7 years, and am much happier, - sm
    • Where are you? Or another happy TTer? - nm
  • Former MQ - CapeMT
    • I got mine within 2 weeks. (nm) - beth
  • Former MQ - So Happy
  • I went from MQ to Spheris. I like Spheris much better, SM - MT50
    • Let me tell you about Spheris -- they cut 221 - people when I left because
      • Job going down the tubes - mom2huskies
        • It's less an American co with branch in India, than an Indian - co with branch in US.
      • Don't think she was portraying a golden company. She - just said she liked it. SM
        • Correct, I have been running out of work too, but this always happens SM - MT50
    • The health insurance is awful, but if you like it - great.
      • I dont have the health insurance, but I know it is awful. NM - MT50

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Hi there!

About running out of work - I see this is a very hot topic on the boards, as well as in the entire industry, and it's always the same this time of year.  I am a supervisor now, but when I was a regular MT, working on production, it used to be the most frustrating time ever - from mid-October to right after the first of the year.  I'll never forget dialing in multiple times on my C phone one Christmas - all day long.  I just felt like I was fighting for work. 

First of all, the reason for this dramatic drop in work is attributed to several different reasons.  It's not that the company has hired too many people, and pushed you out of work.  It's not that someone is secretly manipulating your work pool, and taking work away.  It has nothing to do with offshoring, or any of that - Trust me.  This was a problem WAY before offshoring became the major issue it is today.  This is simply a result of less office and hospital visits.  Most hospital visits are generated by older patients, and their routine, or urgent, procedures, necessitating H&Ps, Consultations, Discharge Summaries, OP notes, clinic visits to follow up the surgery they just had, etc., and etc. Many of them simply do not want to get out this time of year.  They will put off going to the doctor until after the holidays.  No one wants to schedule things during the holidays, and even people who have minor emergencies will try to treat themselves rather than go to the ER during this busiest season of the year.

So, how do we manage it?

I take a lesson from some people I know who are union workers, and their work is mostly outdoors.  Their work slows down during the wintertime.  They know it, and they prepare for it.  They put their funds in a savings account, or their branch of the union does it for them, to doll out later when work is leaner.  You can be your own credit union.  Many companies offer great - ABSURDLY great - incentives when the work is in a big backlog.  Take this opportunity next year, and put all of your overtime or incentive pay in a savings account, so you can use it when the holidays hit again near the end of October next year!  You could just jump from company to company, or decide to go work in an office somewhere hourly, but don't fool yourself.  Neither of those solutions will ever replace the rewards for being a dependable, steady, disciplined, loyal employee of a good company.  Find one you like, and stick with it, but know ahead of time that this year is going to be lean.  Be ready - be expectant.  It's one of the things about this industry you wish someone would have told you when you started, right?  Well, I'm telling you...

Either these companies are overhiring, or losing accounts? What do you think it is?  I am afraid to start my new job, because I am seeing posts where they run out of work....This is too frustrating...

Either these companies are overhiring, or losing accounts? What do you think it is?  I am afraid to start my new job, because I am seeing posts where they run out of work....This is too frustrating...

of the time of the year.  Typically the period between Thanksgiving and the first of the year is a slowdown for the entire industry. 

This company pays well and on time.  They treat their employees very well.  You won't go wrong applying here and accepting their offer if one is extended. 

Just curious, I have been an MT for about 18 years - and then stopped for a couple of years.  I am now working for a service.  I read posts about running out of work.  My question to all of you is:

Is this pretty standard with any service you work for?  I know it is hard for them to control when the docs dictate, etc.  Just wondering.  Are there any companies that have somewhat of a steady workflow, or are there more MTs than work available now a days?

Just wondered if anyone was getting consistent workloads in their queues.  This is not good for my diet. LOL

This is absolutely ridiculous. Not much longer and I am out of there. They tell you on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to work extra for your lines and just barely made my lines today. What a crock. Not everyone is able to jump at their beck and call and I refuse to be a puppet for 4 cents a line for VR.  

Good or bad?

It seems like MQ is the company most people are complaining about, but lately someone from Amphion told me they were running out of work, too.

So why does this happen? I understand with MQ because of all the changes, but why Amphion? Or perhaps it was just the one person having trouble with their one account?

Being switched around a lot.  Great company, just very private about things.  Getting frustrated with them. 

Are you working on C-phone accounts or the internet platform?   I am just now in training, and I am wondering if I should re-think my decision. If there is new management in place and this is a direct result of such, I am now hesitant to continue. 

What do you do if it is your scheduled weekend day to work. If you have set aside a certain time to work on a Saturday or Sunday and there is no work, do they expect you to continually check throughout the day in order to do your ''commitment?  There is no way I can do this as I have other commitments also and can't spend 12 hours trying to do 5 hours of work. I can only set aside a certain timeframe to transcribe on the weekend and if there is no work in those hours, I won't be able to get the lines done. Any insight you can shed would be so much appreciated.