Contracts for working at companies?

Hi all,

I was wondering, do MOST of the companies require you to sign a contract to work for them? You know, saying how long you will work for them, etc? I have heard a lot about this lately. Is this the norm? It seems to me that one wouldn't want to work for a company requiring this, as I would think that if they were a good company, employees wouldn't need a contract, they would just stay because they are happy?

• Contracts for working at companies? - mt
  • Contracts for Working at Companies - Sarah Kanary
  • Are you asking about IC status or employee status? sm - RAD IC
    • IC - tm
      • Yes, of course IC's have to sign a contract. - MTinNC
        • sorry, more info - MTinNC
          • Internship contracts - MT cowgirl
            • Legal or not, I wouldn't sign it. sm - Jen1

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How do you all do it?  I am trying out another company to see how I like it with anticipation to switch over.  In the meantime, I am working 40 hours for one and 20 for another.  There is still a home to maintain, meals to prepare, grand kids to take to and pickup from school (their mother is a single parent and a nurse so her hours are worse than mine). 

I am only intending on doing this for another few weeks until I make my decision, then doing only 1 FT job. 

I know there are those of you who do this on a regular, steady basis and I admire your fortitude.   You are made of stronger stuff than I am. 

Off QA review in 3 or 4 days????

Let's just assume that your company tells the MT to follow the BOS to the letter, and the platform is user friendly, and the MT has 5 or 8 years experience.  Even given that scenario, someone new to a company cannot be expected to turn in a report with 98 to 99 percent accuracy in 2 or 3 or 4 days.  Maybe it would be possible if the MT had only 1 work type or transcribed only 1 doctor.  But throw in 5 or 6 work types, each with a some pecularities to them, a different doctor for each report, maybe the same doctor twice in an 8-hour shift. 

Or how about an MT that has been following the BOS to the letter and switches companies and now has to transcribe verbatim - that would make q.d. CORRECT if dictated.  The MT has to stop and think how to transcribe what normally would be INCORRECT.  So the MT hears *hs* and accidentally types at bedtime.....you get the idea.

If a company told me they expect me to be off QA review in 3 days, I would take that to mean they don't care about the details of my work, just turn in what looks good the untrained eye, and let them get their lines billed.

Am I supposed to be happy when a company only gives me 200 or 300 lines a day when they promise you a certain amount (that is higher than that)? How would the company employees (not us lowly transcriptionists) feel if the company told them that they were only getting paid 100 dollars this pay period, that there wasn't enough work. Not enough to pay bills and keep food on the table, just pin money.

Sheesh.

In hindsight, it would seem a good idea in such a situation would be to have a notarized agreement between yourself and the person you get to fill in for you.  This agreement would stipulate that they are only to fill in for you in your absence when requested by YOU and they are not permitted to seek or accept employment with this client as long as you are their transcriptionist, even if it's your best friend.  This is business, not a Saturday lunch together. 

Then you could also get the facility to sign a notarized agreement with you stating they will not offer employment to your fill-in.  They are to understand that this person is only a fill-in for you and is not permitted to solicit your clients because he/she has a legal agreement with you to not do so.  Should they violate this, you will pursue legal means, etc.  You must protect your job as well as you can.     

You can also put in a contract that you have the first right of refusal to turn down work if the workload increases and the facility wishes to hire more staff.  Then they can't go behind your back and hire others without offering you the work first.  You have yourself covered at both ends this way.  I've done such contracts and they befuddle the client so much that they willingly agree to sign because it sounds like I know a whole lot more than they do.  Get a lawyer to draw something up so all your bases are covered. 

Being nice, honest--that has to do with character and it's wonderful if the people for whom you work are that way.  But in business, it's money that comes first.  The two are not incompatible but it seems these days they aren't often found together anymore.  Do a bullet-proof contract and give it to your clients in a very cordial but professional manner.  They will respect you for it.  Your business and income are every bit as valuable to you as theirs are to them and explain that to them as you hand over the contract for them to sign.  If they can't see that, you don't need to deal with them and move on.  Make the playing field level here and protect yourself.  You are a professional too!

Has anyone out there heard or looked into government contracts transcribing for VA hospitals - a friend called me today with this proposition - she said there were two places to look for work - one is called rsp.com and the other is fedbizops.com.  She put in a bid for a radiology account with 600,000 lines a month and said that she thought that would take two people.  I'm just trying to find out if this is legit or not.  I'm not wanting any extra work for myself, but this just sounds too good to be true.

I found this the below link quite helpful, particularly sample contract 2.

HTH

Best wishes.

Yes the papers have been served. Seeking legal advice soon.  I don't really fear anything as I know we have done nothing wrong. It's just maddening that this person doesn't have anything better to do than to make other people miserable. She doesn't want to make her own money, she tries so hard to take other people's money. I swear, she works harder at trying NOT to work than she would actually have to work if she would just get a job! Get a job lady!

This can be tricky.  You need to have a lawyer look at the contract you made with the physician and see if you made a contract with him as an individual or the contract was made with his business and then see what can be done.  If it was made with his business, then you may be covered and be able to fight this more easily. 

I think you also need to know what the new contract for the merger covers -- are all previous services used by that physician automatically transferred over to the merged group?  If not, you may have been cut out of the deal.  OR, you may be included and they are not telling you.  Also, if you are not covered under the new arrangement, you may be able to go after him for expected income based on what your existing contract states with that physician.  You may be able to go after him personally for money owed. 

We're talking 6 months of income here as I see it.  Get a lawyer and go get what you deserve if there is any possible way--either by being retained by the new group or bringing charges of some sort.  Make sure the lawyer stipulates that THEY pay all legal costs involved.  They may be more willing to settle with you, give you what you want, rather than go through all this.  Stand your ground.  You are a business and don't let them cheat you.  There are a lot of things in contracts that a non-lawyer can't see but can very well be to your advantage. 

Good luck! 

Yes, the only real "comfort zone" is what is covered in a legal document.  There's your security to a certain extent.  That's not to say that will eliminate all problems, but it gives people an idea you're serious and professional about your servies and you don't expect to be taken advantage of.  Demand all that you want.   Then decide down the road how strictly you want to hold the other party to those demands. 

Think of how business people operate -- they argue at the conference table over clauses in contracts and then go play golf together the next weekend.  It's expected.  It's part of running a business.  Business is business, social is social.  Draw a line here between the two.  Be nice when you type a term paper for your neighbor's kid.  Be strict when you deal with clients. 

Anyone can challenge a contract or agreement, and sometimes you will lose or it won't be worth the fight to pursue it. Every situation is different.  That's why it's best to get the best attorney you can afford, the most experienced in this, to draw up that contract to begin with.  Obviously the clients for whom we work have their own lawyers and the money to pursue things.  But looking at the overall picture, it's just easier to give into your demands as a Transcriptionist than fight, especially if they really want to keep you which seems to be the case here.  If there is a disagreement and you walk, their work is going to get backed up until someone else is trained and up to speed (in most situations).  Who wants that hassle?  It's easier to give into your demands.  Lawyers aren't cheap for anyone, either side.

I'd sit down with these people and explain what they have done to you because they really may not realize how it is affecting you.  Be pleasant about it but firm.  Then have that contract ready and re-negotiate.  Tell them your lawyer has advised you to do this with every client you have and you are changing your way of doing things to protect your business.  Who can fault you for that?  It makes perfect sense.  Then you'll know where you really stand with them and you can make your decision to stay or move on.  And when you deal with anyone else, present the contract to them and make sure all parties understand what they are signing before you do one bit of paid work for them.   

One other tip:  This is not meant in any way to offend you, as I'm sure your sklls are good, especially if they asked YOU to find a replacement.  They assumed they would get someone just as good as you.  Don't do it.  Don't ever hire a fill-in who is equal to or better than you.  You want them to be exceedingly glad upon your return!!!  Doing this even puts you in a better bargaining position as far as rate increases in the future.  If you want to help out a friend, get her/him an account you don't want.  OR, hire them as a subcontractor for you so that they do not deal one-on-one with the client except to do the work.  They are not to be involved in any negotiations whatsoever.  But I still prefer hiring below your level of expertise.  It's better for you that way. 

For those of you who work for MT companies, do you have to sign a contract regarding working for other companies as well?

Since supplemental income seems to be a big part for many, I am wondering if there is ever any problem with that.

Is there anyone else, besides me, who's very hesitant on giving out your social security # to new contracts?    Am I better off trying to get a Federal Tax ID # and using that instead?   

So, naturally, in whose favor would we expect it to be?  Right!!  2 things I would get absolutely straight on a contract, though, is hours or schedule, if any is to be considered, and a definitive line rate, not in vague terms.