Not afraid - just prefer straightforward
Posted By: Wondrnthru on 2007-02-15
In Reply to:
It's great that this company has given you so much and that you feel such a strong allegiance to the COO. My point was that the name and their website are misleading.
Work ethics, offshoring, fear aside, all I stated was that if they're not American owned, they shouldn't give the impression they are. A high-caliber company, regardless of location, should be able to attract high-caliber MTs without subterfuge.
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I prefer to be off a day during the week so I prefer a Tues-Sat schedule. nm
nm
Fast Chart is straightforward. sm
Though the pay starts at 6 cpl, you will soon be making more, and probably as much as you WANT! I have worked with Fast Chart for 7 years. First heard about them on MT Daily, too, back in 1999. Their platform is EASY.... not horrible as someone stated, and no learning curve whatsoever. With the Word-based platform, you can make your own macros and fly through the work. The staff is very nice, personable people, and always there to help if you need it. They treat you like a person, not a typing machine, and no hounding emails, no hounding phone calls, they leave you alone to do your work. Also and importantly, they DO NOT OUTSOURCE. I hope this helps, and NO, I am not being paid to say these things... just the truth. 
It's pretty straightforward, simple, not
a lot of messing around, MT-friendly. Good luck!
I like Meditech. It is straightforward and easy to use. I know that it gets a lot sm
of bad press here, but thought I would post that I really do like it.
Why? What are they afraid of?
If you or any other MT is afraid to
...mention it, then you have a problem. I've been down this road before. Most of the time the supe doesn't know and/or care what's going on. I would bring it to her attention. If things don't change.....look elsewhere. There's too many companies out there to put up with continuous crap like that. This cherry picking and playing favorites is for the birds. Good Luck!
Yep, I was afraid of that. :( nm
xxx
Prefer MT
I've done both, but prefer transcribing. Can earn more and go faster. QA was fine, but pay was sooooo low.
Definitely prefer QA over MT.
I actually make more doing QA but I guess I am lucky to be paid a pretty high hourly rate compared to what others say they make doing QA(shocked!). I began to really hate transcribing after many years as it became very boring and eventually not challenging enough for me. Plus my arms ached all the time. Everyone is different though, of course.
Prefer QA to MT (sm)
I make a lot more doing QA then MT. Very satisfied with my hourly rate and honestly enjoy my job!
This is exactly why I much prefer being--sm
an IC. Sure, some of these companies sound all wonderful with their benefits and all, but I guess I just do not trust very much, and shy away from accepting any benefit package with a company I cannot see or be physically involved in. The MTSO that I work for recently merged with another company who offered employee status with benefits. It all sounded really good, but when asked specifics about some of the benefits, I received quite vague answers. The one thing that spooked me was when they sent a letter explaining employee benefits and it stated *if you choose to become an employee, your rate of pay may change (but it did not specify to what)*. and also regarding their insurance benefits, it mentioned that $400 would be deducted from employee's pay every pay period, for single coverage!!! I have checked into getting my own individual coverage and I felt that $180 a month was too much to pay, so for a $400 pay cut every two weeks, wow! I decided to remain an IC. That way, I take care of my own taxes. I know exactly what is being paid into my SS every year, because it is ME that is paying it. And, if I choose to have a retirement fund, at least I know any money I put into it is actually going there. In other words, I retain control of my finances and do not rely on some ghost company somewhere to do that for me. It is all a matter of trust these days, and I have been burnt enough in the past that I trust hardly anyone anymore. These *companies* do not know you and you don't know them, so what is to stop them from doing exactly what you have described? You have my sympathies.
I wish you the very best and I truly hope you get your money back. It may be a long drawn out process though, but be persistent! Good luck to you!
Thanks, that was what I was afraid of. nm
..
Everyone is probably afraid to say anything
nm
I'm afraid to ask..
/
That's what I'm afraid of...
I have a fairly high production rate, and I hate to sign on with a company, obtain the equipment to do the job, then find there isn't enough work to keep me busy. The recruiter said they had just landed a couple of prime hospital accounts, and they are so incredibly nice, that I'm very tempted to take it to see how it plays out. I have a couple of other offers, including MQ, so I'm busy contemplating which way to go.
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I really appreciate it :-)
Would you prefer....
I am wondering how many of you enjoy having daily e-mails that shares things about the company and your co-workers, such as maybe how long they have been employed and maybe something like spotlighting each MT each different month just to find out a little bit about your coworkers? The reason I ask this is because I used to work for a company about a year ago who had this type of thing and I really enjoyed it. It would even have something in it like bloopers from dictations and such. The company I have now you have nothing like that at all. We have our company e-mail, but the extent is just information about changes in account specs or the daily workload. I have seen names on the IM and just wondered about my fellow team mates. It was just a thought. Would like nice, honest answers... Please no meanies 
afraid? of what?
You were looking for a job when you found one with MQ weren't you? I left there a couple years ago and am SOOOOO much happier now. I went with MDI. Be afraid of fear itself; it is paralyzing and will hold you back from all kinds of good things. Do it smartly, but go for it.
I was afraid of that.
You make a good point, though, because the work would be clinic in my preferred speciality, and you can't get any easier than that, given that there are reasonably understandable dictators and a good platform.
What the heck. I'll give it a try, then. 
That's what I was afraid of. :(
I would love to go back to school and become an RN but can't right now. I'm 29 but have 3 small children at home and a husband who runs a construction company so isn't home much right now. I really need something from home at this time. Poo. Guess I'll have to keep searching and be more flexible in my requirements. :(
First Choice does, also, WP5.1. I prefer it, too. nm
xx
What are you afraid of them finding out
x
Why do you prefer OP notes? nm
+++
I'm afraid they offshore...
and lied about it to MT Stars, so they are simply forbidden 2 post here.
I would be afraid to mention that...sm
especially if your boss knows you have the ability to see who is assigned what jobs, etc...With that in perspective, I would be afraid because they are not really hiding anything from you. I agree with you. I would feel very bad and that that is an unfair situation, but again, would still be afraid to bring it up since the fact is not being hidden. Maybe there is a certain short-term reason this person is getting the easier ones. I would hang in there a little while longer, give it some more thought, see what happens in the next few days, and then make a decision. I know hastiness gets me into trouble more times than if I would have just waited it out. Hang in there. Do not get discouraged. I have had plenty of days like you are having where I just want to stop working for that day. Sometimes I do, and later on, I regret it. Hang in there!
Or - perhaps you are afraid of being replaced
x
No, just as an employee. I think they have just a few ICs and prefer
to hire employees. I imagine though that working for them as an IC is pretty much the same as an employee with the exception of no benefits. U have been in this business for 20 years and this is by far the best company I have ever worked for.
Almost afraid to answer here - LOL :) sm
I do acute care for Keystrokes and have a really good account. It uses Chartscript and I get a good mix of all the basic four work types. The line count is easy to get, and I do right around 1500 lines per day. This is the third account for me and I have been on it for about 10 months. The first two were not for me but my manager kept working with me until this one. The funny thing is that she said that others liked this the least and I like it the best!
done both and prefer IC status
I have been an IC for over 15 years. For the first 12, I was not incorporated. I just filed using my SS#. I incorporated three years ago, and now things are a bit more complicated but I seem to get more write offs.
My husband claims only a few on his taxes, so he seems to cover the both of us. I do not pay quarterly, and just about break even at the end of the year. We usually even end up getting a refund on our personal.
I have a CPA who is expensive but very familiar with home based business and what you need to pay or not pay.
I also work for a company where I am an employee, so throw that in the mix, and my tax return is kinda crazy. I prefer the IC status with all the write off's and such. My corporate filing fee is $750 per year and that is all I ever pay (well at least for the last three years).
Hope this helps.
Come on - don't let them make you too afraid
I am an MT with 20 years' experience - and 10 years as an activist in various worthwhile projects. I don't promise to know all the answers - or be able to provide the whole solution.
All I know is that IF we continue down the path we are on, A WHOLE NEW GENERATION of MTs will be borne into the field who EXPECT to make lower and lower wages... This is the way it's done.
We have a duty in a way to demand better for ourselves and for those who follow.
Still, I understand if you don't trust a 'stranger' - but frankly, management has no sway here - they can't do a thing about those who might seriously organize -
If we cave to fears, THEY win without even having to work for it.
If you email me, just give your Initials (i could care less about an IP - I'm not spying :)
Then I will respond with MY FULL information. When/if there is a serious response by more than 1 or 2 people I WILL promise to get this ball started rolling. That's ALL I can promise from a board like this.
LET'S GIVE 'EM SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
I have used both, prefer Shorthand (SM)
Learning curve was too tedious and long on instant text. I found I could program ShortHand to do most of the same things.
I prefer nationals. SM
I have worked years in hospital settings. It does have its advantages. Here's what I see the pros/cons are:
Inhouse Pros:
-- When you are done for the day, you're done!
-- You are not faced with family/friend disruption (see cons, too)
-- Company provides everything
-- Socializing is easy
-- Provides a change of environment
-- You have immediate access to assistance on all levels
-- HR and Payroll are usually in the same bldg and you can go down directly to them
-- Mgmt is readily available
-- You can usually view the entire workload and see how it is being distributed or balanced and have more input
-- Workload is limited to your employer's work only
Cons:
-- If you get too close to coworkers, they become intrustive on your work
-- If you don't share coworkers' perspectives, you can be given quite a cold shoulder treatment
-- You have to conform to a dress code usually
-- You have to leave the house in bad weather, park - sometimes walk a ways or even pay fo parking, etc.
-- Usually much more structured work and break times that are not too flexible
-- Usually paid hourly..sometimes with incentive plans. If you are really fast, probably not a good setup for you.
Love Nationals:
-- Work from home
-- Co provides equipment
-- Plenty of work and varieties of work
-- Paid on production -- great producers do very well
-- No worries about coworkers and social settings (getting along with annoying workers, etc.)
If you are afraid you will lose your job.....
Then go find something different to do. It's not difficult. But do not claim that this is a national security issue when it is not.
I've done both and I prefer..
hourly because I would have a set income already.
I actually prefer to be trained
this way rather than getting stuck on the phone endless hours. Would you mind emailing me the name of the company?
Yes, that is the company and no one afraid here!!!
so go back under the rock you came from.
I'm with you. I prefer per report
/
That is what I"m afraid of as my accounts go to VR
I am one of those very fast typists and normally do 250-275 lph once up to speed on an account. My account is going to VR soon, and I just knew that what you are saying is accurate; that VR can be a money maker for some but definitely not for those of us in this category. Ugh, I smell a huge pay cut coming for me
Do u prefer being an IC or employee?
Do you prefer being an IC or employee? I have been an MT for a little over 2 years, and I've always been an IC (subcontracting for a small transcription service). I like the flexibility in my schedule, but I feel a little left out in the cold when it comes to tech support, not having PTO to fall on when work runs low, etc.
Don't be afraid of the negativity...
Facts are facts, and it's useful. You don't have to like it but can still use what you read. Things tend to get witchy here sometimes, but I gotta say were it not for this board and the freedom we have here of saying what we feel and reading both sides, I'd not have been able to make a halfway intelligent quick decision between two companies. I was set to sign on with a place everybody was praising highly a few months ago which now apparently is going the route of the place I just left, i.e., down the tubes. I used this board, made personal email contact with several people (very valuable) and very quickly picked a place where hopefully I can quit worrying for awhile at least (but who knows? I'll never truly feel secure jobwise again, but it's been a good wake up call). The info I continue to get here has been invaluable to me. You have to know how to use information you're presented with and take what you can from it in any situation. By the way, I also learned that you cannot necessarily believe everything a recruiter will tell you no matter how nice that person is or how intelligent you think your questions are. It can be a different story once you've signed on with the company.
Are you not afraid of nosebleeds up there sm
on your high horses - aim at the the first 2 posters.
Entitlism is just not something I can stomach on the 4th of July. (your statement)
This IS an unineducated statement. Stuff like paying (giving them) them an interest free loan (business loan) to pay for their capital improvements- they want you to use their PC and want a way to pay for it interest free. This is bull. Plain bull. Hey you want to pay for some things that will only work on their PC, go ahead. Hey jump at the chance.
If for instance, you are doing work either FT or PT a business of one, just going merrily along, there are not enough (given the standard deduction rate) to come up to that amount, meaning, you swallow the costs.
I say once again, I provide plenty of equipment/tools and should not have to pay a licensing fee to use their software and on and on. Just like I don't charge them for using my MSWord used to interface their platform to make it function. E--nuf. !
Especially when you are an IC and THEY virtually have no business costs, no social security, unemployment insurance, no disability costs and on and on. I call this a pretty darn good deal all ready.
I prefer my own computer.
Been working at home 12 years and have always used my own computer. None of my employers have gotten into it for any reason. If I have a problem with something computer related, my husband takes care of it.
Many people are now afraid to go with MDI
full-time. A good friend of mine who was full-time there left because she could not make enough to meet her expenses. I know they keep saying the situation will get better, but when? It seems (and I am looking from the outside) like the company has a new management style from how it used to be.
I think they know the answers but are afraid their MTs
will bail if they know the truth. January is a much better time to lose a bunch of employees than this time of the year, when things are picking up after the summer lull. In addition, they benefit in having a good 4 months to train employees for the eventual exodus of the MTs who worked for MDI for the flexibilty, type of work, pay, etc.
On the business end, it is more convenient for them to not have to do both W2s and 1099s for the 500 employees being incorporated into their system this year. They also have to at least offer insurance to their employees, so if they called everyone employees now, they would have to offer you insurance in December - assuming their eligibility period is 90 days - and again on January 1, the start of a new plan year. That would be a tremendous amount of redundant paperwork.
I am sad to say they do indeed know the answers, they just know that you are not going to like them. Hence, they are doing what they did before, playing dumb.
I think you have to use their equipment, if that matters at all. I prefer my own. nm
m
I'm afraid ignorance was bliss...
OSI - post away! :(
I prefer quiet, too. Everything seems fine. nm
x
I earned more doing MT work but I prefer QA
because I love it. I enjoy the mentoring aspect plus MT took its toll on my bones and I absolutely could not do it anymore if I wanted to because of that.
This is why I prefer group over individual..
The bottom line is that.. When you have group insurance, you have a set rate, along with everyone else, regardless of your health insurance..and when it renews each year, it will only go up based on the group's rate, nothing to do with your personal health history and it is generally better benefits overall. Now, you have a private policy, can only afford one with a huge deductible (major medical)..well, during the year, you had an emergency surgery, heart attack..whatever.. Well, first off you have that preminum which is high, then you have all of that deductible to meet, upwards of $5000..THEN, your shocked at renewal time that they jacked up your preminum about $200 a month..and then your stuck..You can pay that outrageous amount or go without insurance because another private insurance wont touch you will all of your medical claims in the past 10 years. If they do touch you, it won't be cheap. So, your bad to square one.. crappy insurance at a bad price or signing up with a company for okay rates but better insurance.
I thought I was smart not keeping my group insurance through work because it was $400 a month (deductible $1000 etc..) so I went and got myself a family plan through private insurance for ONLY $196 a month.. Yes, then I had a $5000 deductible and come to find out my prescription benefits were only 50% instead of the $10-40 I had been paying. One of my son's prescription cost us $100 a month with that great insurance, and it would have only been $25 on my old group policy. Yes, I was saving a lot of money..NOT. I did check into my private insurance to get a policy similar to my group one.. and imagine that.. they wanted over $1000 a month for decent insurance. So, no thanks. I'll stay with group..It's worth it in the long run.
She is afraid she is going to lose her job. All of us feel
nm
Why are you afraid to reveal your company name?
HUH HUH HUH HUH HUH?? You speak so boldly when hiding behind a mask don't ya????
I'm afraid to ask, but how is the radiology account at
 Softscript? I already know their acute care sucks. TIA
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