Something is missing here. Please answer a few ??ing variables here. Please sm.
Posted By: Objective MT on 2009-05-24
In Reply to: Not paying employees - Fair warning
I'm not affiliated with Landmark, but have perused enough archives to see that not paying their employees is not a common practice with them. The majority of posts regarding LM are very positive. No MTSO has 100% positive info, especially on this forum.
I'm not taking sides here, but to quote a poster below, there is a lot of missing information.
There are always two sides to every story, which is the reason for my questions.
1. How long were you employed with Landmark?
2. Have you returned any and all of their equipment?
3. Is nonpayment why you quit? If not, did you give the customary 2 wks notice?(Not that this justifies holding back pay, just trying to find ALL the answers.)
4. Were you in breach of contract in any way?
Whether your statements are true or not, they are still considered slanderous/libel. You may want to be prepare yourself in case you need to back them up.
Good luck!
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- Not paying employees - Fair warning
- Something is missing here. Please answer a few ??ing variables here. Please sm. - Objective MT
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There are just too many variables...
in this business to answer these types of questions. Line rate, platform, work types, experience, definition of a line, employee versus IC, etc. It's like comparing apples and oranges sometimes. I've personally known MTs to earn anywhere from $5 an hour to over $50 an hour. $1000 a week is NOT impossible.
Too many variables to say --
When I worked for MQ, I was on 2 primary accounts that were SR. The dictators on these accounts were pretty good and I generally got 300 lph, sometimes more or less depending on the dictators. MQ paid 70% of your line rate for SR and paid for spaces but not demographics. Some companies only pay 50%. A lot will depend on the platform, the dictators, your SR rate of pay, what the company pays for (ADT, spaces, etc), and how many accounts you are on, in addition to what your general MT capabilities are. Generally speaking, I type about 200 to 250 lph.
You might get a better idea if you state which company/platform you are talking about. 
There's a lot of variables
There's a lot of variables
Especially if you're a relatively new hire, you're probably just getting up to speed on the account they hired you for and so they may not have the personnel to change that right now. As to adding it as a secondary, they're usually pretty good about doing that as long as it's in the same 'difficulty' level. They're not real keen on having the top tier transcriptionists getting paid at the top of the scale for typing no-brainer stuff. But your best bet is to talk to your supervisor. It may be that the spot you have now can be easily filled by anyone, and if you've got skills that would work well with what sounds like a new account coming on-board, they may be more than happy to switch you over.
Of course, like everything, be careful what you ask for.
Depends on SO many variables.
I have seen 6-8 cents for a 65-character count line for acute care. There are many variables here. It might be more with incentives, if you can attain them as a newbie. I am sure others will weigh in with what they know. Good luck!
There are HUGE variables
Formulas that MT companies give as average are usually based on average work that a MT is well versed in - which companies do not always make available to MTs then act surprised. Duh. Connections, software, familiarity, accents, account types, etc., etc. are huge variables for production and should be considered. Left on the same work for awhile I used to be capable of producing 2,000-2,500 lines, but that changes if my work is changed or if I'm put on a subspecialty I'm not familiar with. It's why companies that have people on a zillion accounts and are not rewarded for it have unhappy MTs. People making huge counts are usually people who are happily typing away at familiar work. Been there, not there now, and am miserable and burnt out.
Again, there is no average. Too many variables. As for
work it out with your client or clients or find someone to cover for you. Or you can have them find someone to cover for you, but if that person is faster, nicer, or better in some way in their eyes, you run the risk of losing the work. I always provide backup if any extended time off or just work double the next day after a single day off.
You can set forth your TAT, but if the client doesn't like it, you won't get the work. I typically ask what kind of TAT the client expects and if it doesn't work for me, I don't have to take their work.
Perhaps just finding a place other than MQ would solve your problem better, though. Having your own clients doesn't always equate to more money. You might get a better per-line rate but there's a lot more involved so you end up working more hours, etc., as stated below, and don't always end up on the profitable side.
With all the variables as to what could be lurking
that dictated minute, your guess is as good as mine. Do you have an offer? If so, what is it? Is this for an IC job? PT? FT? No real way of knowing uness you take the plunge, do the dictation and see what you come out of it with. IMO, sounds like more smoke and mirrors.
Lots of variables.
I do tend to agree with the poster that a lot of it has to do with the type of work. Like her, I had an account that paid 9 cpl but because of the nature of the work, I was lucky if I could break 125 lines/hour.
I recently chucked it for an account that pays 8 cpl, have my weekends back, sit down, do my much easier work, and walk away...no more sitting at the computer from morning to midnight hoping to get enough money to get a living line count. I'm getting line counts in five hours that it would take me 12 to get at the 9 cpl place.
I will also point out that a lot depends on what company it is. Some of the same people saying that there was no way in hello they would work for 7 cpl, yesterday said they would work for even less for a small mom-and-pop American company to help get it going.
So, in a nutshell, if it was one doctor, one account, plenty of work, free-form schedule, for a small company, yes, I would do it for 7 cpl.
Variables in cost of living
Some states sound good, but then check out the taxes - real estate tax, personal property tax, sales tax, cost of heating/cooling, transportation, license plates, insurance, etc. A lot of it balances out in the end. Some states have outrageous license plate fees, (I paid over $600 for my car last year). I also get a personal property tax bill each year for everything including my dishes and silverware. State income tax is out of sight. Cost of heating in winter is unbelievable. I have to have 2 sets of tires for the car, 1 for winter, 1 for summer. I have to have 3 complete wardrobes for the weather changes.
TT management does not answer questions that you ask them; only answer those they want to answer.
I know, work for a long time and tried asking questions, but they just beat around the bush and don't answer the true question that you presented to them.
Maybe it is kite flying weather where you are !!!
Part of the problem with variables, and where we are today -sm
is because of how isolated we are, not only from the managers in the hospitals and MTSOs who don't have to see and get to know the people whose incomes & healthcare they're grinding down, but also because other than boards like this, for the most part we're isolated from each other. I'd venture a guess that of however many MTs there are working in the US nowadays, only a rather small percentage read this board or ones like it, and it's nearly impossible for MTs to function as a single, large entity that would get more respect from hospitals, MTSOs, and even our elected government officials.
I don't know if it's actually possible, but I still carry the hope that someday, somehow, this powerful communication tool, the Internet, can be used to once again get MTs what they deserve - even if it's just a small portion of the financial pie. The more money the employer makes, the more the employee should made, as they are the cogs driving the wheel, and it's the squeaking wheel that gets the grease.
Do they count spaces? If not then it would be a lot less. Find out what the variables are from your
Good Luck. Had the same problem with a job I had to leave. I got half the lines I used to. Now with another job same thing, just a little more than half of what I used to. Still looking for a company with the fair line count (65 with spaces, headers, footers, etc). Tired of looking but still trying. Good luck to you.
Many variables affect work load
Sometimes I have run out of work. Sometimes my accounts are swamped with OT, while other accounts are caught up. Some platforms have more work/accounts than others. Some specialties are overstaffed, some are understaffed. Its pretty much the same at other companies. Its just that people speak in absolutes on this board about their experience. You have to take it all with a grain of salt. I have come to understand that everyone's situation is so different that maybe we all should put a disclaimer that my situation is this and not make blanket statements using words like always and never, nor argue with one another about who's reality is valid - they all are.
Sounds good to me, but lots of variables. Employer stability, for one. nm
x
Too many variables to count. A lot depends on shift, accounts, what types of work you do. (sm)
I can be totally out of work on my 2 accounts and pull up backlog report and see some accounts have OT offered.
Every company has some employees totally satisfied with amount of work and some who run out totally.
Like I said, many, many variables to be figured in.
It's all the variables that can make it difficult - lousy software, mangling ESLs, inaudible dic
s
I must be missing something
Are you implying that because the initial poster mispelled all of the words she typed (intentionally, of course) that she must be talking about a black person. I am a black person and do not speak that way, nor have I ever. What exactly are you saying and I wish the original poster would also clarify what his or her point is. There are stupid, ignorant, unintelligent, inarticulate people of every race. This point is demonstrated everyday, all day on this board.
What is missing from above is sm
You don't use your names do you? What you type shows up in the subject line until it posts! (groan) Anyhow, to all those that do not use your name to post, why would you think it was right to post someone else's real name on here and slam them.
Believe me, you are not missing out on anything besides
/
YOU COULD ME MISSING OUT!!!
My employer did not post their line rates because each person can make something different. Their pay is based on testing and years of experience. I am really glad I didn't substitute this as automatic low pay or I would have missed out on the best opportunity to make what an MT should make with GREAT, affordable benefits.
Yes I was. Am I missing something here?
asd
am I missing something
This person recruiter or not says come work for a company that will not off shore - KS - why is that a horrid post?????
Not missing anything
Nope, I'm not missing any point. It most definitely is NOT a pay downgrade for me.
missing out
the support staff is US based..what are you talking about?? why dont you get facts straight
what did they promise?
so compared to other companies..like the one you work for?? come on get your facts straight!
I think that you are all missing something here.
Maybe you all are missing my point. I have posted this same ad locally via the radio station. I took 3 jobs. Two of them paid me twice what I should have been paid (these were long jobs that averaged me about $25/hr...total of about 16 hours...you do the math). The other one has a very good chance of turning into a paid position. I am not trying to scam any hard-working transcriptionists out there. I am not trying to take away your work. I am simply trying to help anybody out. Remember, this will help me in the future. I am thinking ahead. BTW, my school does help students get jobs. I am not stupid though. I will not put my future solely in the hands of one group. I have learned by listening to all of you...networking is the key! So, to all of you out there who are complaining about my proofreading, I am sorry. I am a student and offered to work for free. Realize that I am far from perfect. I am still learning. I am in school, working, taking care of two rugrats and all of my household duties. Knowing this, the fact that I am willing and able to take on even more work should only speak towards my character. I am a hard-working person, I cannot stand a minute of sitting and doing nothing. What I was proposing was to help anybody who would benefit from it. In return, I could benefit from your expertise. I have to learn somewhere. I did make the mistake of choosing a school that may not be the best but I am trying to make up for that by becoming your little helper. I want to benefit from a seasoned Transcriptionist telling me what I did wrong. Why are you all so scared of that? Also, might I add that I am an adult, I am not stupid. I will not take a job from overseas. I will not take a job without looking into it. I warn people that I am still learning and that I may not be perfect. Did I not say that I wanted a letter stating if I did good or bad? I am willing to take my chances. I have to start somewhere. I want to learn and better myself.
Oh, let's throw more in here. All three of those jobs I took...the people were VERY impressed. I am scheduled to do more work for them later this week. Thank you.
missing pay
they offered me a job, so glad I didn't end up taking it. I do recall, though, that there was a direct deposit form in the info they sent. Did they stop offering direct deposit?
Yes, here's what you are missing...
'Oriental' is considered a derogatory way to refer to someone of Asian descent - for one reason because it arrogangly LUMPS all persons from different countries together under the same 'banner' -
Others on the board consider it a real bummer to have to consider this, but it really just comes down to good manners and showing respect -something ALL of us want.
We are all Americans but we are *not* all southerners, etc...
I can answer that question with a simple answer!
Strengths - none.
Weakness - all.
Nope you are not missing anything, you can't!
VR editing is just like having to transcribe the report in many cases. Companies are not doing you a favor.
Sorry....nm after that post is missing. NM
s
You aren't missing much with sm
Transhealth. Chartmatrix stinks, doesn't integrate well with Word at all (cannot use autocorrect), crashes alot, and hard dictators. Their test dictators are actual doctors on their system. Management and office staff turn over quite frequently. Transolutions last I knew started out at 6 cents a line. You may want to go IC if you don't need the benefits.
missing the point
Education is learned, reputation is earned. I don't want to own a company but I would love to work for one who treats me fair on a day to day, month to month, year to year basis. I thought this was somewhere I could come to get information I needed from other MTs who may have been in or might be in the same boat that I was rocking but depending on which company you are asking about you might find foes instead of friends. Its hard struggling with companies and supervisors who don't want to pay you a decent salary, who short your checks, who take away benefits and incentives, who take advantage of you if you demonstrate ability to do ESL doctors efficiently, and who have no work for you but post ads offering big sign on bonuses and we come here to ask opinions and get information and we get called liars and are told we are paranoid and that just aint right. These companies that we gripe about are not perfect companies and the majority of the time no one is griping about the exact same thing but when you have a group of peopled consisting of both current and past employees who have identical complaints about the same company then to me that constitutes a rotten apple in the bunch. Granted that apple might not be the actual company and that apple might not be you but there is a rotten apple somewhere in that bunch and eventually all will be able to see.
you are missing that the discussion
was also about signing the agreement that we would not bring the company to arbitration...as in agreeing never to sue them.
I think you are missing the point
On purpose? We object to jobs being sent offshore by (mega) and even not so mega corporations to save $$ - in order to maximize profits.
And *who* are you teaching by the way? What is the typical makeup of your classes?
Please correct the impression, if you can, that pay scales, benefits, etc., are only going to be further eroded by opportunities like this one...
You are missing the point...
An employee should not have to spend ANY money in order for a company to hire them. I don't care if the fax machines cost $2. This should not be the responsibility of the employee.
There are plenty of MT companies out there who are more professional and they overnight the paperwork and provide a similar means (at no cost to the employee) to mail the paperwork back.
If I received an offer from a company who expected me to print out and fax back to them my new hire work, I'd say nevermind.
Might be something missing from the installation. nm
s
I might be missing something, but it sounds like you have
xx
Am I missing something? I clicked on
a few links to look up particular companies that are always being talked about as being Indian owned and didn't find them on this list????
Sorry, don't get your point! Am I missing
Missing the point
While I don't discount your experience, your math is way off there. First of all, I think starting wages for MT are too low (and the fact that starting wages are equal to the wages of experienced MTs doesn't help). I believe that, given the fact that when I started 12 years ago, I began at 8 cpl, with cost of living increases the starting wage for MT should be at least 9.5 cpl.
But there has to be a cap somewhere in terms of increase. For instance, my dad started as a nurse practitioner 25 years ago making $60K. He now makes $90K. That's as high as he will ever go. If he expected more than that, he'd never get a job. But, at the same time, he's very nicely compensated for his experience and knowledge.
Nonetheless, the question was what I think my worth is. That is what I believe, rationally and pragmatically, what my worth is. There's no right or wrong to it.
You are missing the point.
I did not say that feedback should not be sent the MTs. My point is that the MTSOs should compensate for the time taken to provide feedback if that is what they want. Being paid 3cpl to edit is not adequate pay for editing AND providing feedback, in my opinion.
missing minutes
Some of MDI's accounts are shared with other services (not by our choice, I'm sure). It may be that those minutes were reserved for the other service and for some unknown reason were re-routed to us instead. Some accounts also have in-house MTs that work on them and it could be something happened at the hospital that day with staffing or with some sort of emergency and minutes were re-routed to us that way, too. I really, really don't think MDI is sending work to India. I know it makes people jumpy who have been at the Q, but MDI is NOT the Q. There is probably a logical explanation for the work and I wish they would directly address it so people's imaginations would stop running wild.
I think you're missing what I'm saying.
8 cpl as an INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR is really low for an experienced MT. As an employee, it would be okay. There are plenty of companies who pay 8 cpl and above for employee status, so if you're experienced, you don't have to stoop to 8 as an IC. If you're happy with it, then more power to you! :)
What's the problem with Mag Mutual?? Are we missing something?
Just curious
You're not missing all that much. Not worth
being anxious over. I know they hire NJ MTs, so it must be a specific hospital account that won't let NJers in. They are often the middle man, or third party, or pain in the neck, between a hospital account and an MT. It sounded great on paper, but was not fun once working. Good luck.
Hayseed - Whereyabeen? We were missing you.
xx
That's why, when QA gripes about a missing semicolon or
patient care', my heart doesn't exactly bleed for them. If they felt their dictation was truly that important, then they'd clean up their acts, and their hospitals would invest a few dollars in more up-to-date dictation equipment.
You are missing the point altogether. nm
nm
You are missing the point Patel, sm
we do NOT want to share our work with you.....the companies are doing this, NOT US, the MTs.
You're missing the whole point
The issue here is MONEY. They see an opportunity to make BIG BUCKS. They don't give a rat's behind about whose medical records are being transcribed by whom. Slave labor brings them BIG BUCKS. Look at the profit they're making. American clients (hospitals) will pay BIG BUCKS for the work being done by poor (I mean that in a monetary sense) Indian workers who are happy to make a few cents or is it rupees? Their standard of living is what keeps this whole thing going.
It's NOT about the medical records or the patients. It's about making American and Indian suits BIG MONEY.
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