I think we DO need to "take sides" on this issue.
Posted By: -(sm)-Topaz on 2009-08-11
In Reply to: I am not assuming they are right - as I don't even know what the original post was
This lawsuit, or even the threat of one by an MTSO of an MT, is nothing more than an attempt at INTIMIDATION. It's the big companies' modus operandi these days: 'You're lucky to have a job, so accept that 3cpl and quit yer bellaching.' 'MTs can be sued for typos.' 'Say anything against us, even if it's true, and we'll sue your @$$es.'
MT has become an 'Us vs. Them' scenario, and regardless about how you may or may not feel about this one particular company is really beside the point. This is a large company that represents other large companies just like it, and when ANY company starts to throw its weight around in order to try to 'control' what MTs do, it affects all of us. We certainly wouldn't want them setting a precedent and this sort of thing becoming the norm, would we?
MTs need to stick together and support each other, even if there is some perceived risk in doing so. ESPECIALLY if there is risk. Because when a company acts in such a manner towards a current or former employee, it ultimately affects ALL of us.
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Your "take" is ill-informed
MDI has never sent work to India, never will. It is an AMERICAN company that respects its AMERICAN workers.
Oops, sorry - I changed my name back three or four times but it didn't "take" nm
.
Really? Because I see it on both sides
I see your point about some naysayers, but assuming the ones that are unhappy are job-hoppers and unhappy people isn't the nicest comment I've ever heard either.
I think this is really sad for several reasons. We're all at risk for our skill being replaced by VR and outsourcing, we ought to be supporting each other in ways we can make effective change by preventing that from happening as best we can and getting together and finding constructive solutions about proving that our value is just as important as expensive machinery or labor from foreign countries.
Many people are just realizing this,scared about the future, and trying to shop to find the best deal possible that's still out there, not realizing that they're all about the same at present, it's the state of affairs in the MT world.
If you want to stay with it and keep trying to find a way to beat VR and make a living still, that's cool, but it's okay to realize that some things are more tolerable on the job than others, and to each their own about what should be acceptable business practice. :)
Looking at both sides ..
I recruit and I see both sides of this story on a daily basis. We provide equipment and we pay very well and are employee status. I have people lie to me, hold equipment when they decide they are not interested in the job because they actually have to work, and have every excuse why then cannot work. On the other hand, I have dedicated, extraordinary people who go the extra mile, can actually figure out their own computer and how to turn it on and maintain their QA and really make my life a pleasure. I know that you cannot have it all .. but I will say this, if you are an MT who works for a company that can't get it together you might want to write to me and investigate working with our group. We are growing and have no intention of offshoring no matter what, have benefits available that are excellent and for employee reasonably price (family is terrible nearly everywhere though this actually covers you). I transcribe right along with people if need be and we genuinely care about the people who work with us. We are on dial up right now but will be going to our web-based system in September. We have more work than you can imagine and if you are willing to dial up with the rest of us for a fe months, then life will be good .. very good .. come the Fall. You must be willing to commit to your schedule and do your work .. sounds easier than it usually turns out to be I am sorry to say. Have a good holiday weekend.
There are two sides to every story. The MTs sm
that commented worked/works there. You do not. So I wouldn't put to much weight to what you say.
There are two sides to every story...
I have worked for Breitner for four years and have always been paid on time. I have never had a payroll issue with this company. Just so everyone knows...if this occurred, it does not occur across the board. Let's be fair.
Not taking sides
Actually I am in the same boat as everyone else. You have to work harder to make more money because this industry does not give raises. Our economy is hurting; however, I would NOT want live in India or any other country that is being sent work because their economy is obviously worse.
Also OFFSHORING is when transcription is sent to other countries. Outsourcing is what hospitals to when they send their transcription to companies rather than being done in house.
Lots of industries are offshoring. I just sit here in my peaceful living room and decide how much money I want to earn today and determine how hard I want to work. Some days I don't want to do it at all. Other days I am grateful I don't have to go wait tables or tend bar for a second job. As much as people complain about this industry, I can't think of anything else I would want to do to make extra money.
not taking sides but...
I completely understand what you mean about the pay...it is quite a long time to wait for a full paycheck.
But...you really should have read your contract BEFORE signing it so you only have yourself to blame for that aspect.
Two sides to the coin
I have worked for Phoenix for two years on both their Emdat platform and a Lanier account. I am delighted with both though I will admit the Emdat was awkward to set up with expanders/autocorrect.
Nevertheless, the folks are a joy to work for, keep in touch enough to feel in the loop, and answer e-mails promptly. Pay is fair, work is steady. Couldn't ask for more.
I understand both sides of the argument...
But I believe that a lot of the posts are from management. They really should not disguise themselves as MTs and try to trick people. Just let the truth be what it is, and if you do not like the truth, then do something at your company to change it. All the effort that is being put into posting on this forum by management from various companies should be put into different programs, incentives, or maybe just a nice word or two to their transcriptionists to try and make the companies better. I value this forum and believe that MTs need a place to communicate these things to one another to possibly prevent someone else from going through a bad situation. I do believe that some MTs do need to let it go sometimes, but when you know that it is management posting to try and prove you are wrong, that just makes you more determined to prove you are right. Just my opinion so don't jump all over me.
I love it there.. two sides to each coin.
My team is really great. I was so thankful for the nice card, handwritten, and also an unexpected gift card.
I never overreact. I thoughtfully consider all sides. However,
the tone of your continued arrogant, hostile, and rage-filled posts only points out that you are the OP masquerading as management in a fury about an email sent out which by no means can be construed as breeching any matter of confidentiality. Your threats were laughable as witnessed by the counterposts.
You would do us all a favor now if you would go take your medication. Dosages should never be skipped. You should know that if you are an MT.
I don't know. Still trying to figure you out. You seem to be so ugly and hateful. I bet your mama had to tie pork chops to your ears so the dog would play with you.
Agree with both sides to an extent...
I worked as an IC for years before going to work for a hospital and then am now at an MTSO for the majority of my work. I also have had my own conract on the side for over 5 years. They call maybe 1-2 times a week for a missing document. When gas starting becoming outrageous early this year, I started charging them a courier fee since I still pick up tapes and print out documents. They have no complaints and I have no complaints. Seems like a win-win for both of us....and I make great money for 8-10 hours a week of their work since he has gotten to be so easy to do. So, for extra money, this is DEFINITELY the way to go. I know a friend who started her own MTSO and it is a pain marketing/invoicing and doing administrative work and has heck of a time finding and keeping quality subcontractors. If I oould find another client like THIS one, I'd be working 20 hours a week and making full-time money!
Well, then I come to this board to get both sides of the story
and I appreciate hearing your experience. The best thing for me to do is be aware of this, keep working at my old IC job, and try this one out. If I see what you are saying, then it simply will not work out for me. What I have to decide about though is do I need the stress of even trying. It has been a bad year in transcription and I am not in the mood for many more of these types of games. Simply put. So do appreciate your feedback and I probably should have just stuck with the IC I have and increase the work load. Now I have to go through this trying out a job again, and ugggg, what a pain in the neck!
There are 2 sides to every story. If you were a good employee, sm
if you called the office and told them that you had a medical emergency, there is no way on this green earth that they would lock you out of your account for that reason. Absurd. I've had to leave work due to illness. That's part of life. TransHealth is extremely accommodating.
There is more to the OP's story than meets the eye.
I have worked on both sides, Merit and dictaphone.
I think the Dictaphone is better but the account I had you could not view old reports. You could open up another text client and view them that way, but opening up 2 word documents of any kind messed things up and I had to get out of everything and start over.
As far as the dictators, I had an easy-dictator account with both Merit and Dictaphone and yes, there was more than enough work to do on the Dictaphone side but the Merit account ran out quite a bit. I had encountered 3 different team leads during my stay tere and all were as nice as they could be.
Interesting posts. It is good to hear both sides
I can understand the employees who want everything and give very little back. Very frustrating.
But then you have the situation described for the employee where there is no job satisfaction, no family/personal life allowed or frowned upon by management and no chance for promotion. And then being compared to an Indian who has a completely different social environment.
I know mothers who are IC and while they do take time off during the day for their kids (how dare they make dinner for those kids and hubby) but then they work long into the night after kids and hubby have gone to bed. There are no weekends with their family either. And the work reward is the pay will be lowered because the client wants to pay a lower rate. It is not exactly incentive to work hard without any breaks and ignore the family in favor of what the company needs.
I remember years ago working for a start up company and the manager did not want the single girls to date at night and instead work late. She thought they should be devoting their time to their career in transcription. Well a Transcriptionist could do that but whether she worked harder or not the pay would be the same and she would always be a transcriptionist. The manager on the other hand if the company did well would receive promotions and raises I am sure. So that is the difference....management perks vs worker bee perks. It was easy for her to give up a social and personal life because the rewards but the transcriptionist typing straight for hours and hours would see the same pay day in day out, no advancement or recognition for working harder other than not having a manager angry.
However after reading that post I will be aware and really give it my all. I do understand the need for a better work ethic. I see what the management wants and needs. Especially when managers are spending Thanksgiving with their families and the transcriptionist is working for 7 cpl with no break. It is the American way of doing business. 
Remember..."There are 2 sides to every story" and "you can't believe everything you read
x
That is so odd to me. I have never had an issue
making the line count and there has always been an overabundance of work since I've been there and they even ask regularly for us to work more if possible because there's so much work, and I don't work on C-phone accounts at all.
she had an issue with ...sm
anyone who had a brain because she was intimidated by truth and intelligence. She is driving that company into the ground. I feel bad for the blind eyes of the owner. That was a great company in its day, now all I see is a company that is going to sell or go belly up.
Do you have some issue?
Or do you just like to jab at anybody who has something positive to say?
I don't get it.
If I may, what is the issue
with the pay? Are they not standard paydays?
I think the issue is
that what started as a simple inquiry as to whether or not other people were also out of work quickly turned to bashing the company and personal bashing of management personnel. From what I gathered, half of the people doing the bashing were never employees. I honestly feel for the OP as I went 4 months making $25 a week if I was lucky at the end of my time with MQ (that was the longest holiday slow down in history). However, I have not had the same experience at MDI and actually am lucky enough to have an abundance of work at the moment. I don't know how Carlotta found out about the comments on here, nor do I care. I would imagine that since it is a public forum she may have run across it herself without an MT blabbing. I believe Carlotta's response was generally saying the issues/slamming in the subsequent posts were things that should be discussed with her, the liasons, and/or Dorothy.
QA issue
I went full through full QA and was released with above 99%. Additionally, I asked my QA for help regularly for help on some difficult dictators (for the future) and she always commented how throrough I was.
That was before the company changed hands, however, and all QA personnel changed.
pay issue
My pay has actually went up, not because of the VR necessarily, but because of DH getting laid off, and the need to work harder, not just meet line requirements (which was my goal prior to lay off). That is the reason I worked so hard at learning VR. I didn't want to starve (starvation is great motivator) 
Well, I'm sure you'll get over your issue with me
and you should stop adding the fuel, I think you are enjoying yourself 
don't fret over the OT issue yet
You may find that OT is offered (and sometimes begged for) more often than you think. If you keep a good line of open communication going with your PS, then I really don't think you'll be as bad off as you are projecting.
Something else, too, is that it's always good if you need >40 hours to have a part time company to supplement.
This is not an EXText issue (SM)
It is a company issue. Not all companies that use EXText deduct 30% of your line count. There are several companies that use EXText. Don't get in a panic! Find out what the company's policy is on headers and footers, what they pay for, what they don't etc.
Yes, I contacted HR, this is not an issue
with my paperwork. It is that they have not sent my contributions to MetLife - not one cent all year, and I am having 10% withheld. That is a lot of money the company has been using. Almost seems like stealing, doesn't it?
I don't think the comma is the issue.
Looking at other people's work is a violation and perhaps, just perhaps, the attitude is more the problem that was being brought up. I QA all day as well and I am appalled at the lack of care taken with records and have to agree with the MTSO above. To do this dance properly, you have to understand the steps. I live in fear of becoming ill and ever having the opportunity to see my chart and read what it contains. I will take 1,000 lines of good clean work over 2,00 lines per day of typing for dollars transcription any day. I do not think that you should be made to feel like you do not know anything .. but I do think that there is a responsibility to point out errors and expect compliance.
The quality only became an issue when
the offshoring began. I don't understand why they wouldn't QA 100% of the work knowing there were quality issues.
I know we're not the only MTs to go through this, but many of us have a long history with QT and unless you've been on the inside you don't truly understand all the emotions we're going through. I feel like my best friend has just stabbed me in the back.
Your attitude is exactly what I have an issue with...
Healthcare should be about humanity, in my opinion. It should not be a business.
The only thing QA is for, is a place to go in between management for MTs to make more money.
You are making the salaries MTs used to make.
If I am burned out, it is from your kind of attitude that it is happening everywhere and we just have to deal with it.
I know better, I know I am a worthwhile human being and not just a grunt for some corporation who makes millions off my hard work, and then expects me (as you echo) to just shut up and type, and be ever so thankful I have a job.
You sound burned out to me. You sound like you do not care a bit about humanity or people. You are only interested in yourself, and you found a way to make more money rather than just do MT.
Some day the trend will change, and people will matter again. Your little digs to me do not bother me. It only shows your character.
Speed is a big issue
10 cpl is more than I make, but I'm pretty fast. My base rate is 7.5 to 8 cpl depending on which of my 2 accounts I'm on, but since I do enough lines daily to qualify for bonus, I acutally make 9 to 9.5 cpl per line. I average about 1500 lines per day. Production is what drives pay, so that's why I'm making what I do. I think it's unfortunate that years of experience isn't really compensated in this business, but years of experience doesn't always equal what the employer wants, which is speed and low error rate. Everyone brings a different set of skills to the job. In the end it's what you produce and not how many years you have behind you that the employer cares about. Fair or not, that's the nature of this business.
What do you mean by a spacing issue? (sm)
Why would you use the ShortHand for your normals? It is so very slow playing out, wouldn't you be better off to use the built-in ESP? I have Shorthand in my computer, but am gradually changing everything over to ESP and it has helped my count greatly. You can put your normals in the ESP (at least on my account you can) and it is so much faster than the SH. 
and I'm not saying this is your issue, but I know personally
my company will make things not so nice for an MT hoping they'll quit rather than firing them. If quality continues to be poor, not meeting TAT, etc., then there may not be enough work, only the horrible dictators, etc. If things are slow and you are a new hire maybe the old-timers are getting the work. If a new account went VR that might also explain the work load too. If you are otherwise happy at KS I'd call and be firm in that you need more work.
I feel like companies should offer some explanation if work is low. I know they can't give you what they don't have, but if you are a FT MT, there is a reason you are and you have obligations to meet and it isn't fair that they can't provide the work you need and not give you some feedback.
lol It's a punctuation issue!
MTs ... plural ...more than one
MT's ... possessive ... something belonging to one MT
MTs' ... plural possessive ... something belonging to more than one MT
You're too funny with your holier than thou crap! LOL
They really need to address this issue because
they will find all the good MTs bailing out. This has gone on long enough, they enabled ctrl I, but that is not the real issue. If they want to keep us, they better come straight. I think many are on the verge of leaving, I know that goes for me and I've been with them well before they signed on all these new accounts.
About this demographics issue...
I don't understand...there's one number we must fill in on the DI, unless the MRN doesn't pull up the patient name, which is rare. It takes all of 2 seconds to put in the visit number, so to complain about that is just ridiculous. AND, we are VERY lucky to have so much work,while other companies can't even provide enough to keep their MTs making the minimum required lines...I, for one, Love Amphion...going on 2 years with them and am very happy. But hey, if there is a mass exodus, just means more work for me...and I only work 7 hours a day, make well above the minimum requirements...maybe you all just can't handle the perfection that it takes to be an Amphion employee...
I just put in my 0.002 cents in on this issue myself.
I think companies that say stuff like this are, well, I can't say the word but it's a banned one for sure. HELLO out there...We are paid on PRODUCTION. No one knows more than us that if we don't make lines, we don't get paid well...of course we all know that they will remind us if for some reason we fall below their predetermined robotic production requirement.
This whole 1/2 hour unpaid for lunch is absolutely infurating to me for some reason which I have yet to figure out. I can feel my neck veins throbbing even now just thinking about it because the joint where I work pulls the same crapola, and yes it is crapola.
Man, I so do feel a career change looming.
I was able to help someone I know with the Meditech issue because
their manager did not answer the question. I knew how because I worked with KS briefly. I really loved the idea of the work I was assigned, the docs were good and I was about to learn another hospital, even my schedule was really awesome. But, nobody would get back to me on questions, even how to get line counts, etc. and I felt left out. I did not come on here, but I figured stuff out myself, which by the way cost my line count, but once I learned I could do the work. In the end I gave up and left because I did not feel valued. I thought of trying again when they are not so busy, and I have seen other people have wanted to or tried to go back; but in the end I guess I learned my lesson. If proper training up front is not given and e mails are neglected it is not the kind of place I personally feel comfortable working. How hard is it to set up check points in a training system and giving the basic information before someone goes on line. All it takes is some organization and TLC and the MT is on their way happy for the duration. And that is the job of management, to make sure these things take place. Oh well just MHO.
Slowness issue still there for me
Some accounts must be affected differently than others, because its as slow or a little worse for me lately. I guess as long as someone is willing to say the problem is fixed they'll never really fix it.
Issue resolved here, too!!
Issue resolved here, too as of 2:30 p.m. I really never had any doubts to begin with as pay has never been late.
They are the most professional group of people I have ever worked with in 20+ years.
It really irritates me that people have to come to a public forum and tell ALL to people who really have nothing to do with the issue. If you have issues, go to management. Maybe it's the people who have to run their mouths (fingers) to every MT in the country that haven't gotten their checks yet.
Boy, things sure do come back to bite sometimes, don't they?
Does anyone else have the same issue as my friend?
I have a friend, also an MT, who is a supervisor. There is one MT who, every time you turn around, is playing the kids card to get out of working her share. My kids are sick, I have to take my kids to soccer practice, I'm taking off a day to be with my kids, I'm going Christmas shopping with my kids, etc. The list goes on and on, at least 20 days this past year. She keeps on asking me Should I terminate this MT? I would have done that long ago, but she's too nice for her own good. What do you all think? Have any of you had a co-worker who played the Kids Card all the time?
Platform or other issue
Wondering, too, if it would really be the platform or maybe RAM or connection issue. It's hard to believe a software company would test and not fix a software that was so slow. Plus you would think the MTSO would test it out and not buy something that would be such a problem.
Get used to it. Communication has always been an issue. Also....
be forewarned that one of the bigwig frequents this board. Not that you care, but they will figure out who is saying what. Overall, when I worked there, I liked it but hated the communication issue.
I always force the issue and ask what their pay is....
although I don't apply to IC-only companies - I never like their offer, and know the IRS rules to the nth degree. However, I do think one should have an idea of the range of pay before proceeding with any further testing - saves me and the recruiter time, IMO!
hughesnet issue
I know your problem. I just moved from the Oregon Coast and had Hughesnet. The only company that I know of is Oracle Transcription, Inc. I am not sure if they are hiring though; work has been slow. Good luck!
That is NOT the issue at Webmedx. NOT AT ALL.
You must not work there.
Here's how I see IC issue with Transcend
Here is my opinion. I feel that we will all have to become employees in Jan. From what I remember in meeting, Jan 1 date was mentioned, and it seemed to me evasive when asked if we could stay IC. I do remember them saying if you wanted to be employee now you could do that now. Well, I wonder then if we are going to have a choice, and if we could do it now, why then would there be a Jan 1 date at all? Do you see what I mean? Jan 1 for what? Wouldn't you think that if one wanted to be employee, they'd do it now. So, that's why I think we will not be offered IC.
MDI merge issue
Has anyone from MDI quit without giving any notice, since the merge announcement? I'm not sure if I should give notice or just quit right away and start new job. Thanks
Overhiring is the other issue
Many of us have no work NOW, and can't pay our bills NOW. What will it be like when we're all even faster and getting paid even less? We've been losing accounts as fast as we can recruit new ones.
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