I am prepared not to break the law
Posted By: done done done on 2009-07-25
In Reply to: Be prepared to find - Justme
Among other things.
Will I need to file past taxes? Yeah. But I've only worked for this company for a year, so it's not that big of a deal for me.
Will it mean I have to pay MORE in taxes? VERY HIGHLY unlikely. However, even if I do, it's worth it to me.
Why? Because I would prefer to stay inside the law.
There are several reasons why it's a Very Bad Thing for companies to willfully misclassify employees as independent contractors. The least of which is that misclassification - on average - costs taxpayers money.
Second, and most importantly, because so many companies are willing to dramatically uneven the playing field ILLEGALLY, it leaves VERY little room for success for an honest company willing to provide quality service and pay their employees accordingly.
Being complicit in the cheating of one company SCREWS the majority of all other transcriptionists.
Are you really so selfish to be a cog in this machine? For what cannot be much more than a few dollars a paycheck, when you start figuring in the tax issue and the lack of benefits?
If we're going to have rules, EVERYONE should have to play by them. Or we should get rid of the rules ... and then see what happens.
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Prepared
You sound like one savvy person. I think any hope that either MDI or Transcend might have for getting trust from MTs would be evaporated with the way this merger was handled. It is obvious that MTs are only things like pieces of equipment. Who knows, someone will invent a faux human with a USB port and they can do away with us altogether. I am still disillusioned that America's most patriotic company could have done this.
Prepared to be bored and much more. sm
I did legal for 9 years. I even went on to get my paralegal degree too. I loved the research, client interviews, etc., but the transcription is boring with a capital B. Tons and tons of formatting and forms as everything is different for each area of law and has to be done just so.
I was good at it, but ended up moving and couldn't find legal. I love MT so much more than legal. So much more interesting and a lot more money.
If you think healthcare is a tough field, wait until you deal with lawyers. If you want to stay at home and If you're going to go legal, study court reporting. That's where the interesting stuff is and the big bucks. Most legal transcription is inhouse so that the lawyers can have you schedule, answer phones, greet clients, take care of their trailing dockets AND do the transcription which they generally crab about if it's not done in a timely fashion even though the phone rings off the hook all day.
And if you work for a lawyer inhouse, buy suits, nice shoes and a briefcase (with an extra pair of nylons in case you get a run) and make sure your car doesn't look bad next to their caddy. They generally don't like that. :)
I did have one really great lawyer I worked for that didn't really care about all of that, but he also didn't really care about paying all that much.
Good luck!
and p.s. be prepared to hear from
*supposed* employees who will tell you it isn't so. They are lying and they are getting paid to lie. They know that American MTs are getting wise to being used by them.
Don't accept anything less than $50K and be prepared
,,,
Be prepared to be let go if you don't comply.
/
How hard is it to be prepared if
your check isn't there for one day? Wow, payday is Monday; if you get it early, great; if not, maybe don't over extend yourself....flame away if you must, but if you are truly living that tightly, maybe another job or backup plan?
Be prepared to run out of work
a lot. Feast or famine. If you're planning to get that $1500 signon bonus, forget it. The indians get all the jobs at night, nary a report left for an American to do.
Be prepared to find
another job. I don't believe this can be done anonymously, and it will probably also have tax implications for you on past tax returns.
Be prepared to go on welfare. (SM)
Most of the regions for Transcend are fairly good but there are a couple that the managers consistently overhire and leave us with no work. My manager and team leads do not care whether I eat or not or whether I have insurance because we have no work, but some of my friends tell me they have more work than they can do, so I guess it is just the luck of the draw. Too bad they keep a couple of bad eggs to make things stinky for some of us. One thing I learned a long time ago - do not complain or you get labeled as a complainer and then the next step is out the door. They are heartless.
If you go to the docs, be prepared to lose your job.
Although how much can that matter if you are not being paid anyway!!! I personally have never had this happen to me, but I can see where it could cause major problems on many levels (especially if you have automatic bank withdrawals). I would have to consider - Is it the client's fault? Is the company not managing money correctly? Does this happen often?
It is your employer's place to investigate this problem with the client, not you. I would strongly suggest that you not go directly to the client unless you have reached your limit with the company and no longer wish to be employed by them. Have they actually broken their contract agreement with you. If so, then I say it is every man for himself so to speak.
Be prepared to give a schedule and stick to it.
In my personal experirence, I was titled IC but let me tell you, if I was not signed on DURING THE SET HOURS I WAS ASKED TO PROVIDE, EMAILS AND CALLS ENSUED.
IC? Not so much. More like employee without employees, IMO.
Sincerely, I do hope you're prepared to work for 8 cpl now
Apparently MDI was one of the companies that paid their experienced MTs pretty well.
With the merge, you'll be making less eventually. If you quit and look for a new job, you'll be making less, way less, than you were making at MDI.
I'm another one who's BTDT, too. I went from making 11 cpl to now making 8 cpl. I tried HARD to find any company, obscure to well known, that will start off more than that. Couldn't find 'em. Probably won't ever go up, either.
Just sayin' that you should be prepared to budget your living costs for the amount of money you'll be missing each month compared to what you were making at MDI. It's awful, I know, been through it. Going to school now to do something else, getting out.
How did they break it to you?
Why would they drop direct deposit? Does it cost a company to provide that service? Sorry to hear about your insurance. 
Give me a break.
I doubt 100% that you posted AGAINST Keystrokes and used your real name. Not gonna make me believe that in a minute, cause if you did, it would have been spread all over this board like wildfire, with Lee and the whole gang from KS posting to you, yadda, yadda. Don't believe you one minute. As for posting against Spheris, hmmmm... they have like 12,000 or more employees now? Bigger than MQ. So, boy, you're sure brave if you ever posted as Michelle. Yep, they'd be able to zero right in on you on their radar screen! Please....Transcend watches this board like a hawk, and DOES contact posters. PERIOD. It is scary and it is a hassle, so its a business strategy that does work for them regarding damage control. Doesn't mean any of us are "hiding" or that our negative comments are any less valid than your soap-box stances defending Transcend.
Give me a break!
I understand there are two sides to every story, but there is no excuse for not paying the people who have worked for you. I just hope you are a better business owner than she is.
Give me a break.....
I know a whole lot more hard working, LOYAL, honest, go-the-extra-mile transcriptionists then I do companies who truely appreciate them. It is not the work ethic of the general TX that has caused the rates to go down. It is greed on the part of the company. I have now been with SEVEN different companies in the past 3 years as an IC and have never done the things you suggest. What I get is days without work or days that I am expected to work 24 hours, late/no paycheck, awful and ridiculous platforms, doctor switching games, etc.
I'd gladly still be with the first company I ever worked for if they'd just pay......
Give me a Break!!
Ya know, I must be cranky today, but...some posts below really got my dander up! MTs are asking for referrals about companies, and someone actually posts that the company is GREAT - I believe GREAT is the adjective. Then inside message says something to the effect of: I'm a new hire, too, and I hear the work will be picking up soon. PICKING UP SOON!! This is after several MTs claim no work, which is what we all-too-often hear with these companies. Hiring and WORK SHOULD BE PICKING UP SOON!! And the poster closes by saying how NICE everyone is. That he/she doesn't mind lack of work cause they are NICE. Grrrrrrrrrrrr...
I wish we could have some coding system where MTs gave job referrals based on LIFE SITUATIONS. Like how many of us really need the income?? Versus those who obviously don't really need the $$ and don't mind being hired for a job with NO WORK. But the people are nice...Can you imagine? I used to hire people in-house for hospitals - all depts. I can just imagine me HIRING people for work that wasn't really there... Give me a BREAK. Nice...
How about giving me a break?
I am the MT who seemed to upset a lot of you with my post below about MDI and the lack of work for some. Unlike what many of you surmised, I also need a regular income, a daily line count that I can depend on and I work far more than 1-2 hours per day and always have. I am also an MT who has been kicked to the curb by enough MTSO's to make me want to quit this profession at times and work at just about anything else. What I was saying below is that MDI, at least for me, is trying to get me more work and guess what? I have more now! Yes, everyone, they are being helpful and NICE! When compared to others I have worked for, who have also been low in work at times, and who have told me and other MTs who ask for more work, to basically get over it and wait it out or go elsewhere, I think I prefer the treatment I have received with MDI far above the others. If a nice company doesn't cut it for you, then go to the many out there who don't give a rat's behind how they treat you. They are not hard to find. When the work is there, you will be worked to death and when it isn't, they could not care less. Heck, you can make good money these days working on a garbage truck, so if nice isn't important,what's stopping you?
It is just a different field to break into now...
I have only been an MT for 4-1/2 years, and I am happy to hear that you found a job that you are happy with and making a good wage at.
However, to say that because MTs are not happy has something to do with their skills does an injustice to hardworking MTs. There are some of us who do 12-hour days, too.
The field is totally different that what it used to be. You can ask a majority of seasoned MTs, and they will tell you that wages are going down and the cost of benefits is becoming outrageous. It can take you almost 2 weeks to earn enough money to pay for family insurance. Couple that MTSOs who are making contracts with companies for acute care work when they have only hired transcriptionists with clinic experience, and you have some very overstressed MTs just trying to make a living. I have felt since starting I am being pushed to gain 10 years experience for each year I work. Some days you just wake up, go to work, and you are on a totally different account, totally different work type, and totally different part of the country with no warning.
Since starting in this profession, I have worked on over 20 different accounts in all areas of the country. Not only have I been required to learn medical transcription (and I have done all report types right through the OP notes), I have had to learn umpteen physician groups, hospitals in those areas, nursing homes, drug stores, county social service units...you name it.
I have consistently good quality scores, and I usually work at least 1-1/2 times my required production. I have been with my company close to 3 years, work nights and holidays, and have given up more family time than I care to consider. However, I just saw an ad where my employer is offering 10 cpl to do discharge summaries while I am doing consults for a clinic no one in the company wants to touch because of the difficulty factor, and they will not raise me above 7.5 CPL.
On top of that, I had to darn near beg today to have a technical problem taken care of that was preventing me from working. It was a 2-minute fix that took almost 40 minutes to resolve because our customer service kept telling me I wasn't even working as I had no jobs checked out and my boss kept switching her MSN messenger to say she was busy or away.
Do I feel disrespected and underpaid? YUP!
That is my reality.
Hate to break it to ya, but
*Isn't this just good business sense on their part in an environment where it is hard enough to feel connected and part of a team?*
Good business and reality are galaxies apart. During my final time at the last company I left, it was commented to me that for as long as I had been there and as good an MT as I was, they were surprised I had not asked for a raise. I had been with them 9 months. I was covering 12 different accounts and doing mostly ESL dictation. They thought when I turned in my resignation it was about money. It wasn't. It was about a having a level playing field and I didn't like their level of *honesty.* My work route was being manipulated and they couldn't admit what they were doing. Gravy was being given to lesser experienced MTs and I was getting nothing but crap and it was being touted that everyone was paid the same cpl. (okay, this example shows they were lying to me on that level! If they were willing to give me more money to keep me, then they were surely doing that to other people, right?) I wanted an honest work environment and the money. That is what I have now. I've already gotten one raise at the new MTSO with the promise of a second when I hit a new lpd average (two months).
So, it would not hurt to broach the subject if they don't with you. The worse they can do is say no to a raise and explain their review policy. At least you will know where you stand, how you feel, and what your options are.
Give em a break at least -- sm
they are giving US MTs a chance to get started rather than offsourcing to India. At least they are giving back to the USA in one form or another.
They could just send it off and be done with it.
Looks like OSI can't catch a break
Ah, I do agree with you on the break sm
pay. As for sitting in front of the monitor for a certain period, you can work for a company that allows some flexibility (a window of time) in your schedule. That makes it better. I know the MT side of it, our low wages, etc, but the hospital side of it is - we have strict TATs and sick people, whatcha gonna do? There's got to be coverage during certain hours. Anyway, I digress.
give me a break
It's called being courteous to my employers, asking rather than telling them and this is completely irrelevant to this board and rather discourteous on your part.
Give her a break!
Maybe there are reasons she does not want minimum line counts per shift/day. I have a hard time with line counts myself but with good reason. I tore my TFCC in Dec. 06 and had surgery. It is stable now but I have lost some range of motion which has slowed my typing speed a bit. That's why I stay away from minimum line count jobs. I do work for a smaller company though so they are ok with this.
I'm going to break out of the mold (sm)
I'd like to branch out to doing general transcription so I can finally 100% work for myself instead of partly me, partly them. I'd love to have a home-based secretarial service that did a lot of things I enjoy, bookkeeping, typing, etc. Maybe I'll do some research and just do it.
Best way to break into the MT business? SM
A good friend of mine is wanting to learn the trade. I am self-taught from many years back and have no clue what to recommend to her. What is the best way to get training - any online courses? None of our local schools offer anything except maybe a terminology course, etc. Any MT companies have mentor programs for true beginners? Any advice would be helpful. BTW, I truly believe she has the basis for success as she is very computer/English literate and quite the perfectionist - she lacks the medical experience, however. Again, thanks so much for any input! :)
Give me a break
I do answer posts about which companies are good, who pays on time, etc, if I know the answer so I am not a board troll but a participating member. Its okay to have an opininon the same as yours but something different and your a flamer. As for working hours, I was making a general statement as I see it all the time on this board...no one wants to work weekends or past 6 p.m. at the most. More than the OP jumped on this thread with the me too, no work post...and in my opinion if more people were willing to make sacrifices they would have work but everybody wants to work M-F. If that's the case then you need to leave your home and work in an office.
Give me a break
I'm working with 3 companies right now and will weed out the crap just like they weed through the MT's. I do ask the worst case scenario questions and have been lied to over and over again! I'm doing this to make money and put food on the table and if that means weeding out the B.S. that these companies give you - so be it! You sound like your from one of the companies I am now working for. They just started a new account and have NO CLUE what they are doing. The way things are so out of control I bet they never sat down with the hospital to go over how this project was going to be run - and now they are advertising for ANOTHER NEW ACCOUNT! I got 2 words for you sister - and it ain't Merry Christmas!
give me a break
are you saying becausse I am defending the company I work for that I am management and I am lying??? Give me a break. Obviously you are just not up to the high standard that we are held accountable for at this company and you got fired.
Break this down so I can understand
what are you talking about? TTS or this board or ?
GREAT why do THEY get the break!?!?
about the people is nothing new
Give me a break please!!
I am 100% Cherokee and never took that as a racist remark. I think that someone is just trying to stir the pot.
hate to break it to ya, but
the statement about MT being dominated by females is no longer a factor when it comes to wages. The picture is much bigger than that. If you look at the owners of the majority of companies, they are men, or groups of men and women. We call those _Boards of Directors_ Some are even called _Lobbiests_ and _Leaders_ of MT-associated groups.
I do agree with being nauseated over the new era of paid spaces being treated as if it was a benefit. This field is hurting so badly and it has nowhere to go but down.
Hate to break it to you....
but leads do not type during the time they are watching accounts nor do they take work from you. Get YOUR facts straight.
Give me a break (sm)
This doesn't sound at all like an MT who has worked on this platform: 'It's actually good news in that moving to a more efficient platform means management is working to save our jobs in a very competitive, unstable market by increasing our output, and thus our value to the hospitals.'
How do you know it's more efficient? Because they say so? Have you worked on it and found your output increasing?
I'm waiting for those MTs who are finding they're producing more to pipe in.
You are very rude and smug to people who have been hurt by this announcement. 'Rude and foolish messages' pretty much applies to yours.
Give me a break -- I am overworked!!!!
You obviously do not work there.... we have a ton of work.
I am sure there are 40,000 non-MQ people too, give us a break
I don't clock out for just a bathroom break or to
get coffee, but the bathroom and the coffee pot are only about 10 and 2 steps away respectively.
I agree 100%! I definitely think it's time to break them down! nm
x
She was trying to be helpful, give it a break. nm
nm
Give a girl a break...
Why aren't people allowed to speak here without always getting chewed up and spit out and told what a dumb u&^^%$$#@@*** they are? Ask some questions. Offer a similar experience. Hey person with head cut off, how might we support you, or did you just need to vent? I just had a few days of that, put me into a tailspin. I'm unfortunately not in a place to be able to ride with it. Lovely, nice company, however. It was temporary and my mind was put to ease. I just WISH I had the liberty to ride it; unfortunately, I just can't right now. So, problem solved for me, but I hear you loud and clear. I rather get tired of being married to this thing 20 hours/day. I'd scale tall buildings for these nice people, but mortgages are mortgages..hang in there. It really doesn't mean your're an ungrateful jerk if you fret over no income. Why do forums make people so cranky? I think I'm going to do a study on the sociology of the virtual community. It's interesting.
Not to beat the break thing
to death, but I just read the responses to my question about the lunch/breaks and think I might have been misunderstood.
It is line-based pay (not hourly). I don't expect to be paid for lunch (that is voided out like other jobs). We work the extra time to have the lunch so doesn't affect our line count
It just seems like if workers are legally supposed to have 2, 15-minute breaks during an 8 hour shift but line count is based on 8 hours, then it's sort of like we really don't get the breaks (like if in an hourly-wage job, people got pay deducted if they took their breaks).
Am I making any more sense wording it this way?
Yes, don't worry about signing in and out for every little break.
nm
to break labor laws?
x
Ever hear of taking a break?
nm
Yes, last week was not too hot. Spring Break sm
I have 4 accounts I can work on and I do about every day of the week, right now. We have new accounts coming in the near future too.
This is not permanent. I have changed my shift hours so I get a sort of a peak time of plenty of work on a couple of my accounts. I hope that change is not going to be permanent, but if it is, I am okay.
My STM says it was spring break in the Pacfic sm
Northwest, where lots of our accounts are located. I see today already work has significantly picked up on 3 of the 5 accts that I work on.
Just a fluke, I think.
Give me a break. I get so tired of
people saying you do crappy work, you can't work your schedule, etc. every time someone leaves a company, voluntarily or involuntarily.
I don't know what adds have to do with anything.
Unfortunately there are new grads out there desperate for a break and some may take it. :( nm
nm
puhleeze give US a break..
with your relentless rah-rahing! Sweety pie, work has been low at TT for months and months...not just now. Yes, you certainly are newer TT because you as an overhire are taking the work away from those of us who have been in there for the long haul! Secondly, it has always been my experience that doctors work wayyyyy over 40 hours a week, and someone else mentioned that this low/no work is due to the holiday...what the heck??? July 4 was LAST weekend, with it probably being observed in the work force on FRIDAY...so that is hogwash, absolute hogwash. When MTs who have been with this company for years say there is low/no work and it is a problem, THEY MEAN IT IS A PROBLEM, not just due to a holiday or low volume period...
I will agree with you on one thing, and that is things are not greener anywhere else right now, so that is probably why we are hanging on with our fingernails where we are at you dumb A. MT is slowly going down the toilet...but with many of us in all stages of life, choices may be limited as to profession change, and especially with the economy the way it it, so DO NOT be so quick to judge!!!  And don't bother spewing your venom on me, I won't answer.
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