Is anyone else ready to throw in the towel on transcription?
Posted By: sm on 2009-04-02
In Reply to:
After years of doing this work, and actually loving it; to now looking for another job with a US based company with a fair wage and hopefully not another sinking ship, is there anyone else that would JUMP at a good paying job outside transcription? A job that you know wouldn't be offshored somewhere else or pay less and less as time/experience goes by?
I have always believed if you worked hard, hard work would pay off. I need some hope here . . . 
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I'm also ready to throw in the towel
and am counting the days (a little over two years) until I can retire. I work for a splendid company, but the industry in general is headed for the sewer.
I'm about to throw in the towel
I can't pay the bills this way and it's been like this for well over a month. I'm beginning to seriously wonder if they have lost some accounts.
It's a wonderful place to work, but if there's no work to be done my creditors aren't really going to give a flying flip how nice they are.
*sigh*
I'ts time to throw in the towel
Most of us have had good careers before choosing to work from home but the MTSO's don't bother to see us as individuals and instead dish out the same garbage to a 20-year veteran as they do to a 20-day newbie. I'm sick of the abuse and pay scale that is less than 20 years ago. Let them pay a newbie 7 cpl or send it to India. I don't care anymore. I'm going to start looking earnestly for a real job where I can be appreciated for who I am and will probably double my income overnight. If enough of us remember our own value maybe it will send a message to these greedy people on the other end of the obnoxious emails and instant messages.
Throw-in-the-Towel attitude! I am way past my
bedtime, but this was so worth it to read tonight. Just stumbled on this thread by accident. Again, I have made a huge leap of faith by leaving my company, and due to these very issues, and you have all made me feel so validated! I am so glad that you are all out here! And, yes, we all can make a difference. The tides are shifting. Right now I would compare it to a slack tide on the ocean - the time in between tides on the ocean, not high tide and not low tide - that time when the waters are totally still and just sort of waiting - waiting for the tide to shift again. Does that make sense? I really feel that our work leaving our country has been like an ebb tide, leaving us. Now, though, I can feel a change coming. I know that the clients are dissatisfied and restless. With this huge focus in our industry on this international/offshore issue, MT and client alike is becoming aware, and I know that clients are moving around, too. It is happening, and it will gain momentum. I know it. Truly, it is quality in the end, in that our international partners cannot compare with our quality document. I have seen enough personally for years to truly believe this. In India, for example, they have 3 or 4 levels of MTs, and each document does go thru all these levels. I think the women at home who transcribe make 1 or 2 cpl, then there is at least one other MT in the centre who has to then edit that document, and I think they make 2 cpl, and then it goes to either a 3rd editor, or straight to Indian QA in the centre. They make the most at 3 to 4 cpl. Often, the final document still has to come to the US QA, but even if it doesn't, you still have several MTs in the process, at 1 to 2 cpl each, and the final document is often useless. The cheap labor and profit margin is just not what everyone expected, me thinks. We just have to get the clients to READ the reports they are paying for. So, the accounts are slowly moving, the professional US MTs are moving, and we will all merge again. The swill can find its way and merge as well. But we can prevail. We will win over time, and I've got a lot of time left to try.
Advice from an MTSO. You will not be ready until you think you are ready and it takes more than MT
One of the most important things a service owner can have is confidence. You have to have confidence in yourself before anyone else can.
Transcription is only about 50% of what you need to know. Set yourself up right from the beginning. Pick a name, incorporate, open a checking account.
Then put the basics in place down to the littlest detail. Pick your colors, your logo, your motto.
Put together a business plan. A formal one. It will help define where you want to go and will add to the professional image you want to portray. Register with the state and your city or county.
Take a small business class at a community college - that is a HUGE help.
The other 50% is accounting, business management, HR, marketing, sales and legalities.
It sounds like a lot but it will pay off.
And be prepared ... as you succeed, there will be a lot of people that will try to talk you out of it but you need to be strong and realize that they did not do it so they have no idea. Get some thick skin.
I used to post a lot on here, and learned the hard way not to. This is the first time in a long time that I have come over here, but your post caught my eye. I do not post anymore, but my company has a lot of posts about it and you have to learn to put blinders on it and ignore the bashers. Hard to do but trust me, very necessary.
Anonymous MTSO, although some will figure out who I am !
towel
Newspaper showed picture of former resident waving it from the Space Needle. Most of my family lives in Seattle, as I used to, but also from area showing the terrible towel. If you want to see picture of it Steelers, it is at www.heraldstandard.com front page now.
terrible towel
The terrible towel has now been waved at the Space Needle.
Yes, I have thrown in the towel already - sm
Been an MT for nearly 11 years. Though I love the work and am good at it, I cannot stomach the fact that I make a little less every year due to no pay increases and threats of even reduced line rates for the same amount of work. What other career do you know where the pay actually goes down every year due to no cost of living increases? Time for some change for me. 
Throw out your opinions on my new job...sm
Some of you may have read the post from yesterday about just being hired but a little nervous now. Was supposed to start Sun. evening but Acct. Mgrs. & I.T. people are unreliable and don't have it together. So far they are all Indian, even tho they are all working in MA (they wouldn't lie I assume?) meaning I have a hard time communicating to begin with. Several e-mails w/no response, several times been told I'll be getting my User ID. Now its Weds. and it should have been sent to me by noon AGAIN (right about now). Many other disorganized, confusing factors on their part as well but I'll withhold the boring details. Would you stick it out? I do understand from some of you that it can often be hairy getting set up and going but I would assume the professional thing to do on any company's part is keep you informed and have a consistent contact and keep you up to date on the plan. These people say this, send something different, no reply when I'm supposed to have it....is this usually an indication of the things I'll deal with during employment there as well? I think I'm subconsciously looking for someone to say Get the heck out and drop 'em because I just have bad vibes now. Let's hear what you've got....thx :)
throw Precyse in the list
x
I didn't say they offshore. They say they don't, but they throw
it up to us all the time that if we fall out of TAT we may have to look at India. With the holidays coming up too many people are wanting off and they may have to look to India. I don't like threats.
Why would they throw her resume in the trash if
She says they promised to call. With this being basically a virtual profession (not local) that's as bad as the hiring party being absent for the interview...... It looks like Keystrokes likes mean people who say mean things to other people on message boards. If you are the type they hire, then you can have it!! I'm not the OP either, but I think you have a crabby attitude. The OP has the right attitude in that she is holding someone accountable for their promise. It is kind of funny how their dirty laundry is on this board and how posters have no problem broadcasting the fact that the HR person was overwhelmed. Hello? Red flag????? I'd say so for sure...... 
I can think of more volatile things to throw at them
nmsg
Throw a VR back into the pool?
My company has stated if this were the case, you could be terminated. I do not like to straight type anymore so definitely would not want to throw away a VR report.
Do their last names begin with P and M. I think they should throw them out before everyone quits.
:
Again, you are not ready
...If you have to ask if there is a contract to type up. If you have been an MT for ten years, you've had to sign a contract with an MTSO. It should be common sense that you would do a contract if you have your own account. Even though the client can break it at any time.
MTs don't mind helping MTs. I think if you seemed a little more knowledgeable you would be getting a better response.
You may want to do some research first. You are not asking the right questions. You don't strike me as someone who has been in this business for ten years.
Get Ready
that is way too high - and is why you are being replaced bu Indians.
You probably won't know until they are ready for you to.
Yes, I'm about ready if
If like you said, I knew I could have a good job out of the house, I would take it. I'm tired of being treated like a first grader by MT companies who think they are all that.
I work like a dog, and I'm very honest but I have people micromanaging me and telling me to make sure I'm not late... they are crazy. I overwork if anything. Egos.
I'm getting ready to start sm
with a company that uses this platform and am curious as to how it works as well. I'm wondering if there is a built-in line counter.
get ready to tell your thumb
that it's going to work for free. Phoenix Medcom doesn't pay for spaces.
Get ready to be clocked in....
I would think it is tough to go from IC (flexibility) to working a strict shift. This is just my opinion. The other problem with working for that hospital is that at any given time they could outsource the work. I'd be very careful if I were you especially if you are an IC with your very own clients that you service yourself and not through an MTSO, which is actually subcontracting.
Even though you are hourly, I'm sure they'll want some sort of production out of you, and this as well can be stressful in a new environment.
It's tough, but if I were you, I'd stay IC.
Most are ready for editing though, sm
Much more work flow these days now that they added additional work types. Easy to make good money. I like it.
Only if you're PT ready to go FT
For 1/4 of a cent raise.
Yes, I'm ready to give up the PT MT I do
because this 3 cpl VR crap is for the birds! I already gave up FT MT after 20+ years and that was a WONDERFUL decision for me.
Ready to scream!!
I need to vent!! There is a certain co-worker who lurks, hovers, and then pounces whenever she sees good jobs coming up. She waits until I am tied up with another job and then swoops in like a sniper and grabs them. She does this over and over! It is becoming so disgusting. 
getting ready to test with Amphion
anyone take the test recently? How was it?
ITA with poster below. You aren't ready to go
after your own accounts. You need to do some research, to be more confident. The questions you are asking indicate you haven't a clue and that isn't a good place to start. I don't know what your life experience is, or your experience as an MT, but you need a bit more experience under your belt to be able to get and keep your own accounts.
I am getting ready to apply with Diskriter.
Do they offer a good rate of pay? Did you get an offer from Diskriter or one of their hospitals?
I was ready to sign the contract. (nm)
.
I know 2 people who are getting documents ready
One of them recorded a conversation where they called and ask her to work and also has email's requesting work on her off day's.
Ready to quit Spheris
I have had it with Spheris. So, I am now looking for another company. With the lack of benefits and reduction in pay I can no longer work there. I will be looking for something better. At this point, I do not know how much more of this I can take.
Ready to Quit Spheris
You have my sympathy. Just make sure you have something else lined up before you quit. I worked Spheris and another company at the same time just to make sure I was not jumping into the fire. We are in recession right now, which makes it an employer's market whether we like it or not. The way MTs are being treated is upsetting to everyone.
I was just getting ready to post the same theory
I can imagine that some PSs don't appreciate it when recruiters hire unqualified MTs for a particular position. I'm not saying the OP was unqualified, but if a recruiter has a history of not hiring within job requirements, thereby putting a huge load on the PS, I can see how the PS might not be a happy camper. It's definitely not right of her to take it out on the MT, but that might at least be the reason for such irrational behavior?
she pays when she gets good and ready to!
She does not pay when the client pays her even though that is what the contract says. If you want to get paid on time, I would not recommend this company at all.
I'm about ready to quit my job getting paid...
Once a month and you know what? They can't even do that! I have not had a check for 5 weeks and when I asked where it is they said it has not even been sent yet!
Bet you're wondering why right? Well so was I so I asked (politely of course), and my response.
The swine flu is slowing the post office down
WHAT!!!!
I ask myself that too but I was just ready to have a simple account sm
with a repetitive dictator daily where I could make more money using templates and macros with all the repetitiveness. I know I can make more money in the long run that way and that is what it sounded like to me so I guess I was desperately looking for a way to make more money for less time spent.
Also, the pay was only 0.06 gross line or they call it physical line.
As much as I like to work at home, I'm ready to
nm
Is your MTSO ready for Windows 7 when it comes
nm
I am getting ready to buy my own equipment and am wondering for those that use their own equuipment
did you have any problems downloading DQS at all on your own equipment.
It lasted a little longer for me, but I'm ready to move on. -sm
Nice people. You really do feel appreciated for a while, but then I don't know if they think the average lifespan of an MT with any company is that short-lived or what, but they started giving my primary away to others, secondaries I would never get the same dictator twice unless it was a work type I hate and told them I hate, then I'd get them regularly. I don't get it. Feedback and evaluations are not in their vocabulary after you're out of probation. I think it's time to move on.
I find this interesting. I am getting ready to be in the same position. sm
I have only worked from home as an IC but have recently accepted a position, because of health insurance and benefits, as an employee. My thoughts are running scared because I, too, am afraid of the set schedule that I must work. But working as an employee is supposed to be giving me assurity of steady workflow which my old company almost took me to the poor house! I am like you, would give it a month and then compare. Then be tempted to stay with my old job because of it was like a good worn shoe to me. But I liked what the other poster said about give it 3-6 months. Makes sense. And maybe I won't be so hasty.
I hope you make it with the employee position because, even though I don't personally know your circumstance, I know that employee with benefits is much, much more beneficial than just an IC. Good luck!!!!
I'm not ready to leave yet, so will remain anon sm
but I did want to just say that not any one company is all that for everyone. I personally know at least three people who have not had a good experience with this company, one of which is me. I choose to remain anonymous because I am still working there for personal reasons but will be making a change here in a couple of months. I thought they were wonderful at the beginning too but things have soured for many different reasons. I don't say this to argue with anyone but just to say that this company is not for everyone and not everyone who works for this company is the greatest.
Finally ready to apply with Transtech
NM
Well I hope they are ready for a mass exoduos over this
not sure why they think people will hang around not getting paid.
Don't know, maybe they're getting ready to go live on a new account?
x
They are just getting ready to change plans and the rates are much lower than that.
I would do my homework first before making those statements. That may have been what it was in the past, but not now. Much less.
Get ready for the 'FBI type' background check
I refused to complete all of that paperwork and be subjected to such an extensive background check so I can work in my 'home office'. I don't have any negatives, but thought this was rediculous, especially since I would be working from home. I think companies should focus on making sure the patients information is private.
I understand the premise of doing a simple background check, but they do a much more than that. Good luck.
I wouldnt go there. No communication. People getting ready to quit
Unless, your desperate for a job, I'd stay away. You can do better with a honest company who treats their MTs fairly. JMO. I currently know of three people who are quitting and it wont be long I am sure before others follow suit.
OSI true to form: I am ready to quit on the spot
I just got my latest paycheck from OSi and did not get paid the extra 5 cpl holiday pay. The reason??? With their ridiculous new holiday policy my primary and secondary accounts were out of work, did not have enough work to give me the 1000 minimum line count so therefore I did not get the extra pay for the lines that I did type. I was required to be stuck at my PC all day and constantly got instant messages from client support to make sure I was there. This is just sooooooooooo wrong. I am so fighting mad and feel like quitting right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I need some help ASAP. Does anybody please know where I could get hired at another company pretty quickly? I almost don't care where it is because I am desperate. This is the last straw with OSI and I have had enough. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Get ready to lose that backup account when there is no work on it....
They are doing more hiring and they always overhire...
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