really?? I tried searing two times...any idea what I'm doing wrong???
Posted By: mt on 2006-02-27
In Reply to: Someone asks about this company weekly. Lots of - search old posts
Thanks!
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Somebody has the wrong idea about being an IC. “You should hit the
ground running.” Sorry, these smug remarks have to come from those who are employee status and don’t even know what it is like to be an IC today. We face the same problems of no work after signing a contract, most of us are not “businesses” other than we take off our business expenses when we pay our huge tax bills (if we are lucky enough to make enough money these days), and we don’t work on recognized platforms like ExText, Chartmatrix, or any number of others the big MTSOs have today. No, we work on “platforms” someone has created in a small MTSO that in no way are production oriented, created by someone’s husband, cousin, or whoever. We have to deal with psychopathic owners who want to screw you, not pay you, and “account specs” is a foreign term to them. If you cannot hit the ground running as an employee, why do you think an IC must?
ICs are ICs because of the flexibility it affords them. They are MTs just like the rest of you. If you need your hands held as an employee when newly hired, what makes you think an IC doesn’t need direction at the beginning? Has nothing to do with incompetence or not being computer savvy but has everything to do with getting the proper information, just like an employee, in order to do the job.
I was really sorry to see the posts to Jennifer below in response to her concerns. Clueless in Seattle is too kind an idiom for most of you. It is laughable the remark that you “market yourself as a business.” You market nothing, you sign on as an independent contractor after replying to job postings that are IC status, a status that is appealing to companies who do not want employees because they want to pay no benefits, collect no taxes, and do not have to conform to Labor Department laws for the most part. Someone is confusing being an IC with being an owner of a company. ICs today work for others, they are not company owners because they do not want the headaches of owning a company.
It’s a big risk being an IC today, not what it was like when I started in this business over 20 years ago when someone’s word meant something. ICs deserve as much respect as an MT who is employee status, a respect in the thread below that is sorely lacking and has many misconceptions displayed in the responses. Until you have walked in their shoes, please don’t try to be an expert and offer such platitudes as, “you should hit the ground running.” I could only hope that some of you would offer an apology for your comments.
You're wrong. You have posted many times
about QT, always trying to start something. You've even posted things making it sound as if you work there, and you say you don't. Why do you need to know what is going on if you don't work there? Things are well at QT, despite all the garbage a few months ago. They are not hiring so any information about pay, work load, etc. isn't needed.
No, wrong again, it is in modern times perfectly acceptable to
start a sentence with 'But' and even with 'And,' especially when putting emphasis on a statement.
sorry....searching...not searing
:(
A lot of times, if they need extra help, they will over 1-1/2 times our regular rate. sm
This is the equivalent of OT but you get it even if you have not done 40 hours already. I have also received AmerExp gift cards a few times for incentives offered. I think it depends on the account.
I do know for sure that they are working on an incentive program but I have no details and not even sure if they are still looking at it.
I do know for sure that I make more $$ with Keystrokes than I have ever made anywhere else.
WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! We turn down work because so many hospitals are sm
calling wanting a company that keeps work in the USA. The trend was stronger a few years ago before it all came to light about poor quality, the woman in Pakistan who threatened to post medical records on the web, 911, etc. There are hospitals who look for US-only and they are the MAJORITY not the minority. Definitely seeing the tide turn on offshore from an MTSO perspective, both MTs and customers!!!!!
You are wrong! Here is the ad. I got it too. There are no words spelled wrong and the caps are pa
This is pasted from the bottom of the email blast.
Why are you trying to stir up trouble? Keystrokes does not send ANYTHING offshore.
Here is the email blast from ILHIMA. The KS logo is at the top but does not paste here:
Rapid Turnaround, Guaranteed Accuracy, Measurable Cost Savings, U.S.A. Only, & Personal Service. These are our Five Stars of Excellence Promise. Find out what they can mean for you today. Email Pam.Gingrich@KeystrokesMT.com today!
Idea to help us all, maybe?
I've started an Excel chart noting objective information on companies. PTO, bennies, differentials, incentives, platform ease of use, spaces, all the stuff that helps to make a decision about whether a company is a good fit. So, I've really appreciated some of the information I've seen here today, good and bad. Keep it coming! 
No idea!
nm
Here's an idea...sm
Why not just hire weekend people at a good rate? They won't have to pay benes, etc.
Here is a novel idea
Very well said!! I can name a few that do that such as, Ascend Health Care Systems, Transcend Services.... should I go on???
Have no idea.
:(
I LIKE that idea.
Let the recruiters compete for their paychecks like MTs do when companies overhire MTs (even if just for a week or so). 
Yes, I have an idea for you. sm
If you email me, I can give you the name of a company who offers this. Please be sure to put in your subject line of your email that it is in regard to a post at MT Stars, because I try to be careful of what email I open. Also, if you could give me an idea of how long you've been an MT, that would really help.
Anyone know how many MT's they have? I get the idea that
they are fairly large but the couple of times I have spoken with them they are really nice and pleasant and seem to be on the ball. They seem to treat people more like a small company.
I think the idea is that you tell them what
details are important to you, because no ad is going to give you all the details that might be very important to you. For instance, is good software more important than available IT help or whether there are ESLs or whether you can specialize, etc. When I've seen it discussed before, one person said they were referred to off-shore companies. Which would explain why posts might be removed from this site. But obviously you could stipulate it has to be an American company. I intended to use them when I got sick of sorting through companies myself, but found a good one in the nick of time. Good luck.
if your idea of
a good time is working like a dog for $11 an hour making some young white hotshot rich, this is an ideal career opportunity.
I had the same idea, but
the one job I found that was not MT, made me crazy - because all the rules were completely different... Try going back and forth and be able to keep them straight.
I'm still dizzy from that experience. That said, if I could have found straight data input, it would have been find. Let us know if you find something :)
Novel idea
nm
An even better idea - sm
How about the people who are not scheduled to work the holiday NOT work! Then those of us who are scheduled to work might actually get some work.
I have no idea but they sure need more
Some of the reports I come across are full of stupid errors that QA has never seen. They are far too easy on MTs and apparently don't do audits after you're released but maybe it's just me. I've been there nearly 2 years and have never been audited. I was surprised but am still careful just in case...
I think the TT niceness is carried too far when you have medical records with errors. So for all you potential naysayers who wonder how I know about the errors, with Dictaphone EXtext we have access to other reports and that is how we get samples. I would say at least have of them have some pretty bad errors.
I have an idea
Just let them know up front what you expect to get paid. I am sure they will be willing to oblige at that rate. Good luck!
An idea.....
How about a -----Watchdog Group---? Possibly representative(s) in each state. This group could appoint a committee to... say check on companies.....etc.
I'm sure that out of the thousands of US, some of you are good at writing letters getting a point across, organizing people, etc.
Personally, I had always thought AAMT was a bunch of baloney (just my opinion). They used OUR money to more or less screw us. Maybe there is something legal that can be done? Maybe they did a breech of contract so to speak.
Basically, senators, news media, etc. can help. At the end of the road, it is OUR problem. No one knows it like we do. Therefore, we are the ones with the solution.
Hey, now there's an idea!!!! s/m
You've got a deal! I loved to crab when I lived on the Texas Coast. We could always paint gourds when the crabs didn't have any meat in them, that was in the full moon wasn't it? I forget. I've slept since then. BTW, LT did you find a good new home? Haven't painted many gourds today, just loafing with a mini-migraine.
I have an idea for you!
You could always apply with SoftScript, Inc. They'll match your line rate (under certain criteria) and offer excellent benefits. After employee contibution, there are some plans that wouldn't cost you a penny out of pocket. Give it a shot!
You have got the right idea. I should have done same as you are doing.
I'd still be there now. Just got scared out of town which is my own fault. Oh, well, things happen for a reason. Just to say, you are very mature and your attitude is a good one for the long haul, at least as far as this company. It is a fantastic company and if you keep up your attitude you will do well. All I can say for me is that I jumped the gun, got scared. But ended up in a good place anyway, so just learned a life lesson about not running away, I suppose.
I like that idea
As it is now with the company I work with, I know nothing about my fellow MTs other than the fact that we are editing/typing in the same boat remotely.
Where did you get the idea
that ICs cannot have direct deposit? As long as the person hiring you gives you a 1099, it doesn't matter how you get paid. MDI gives the proper and accurate tax information each year. BTW, their pay is always accurate and on time, too.
Exactly right, but the whole idea of being
So, really in essence what you are saying is correct. However, I don't really know any IC that wants to work a set schedule or they would apply for an employee position. As an IC, I work when I want, end of story... Too bad if the MTSO is not doing their job on their end by contracting with enough ICs to take the work and get it done within TAT. Oh well.. That still doesn't mean an IC should work when the MTSO says they have the work that needs done. As an IC, you have the right to say no.
No, they do not have to give you work when you want it, but that's the idea of being an IC.
And yes, there are companies out there that allow you to transcribe from a pool with no quotas and no set schedules, but they are few and far between and usually well staffed, so they do not have to advertise, since they are doing things right to begin with.
I really had no idea that something
as little as that would make a difference on a message board. I love this site because people are very informative, and if I was looking for a job I would definitely make the effort to do everything correct, but till that time comes I didn't figure a little slang words here and there would hurt anybody. :) Thank you for your opinion though:)
My IQ is 174, and I have no idea what you are
indeed be very interested, as you can tell I already am. I think you just need to start with a little bit, just a tad, of background info to enlighten your fellow genius MTs, who just might not be versed yet in Illuminati. I have to go out and about now, but plan on Wikipedia'ing and Googling Illuminati. I love to learn, and am intrigued already by your connections and theories, but I need a bit of enlightment!
I have an idea.
As hard working MTs working for these type of companies, why don't we all email them a Happy Holidays or send these companies a card and see how bad we can make the nongiver companies feel. Doubt it will even make an impact but think it will send a mssage that we are the better folks. I'm gonna do just that and will get a little satisfaction.
Another Idea Here
Does this company have ONE standard they use, like BOS? I've had a few QA people do what you describe to me. Before I went to the supervisor, I would reply back to the QA person with something like this, On page 68 of the Second Edition of the AAMT BOS, it says to blah, blah...which do you prefer, your interpretation or BOS? It would be even better if you could find one of their own samples or rules that conflict & point that out.
I've worked for some companies who do keep you on QA for a week or so and others that released me immediately. Don't take it personally, but when they do give conflicting info get your ammunition out (BOS, etc.) & politely and firmly defend yourself.
As another person said, some of these people are just plain arrogant, rude and don't care if you stay or leave. Don't know how they stay in business. Oh that's right, they usually get bought out by another company & sometimes justice is served and the mean ones lose their jobs. lol.
I have an idea....
Okay, I have a plan. Give me until Monday to get it all set up, but in the meantime, respond with I'M IN - so I know how many people we are talking about here. Let's do this!! Enough is enough!
idea
Just an idea but have you searched outsourcing on the stars site....i know quite a few people have posted things over time so there may be more ideas there as well.....Yes, this companies love to send their work to India and then they come back to us and say oh please fix this COME ON!!!! Another thing, I am tired of these companies who pay someone with over 10 years experience the same as someone who just started. I am not trying to insult a newbie but come on!!!!
You have NO IDEA
.
I have no idea...
 ...who came up with this outsourcing to India idea....what a bright idea! No wonder our country is in such trouble.
It's always the almighty dollar!
I have no idea why they did not let her go
because in spite of what you think, I am not management, but I kind of figured it was because she had said lawsuit several times and they were covering their buns. I am her coworker and she has blitzed us with this information for quite some time. I got the information from her. I said maybe she was telling the truth then and maybe not. I cannot even begin to make sense of what she does or the reasoning behind it. She was in there blitzing us with her smear campaign last night after she thought management had signed out for the evening. She is the one who said so many people left or were fired. I simply asked who. Oh yeah she is a crackerjack MT and worthy of that kind of $$. She cannot do OP notes, ESLs, or make a minimum line count. This big stink is exactly her MO. Makes very little difference what everyone thinks because the truth will come out in time. It is just the kind of scam she would pull. Before you all dive in and judge this situation without facts, why don't we all agree to wait and see what comes of this fiasco? I know that if this goes legal, someone is going to produce written records and come out on top of this. Don't you all want to know who and why?
Have no idea....
I have a lousy supervisor, or it could be just a company problem as a whole, but we aren't given any information on our team as to what is going on with the accounts.
no idea there were so many, thanks!!
x
Me too. I got cut off one too many times.
x
I can't tell you how many times....
this has happened to me! It's as if they either don't listen, or don't want to hear that you are only able to take X amount of work each day. Don't you feel taken advantage of? The only solution I've found is to leave the MTSO and keep looking for someone who will respect your requests. It's tough to bounce around like that, but I don't think your existing MTSO will change. Good luck.
I think so, although at times the
communication can be not so great. I don't know how many MTs KS has, though they seem to be growing so fast that the number is subject to change weekly, but there is still a small feel to it. The owner is fairly forthcoming with information, at least from what I have seen thus far.
Here are the times - SM
If your last name starts with the letter A through F: 10 AM
If your last name starts with the letter G through O: 11:30 AM
If your last name starts with the letter P through Z: 2 PM
You have said that 3 times...
Who are you trying to convince? If the hourly QCs were worried about quality instead of their own prestige and how much money they make, things might have been different....
Not at the times it happens. Not at all....
Anyone who has done this for a while knows that there are slowdowns around major holidays, like T-giving, Christmas, 4th of July. At my other companies, I did not run out of work on May Day, Cinco DE Mayo, Columbus Day...you get the idea. They overhire. Period. They have a right to do so. The MTs you lose due to that practice are the high producers with stellar accuracy ratings, not those who shall have trouble finding other jobs.
How many times can you do that?
It takes at least 90 days to get benefits at a new company. It is not just an easy decision to move on. If you can't get that concept then just skip the messages by the MTs who have every legitimate right to complain about these companies.
Why don't you think before you post such flippant answers?
In times like these...
Ya'll, in times like these, I tell myself. Self, the ink has already dried on the paper, nothing can be changed. There is no use getting heart palpitations/angina over it. From past experiences, most everybody knows what is going to happen. Now, I tell myself, when the time comes, you have to consider all the pros and cons from all sides and then make a rational decision. I remember when MQ went through this and all the hair pulling-out and teeth gnashing (myself included) that went on. If you cannot accept what is written in concrete, you (I) need to make a decision and go for it. In the meantime, I will put my nose to the grindstone, tighten my proverbial budget belt, and work as hard as I can and try and save some money for a rainy day.
P.
Again and I have said it many times sm
before......it has only become like this since the schools have advertised MT as a work at home job! Also those who only got into this profession soley for the fact of working at home......I really feel bad for you.
The MT profession is an honorable profession to be in. It is about the patients and never should have been represented as it has been in the last 10 or so years. This has what has brought it to the level it has become.
I have no idea what you are talking about...
I am not exactly sure what post you are referring to. I also do not have a problem with line count and do around 350 to 400 lines per hour and am happy with Transcend. When I said management views and posts on MTStars, I was not referring to anyone's post and do not know what the heck you are talking about but whatever. You guys really need to get a grip or SOMETHING!!!
Good idea!
nm
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