I hear ya about being burned, cant be too careful. nm
Posted By: looking on 2008-08-21
In Reply to: Amphion, All Type or FutureNet anyone? - Abigail
xxx
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Lots of people have been burned by them..be careful, very careful. NM
xx
Burned out
Take a break, take some vacation time. It happens to all of us at one time or another.
I have a particular issue with this comment - Quality - HA! It is a tool used to keep MTs down mostly, even when it starts out as a tool to help MTs. You are not fooling anybody. This is about money, it is about QA making more money than the MT who is doing all the actual work...
This is not true. I do QA and I can assure you nothing I do is down to put anybody down. I feel that it is my responsibility to educate, not to put down. Yet many people like yourself do not take it like that. I can assure you I am not making the money MTs used to make. Honey, I used to make anywhere from $25-$28/hr typing back in the good ole days, do you think they pay QA anywhere close to that? MTs are still by far making more money. I cannot type now due to a physical condition. If not for that I would be typing just like everybody else. If you don't like where you are now, move on. These jobs are a dime a dozen, no sense in suffering. If you don't want to move, talk to your manager, your QA, or maybe even someone who can be a support to you. Calm down and see what you can do to make your life or your job better. We are all experiencing these changes together, you are not alone. If you don't mind me asking where are you now that is causing you so much stress? You don't have to answer here if you don't want to, send me an email.
Must be why we keep getting burned.:)
xxx
Just got burned and quit...
after many months of no pay. Not worth it!
I too got burned by this company
She owes me 2 paychecks also and that was 2 months ago...I know I'll never see that money :'( She is very unprofessional and yes she never returns any messages, unless she wants to tell you off, which she does quite often to a lot of people. That's okay that company is going down, she's already lost a major money making account and it won't be long, I'm sure, before she loses the rest of her accounts and then she'll get what she deserves and is coming to her!!!
No, I have not been burned. I have been with same company SM
for many years. Not MQ. I have every reason to believe all the excited TTs around here are recruiters. If you were MTs, you would be working away on your accounts. Also, strange that former TT people posting literally anything negative are promptly put down. If company is so great, why must you resort to that behavior?
I have never worked for TT and have nothing to do with it. I am just an observer and what I observe about Transtech posts is people saying exactly the same thing all the time. Robotic, if you will. No offense, please and, do not attack me, as I am not attacking your or TT, but of course you will take it as such.
No, not R. Just someone else who was burned by Focus.
There's a lot of us out there.
Re: Burned to a crisp
I dealt with it by GETTING OUT. It isn't going to get better, only worse. I started a business which I'm enjoying. An MT friend got out and took a job as photographer for a small newspaper. Life is short.......too short to waste being miserable.
burned to a crisp
I am completely with you. Been doing this for 30 years. Making $800 less a month than when I worked at the hospital and doctor's offices. Where do these MTs work that are making $50, 000/year?. I would really like to know.
Your 1st paragraph should be burned into
THIS PARAGRAPH SAYS IT ALL:
I also questioned line rates for a handful of MTSOs and flat out said too low of a rate for me. I have 20+ years of experience. They'd be getting my 100% effort and 100% knowledge, but only want to pay for about 50% of what that's worth.
In a nutshell, this is EXACTLY the problem with the MT field. We should all burn this paragraph into our brains, carve in into our desks, write it on our forearms in indelible ink.
The MTSO's should memorize this paragraph, as well. Maybe we should print it out in flowery Gothic script, and put in on their desks when we go for job interviews.
If you reward a worker with fair pay and decent treatment, they'll put out 110-120% in effort. Pay the worker only half of what they're worth, and that's all you're going to receive from them.
LOW WAGES BREED DISGRUNTLED CLOCK-WATCHERS AND CHEATERS!
Same thing here. Tired of 24/7. Burned out
and going back to QA.
If I am burned out, it is by this attitude inside...
I think MTs should actually take a professional attitude to heart. All of the message boards are full of the most hateful, catty, snotty, judgemental, whining people but they want to be recognized as professionals. We don't appear to be a professional group because we are not acting that way, speaking that way...
Then, We have to learn to adapt, change, and make ourselves necessary for the future. Doing the swollen chest/head routine won't get it. Complaining won't get it. Threatening to quit or unionize won't get it. Making a dedicated effort to be better at our work, difficult dictators and all, WILL get it.
That is belittling, to incorporate all MTs as complainers, whiners, unable to change or adapt.
Mostly I see QA whining and complaining about MTs -
I also do not care to be called burned-out because I have certain opinions...that is condenscending (Assuming a tone of superiority, or a patronizing attitude).
Where I work there are mostly (or used to be as they are now transitioning to the trends of utilizing QA to lower pay/benefits) awesome QA, who keep their comments to themselves and are 'professional.'
I have, however, been subject to comments over the years from people who appear sadistic when they approach MTs. Unfortunately, these more than outweigh the people who keep it business and to the point.
Constructive criticism? You bet I welcome it, and appreciate it, and learn from it, as do most MTs I believe. What is difficult is to get comments like above, and the general attitude than can infiltrate throughout a company that the MT is not professional or worthy.
The divide is wrong. QA should be no better than an MT, and my comments about MTs - bottom line, QA would not have jobs without us, period. What would you have to critique?
How easy it is to sit through and listen to an already typed report, and make corrections. That does not even take a lot of skill, if you ask me. Even re-reading my own reports I can find minor errors every time. That is why I try to quickly do a once-over before I send a report, if time allows and I am not pressed to get my lines or hours in so that I do not lose my benefits...
Maybe it is different where you work, and it used to be where I work, but it is quickly changing.
Another one burned by Four Seasons Transcription
I was a current employee of Robin Hall's that still hung on thinking and believing she would pay me. My paycheck was 5 weeks late when I finally said enough is enough. I told her I quit as of 02/01/08. Since that time she does not show online, does't answer her home phone, cell phone, or e-mail. This woman is a very very good con artist and apparently has been operating this way for a long time. I even called on her business number listed on her business webpage... guess what... that number has been disconnected with no forwarding number. I still have yet to be paid and she owes me over $800. The part I feel the worst about, I referred a friend to her shortly after I started. She owes my friend over $900 and can't get a hold of Robin either. I know there's probably not much I can do about what she did to me but I hate that fact that she will continue to cheat honest, hard working MT's. I've posted on just about every site I can think of from Guru (where she found me) to Freelance.com. If anyone can think of any other sites I'll post on them too. I can't stress enough, please before you accept a position IC or employee status with ANY company..... check them out in any way possible.
Becka
I've been burned so many times
I don't understand what is happening in the MT world today. I've worked as an IC for years, paid my own health insurance, paid my own taxes. I've chosen to work as an IC because I want the flexibility to decide my own schedule. It has always worked for me in the past. Today, however, that is not happening. Companies today who hire ICs as well as employee status are requiring that an IC commit to working a 5-day schedule, Tuesday through Saturday or Sunday through Thursday, specific shift hours, something without doubt beyond the limits of IRS guidelines. If I wanted a schedule such as mentioned, I would sign on as employee status. Let the employee status MTs commit to their shifts. If I make my 1000 or 1200 lines per day, the days I do it, the hours I do it are totally my decision, but I am receiving contracts that require me to work a schedule on a company's dictates, or I am turning down offers as IC status because in the interviewing process I am asked to commit to a schedule as mentioned when the entire purpose of my being an IC is flexibility. Why are they producing these contracts that are totally against IRS guidelines in order to work for them? Sure, they need to know what I will produce, but as an IC, they cannot dictate when and how I will do that.
TIA for your comments. I know I cannot be the only one who is scratching their heads, wondering why be an IC today if the IRS guidelines are ignored. Of course, I don't have to sign any contract, but I'm telling you, this is happening over and over again.
Then go with TT...you will be just as burned out at KS trying to get a decent check. (nm)
xxx
I too was pretty burned out. A couple sm
years ago my mom got very sick and I had to take time off to take care of her until she died. After that I didn't work for about 18 months, (I know everybody can't do that) and I found that when I did go back it was like starting fresh! So a long vacation away from MT (don't even go in your office during that time) probably will help tremendously.
Also I don't know of any other profession where I can have the freedom I have and make the hourly salary I do (even with wages being lower) so I choose to stay in MT. Have at least 10 more years to work anyway.
Good luck.
A good MT leaving with no burned bridges, will likely
x
Pretty funny. OSI gripers burned up the board with sm
their complaints. None of the posts match when you click into them.
Anyone that applied with Kathy Kirby hear anything yet? I am wondering how long it takes to hear a
response back
I said MAY NOT hear, didn't say you wouldn't hear. There is
a difference, and many people have said they knew they didn't do well on the tests, but still feel like they should have heard from companies and haven't.
Be careful
Be careful
All I can say is be careful...
You will get a great offer, good training and be happy as a lark ... until you're out on your own, no one from IT will respond to your inquiries about technical problems, and they'll train you on one account (one that gives you great line counts) and then presto-chango, you're typing every ESL doc they dug out from wherever it is they hatch them from and you'll make ZERO dollars. I think the problem here is, like a lot of others, the good dicatators are going through VR (you'll notice, Transcend has a TON of openings for VR editors), and we (the MTs) are getting stuck with the dopes who cannot talk. I'm giving some serious thought to switching to editing - I'd rather do that and do twice the work, than try to figure out what these jokers are saying. Anyway, I was making great money during training with Transcend, but am now LOSING money and trying to decide if I should look elsewhere.
Be careful, though
My training went exceptionally well and I was on cloud 9. Then - WHAM!!! They put me on the account I was hired for (of course, no one told me it was different than the one I trained on), and it is AWFUL. I made great money right after training, until this new account ... now I'm taking a loss. These dictators are AWFUL - so I hope for your sake, when your training is over, they don't do the same to you.
Be careful. (sm)
I don't know if they do this anymore, but I was hired at a gross line count and then they changed things after hiring. I did the math, and I came out as losing money. Many others were complaining of the same bait and switch at the time.
I also ran into the absolute rudest QA staff of my long career at JLG. It sounded like the owner was going to try to straighten them out at the time, but I didn't stick around to see whether she did.
I had the highest line rate at JLG that I've ever had (13 cents, can't remember if with or without spaces); however, the constant running out of work and being asked to take the day off!, constant switching around of accounts combined with the rudest QA ever made it absolutely not worth it. I've come to the point I realize that it's the entire package an MT has to look at. Others have paid less, but I've been happier.
I hope this helps. I know you asked for those with a happy experience, but I thought I'd give you an honest experience.
Be careful
Whether you can do it or not depends on what they hire you for. Look at the postings a few days ago where people talk about the one account with all the ESLs that people scream about.
Be careful with them
Good pay, but many many problems. 2 yrs with them & I can't take it any more.
Careful about A. They will tell you
that you are hired for tier 3, but then say they meant 2 or 1 and give you a much lower rate!!
Be very careful.
You're not supposed to be sending intercompany information anywhere. I would get it in writing first that your ISP isn't going to be tracked and your info handed over to Transcend so they can fire you. With all the info on this board about what they are doing, Transcend still has their weekly cattle calls on the job seekers' board, so it doesn't look like Transcend is going to lose anything.
Just be very careful.
Be careful
There are huge tax implications. Yes, you get to deduct for certain home-office expenses, but only under specific guidelines and there is a minimum amount that you must have spent out of pocket. If the company is paying you very, very well, then I'd say go for it. Under no circumstances should you take an IC/statutory emp. (where they pay no taxes) job at the same rate of pay as an employee. Please take the time to consult with a tax person before getting yourself in what could be a very expensive proposition. You won't be sorry.
And be careful.
It can mess up your Word program so that some of your commands won't work any more (if you use Word for anything else).
And be careful.
It can mess up your Word program so that some of your commands won't work any more (if you use Word for anything else).
Be careful
Depending the account you get you may spend more time with the demographics than it is worth and the line counts can be off if you copy/paste into regular Word and check them yourself, or even using a line counting program.
Be careful
Check the archives, where it is posted that they do not pay on time or do not pay at all, as well as some taking or having taken legal action against them.
Be Careful
I worked for them and made no money. When a QA position opened, I tested for it. They claimed I didn't pass. However, 2 years later, I am the QA director for another company. Hmmm. I think someone had a friend or relative that wanted the job too.
Be careful
This company makes a lot of promises they don't keep, their Editor is extremely difficult to work with, and their employee turnaround is awful. Watch yourself. I worked for them for two years and am SO glad to be done.
Be very careful...sm
They will tell you they pay for spaces but when you get your check (six weeks later) you will see you are not because the IType system they use does not count them. When you inquire you are lied to and told they are not sure what is up. They keep you on the hook but know all along they are not paying for spaces. Apparently, they have been doing this for several years. Do a search on this board. As well, still waiting for my last check and it's been several months. Won't respond to calls or e-mails. No work either most days.
wow, all I can say is be very very very careful ...
I can't emphasize it enough. Very bad reputation, but apparently the admins of this board were supposedly talking to him (owner) about not paying people and so forth and they have allowed him to post jobs again. But just be careful - there are quite a few companies out there that do not pay or will pay up to a certain point (i.e. when they are done using you) and you will never hear from them again.
Be careful!!!
They called me back for rehire and I have never heard a word. I quit because they never paid me on time. They promised me I would get paid on time, etc., but I have not heard a word from them. I would not be surprised if they are getting bought out by somebody else. I was supposed to have started back 3 weeks ago and still no word!!!!
be careful
D&L uses them for recruiting because they cannot recruit themselves due to bad publicity. I am sure there are others too. Same results as searching online for companies without the hassle of double testing or getting attached to a company you would never have gone to in the first place.
careful...
I just called a company and theirs is a 70 character line
I would be careful
I was actually hired by this company and their contract also states that they can lower your pay at any time and not pay for reports if they are not 100%. I was all ready and set to go ended up having emergency surgery. I called them and emailed them to let them know before I went to the hospital and then called when I was released stating that I could still do part-time and was very anxious to get started, but never heard anything again. I was very upset about this. The lady I spoke with told me how lucky they were to get someone with my experience and how I would quickly get raises, etc. Anyhow sorry about spelling errors, etc, have been up since 2:00 a.m. Tuesday morning. Good luck. If you take the job, please keep us updated:)
Be careful about.....
contacting the original client. I did that with another MTSO I had problems with and actually they sued me for damages and WON - wont do that again. Your best bet is to issue a formal letter demanding payment - not an email as that wont hold up in court and if she does not pay, then file small claims and use your contract as the evidence you need to prove your case.
Just my 2cw. :)
Careful...
I would ask to sample a tape before even agreeing to quote a price/take the job. Could be interesting; could be a real chore.
Then I'd charge by the minute of dictation based upon that test - $1.00+ per minute depending on the quality/difficulty of the conversations. This is going to be a hefty bill! 1800 minutes by my estimation... What's the turnaround requirement? I'll do it! :)
MQ QA ...be careful
xx
careful
This thread is starting to sound like the MQ board!
I would be very careful with MQ
In case you have not read the MQ board lately, 70% of controlling stock has been sold to CBay Holding Systems, an Indian company, that will probably/possibly begin offshoring work to their Indian transcription company. There is much debate over this, and I would caution you before giving up a good offer with another company.
As far as flexibility goes with MQ, it all depends on your supervisor. Mine was great. The pay was awful - no raise in 5 years. Not to mention, ASR/voice recognition cuts. See below.
MQ pays 70% (currently) of your base rate for voice recognition, which is pretty good in comparison to other companies. About 75% of my paycheck was ASR. If the other company is straight transcription, you will make out much better than ASR at MQ.
Be Careful
After reading what SS reportedly promised you about upping you to 9 cpl when removed from QA, that jumped out at me. If they were unethical enough to do as they did to the other MT, why would you be any different? Just something to think about.
I hope I'm wrong. Truthfully, I had no idea that this co. was uncool. I'm glad that names are being dropped so the rest of us will know intead of having to dig around and hope they get lucky re the proper info.
Hope you keep us posted.
careful what you wish for
Required degree.
Required hours.
Required employee.
Mandatory 99-100% accuracy.
and the inevitability of lots of oversight
be careful there
this is a strange company...went from court reporting to MT and don't really know what they are doing...they want only MTs that live in Michigan and they use templates and you don't get paid for lines you have to change, which you do a lot....count yourself lucky if you DON'T hear from them...been there and lost my butt
Be very careful, there are a lot of
scams out there that only want to get your personal information.
careful with this one
they are on the cutting edge of making things as cheap as they can for the client and screw the Transcriptionist at every possible opportunity....give it a try...but come back and let everyone know how it went...good luck! (sounds like technology is trying to do you a favor lol)
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