Honesty about working schedule
Posted By: MTness on 2007-05-10
In Reply to: Not wanting to work - annoyed
I do note that many transcripitionists I know of personally, are going to school for either a degree or training in another field, and right now it is finals everywhere. Many transcriptionists are struggling to keep the balls in the air between working and going to school, among other things. This, of course, does not make it okay to skip your work. However, I do know friends who work for industries outside the medical field, and are going to school also. Their companies let them take off a few days here and there for finals or mid-terms. Just my opinion.
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If MTs were working their schedule...
management would not have to STOP them from taking another MTs work. It's pretty simple  . Oh, and by the way, why exactly are you being forced to become an employee in January?
re below: working out of schedule
i work all different hours throughout the week and on the weekends. I dont ask permission to get on and type whenever I want. My company knows when I am typing and when I am not. No one has ever complained about the money I make them. I don't ever think about any other MT when I am trying to feed my family. I think about what I need to provide for them and how I need to go about doing that. If an MT cannot get their line count in during their scheduled shift, then that MT needs to be more flexible with their shift and work different hours to make up for it just like the rest of us.
To Working Your Schedule
I'm not trying to flame you but just ask a question. How is it you know for sure this "greedy" MT is "him"? What I mean is, how do you know specifically who THE person is? Does your system allow you to see who is on at the same time you do? If not, has that information been given to you by someone in the company?
Again, I'm not flaming. I'm just wondering how you know to place blame on a particular person and have knowledge that someone is getting your lines rather than it just being a lull in the work flow.
d~
working without a schedule
Does anyone know any good companies that allow you to work with a flexible schedule? I'd like to do a certain amount of work in a day/week/pay period without being obligated to a certain time frame every day, especially when it seems to be that the times I am scheduled are the times that the work is caught up or you can't get into the system. It would be nice to work different times on different days. Thanks for any input. P.S. Loving the snowflakes.
Thanks for the honesty
I really appreciate it!! I must say the only reason for doing this is not just my son. I am currently working a job where I make pretty good money, but am bored to death and have no challenges what so ever. I'm not sure if I have any advancement opps there.
I do have experience in the medical field and feel comfortable with medical terminology. I am looking at this as a career change to challenge myself. I know this is no cake walk, it is going to be extremely difficult. I don't expect to make big bucks, I really expect to have a big decrease in my salary......which i'm saving for.
People expect to become MTs and make wonderful money only doing a little bit of work...WRONG!! You are going to have to work long hard, sometimes frustrating hours to earn your dues. You must be consistent, it's not for an unmotivated person. You have to be a self starter and have somewhat of a passion or drive to really make it.
Even if I don't decide to become an MT now, i'm sure it's something I will pursue in the future. Possibility once my son is school age.
So you want honesty
I believe I have been honest if you look at all my postings. Sure I'm letting people know about the discounts, I posted the websites to find docs. I'm not trying to recruit people real hard because I just got started in the broker business myself. And as far as the MT stars terms of service. I wouldn't call me trying to help people as advertising, which was my whole goal in the first place. I am a medical Transcriptionist working from home and if it wasn't for my husband's insurance I would have none and definitely would jump on the Ameriplan discount program. So I can relate to other MTs working at home and are looking to save money on costs. So don't talk to me like you know me, because you don't.
Thanks IC for your honesty! (nm)
:)
In all honesty, I think you, yourself, have some
doubts, and thus your posting not just to 'cry on our shoulders'. So, perhaps you should listen to your heart and that little nagging voice that's telling you something isn't quite right here. You know the details of your life - follow your gut feeling, which is that something just isn't quite right about this.
Honesty?
Honesty. I wish companies would just be honest with you right at the beginning of your interviewing process. If you can not promise steady work, just tell me please. If your interpretation of the AAMT BOS is different from your QA people, just tell me please. If there are no specific guidelines in which you measure the quality and accuracy of your MTs, but leave everything up to the individuals reviewing the work, please tell me. I promise it will save both you and me a great deal of headaches down the line. I try to be very truthful about my experience (or even lack thereof), please be truthful about your company. After a while you get so frustrated your productivity drops, your zeal for the job at hand is lost, accuracy goes down the tube as you try to decipher if you should do it by the CP, BOS, or hope you get the same QA person who told you to change something (incorrectly) in the first place. I do not mind ESL or difficult dictators, I just do not want them one right after the other. Once in a while I would appreciate the easier dictators that I know you have stashed away. Thank you..
More honesty.
How about employees who are truthful about their experience? How about being available to work when you're scheduled, not when it's convenient for you? As with everything else, this is a two-way street.
Posts like yours keep blasting away at the employers. There are good employers out there, just like there are good employees and not-so-good employees.
Go ahead, fire away. My asbestos suit is back from the cleaners.
Thanks for your honesty. sm
The more I hear about the "other owner", the more I distrust her.
In all honesty....
Here is my opinion. Screw Karma and all of that silly BS.
As I sit here at my computer right now I see my husband, a man who loves me and I love him with all of my heart. We have stuck by each other through thick and thin. We have been there for each other and I would do anything for him.
I see my little daughter who depends on me for things like M&M's and pretty jewelry and who I would die for in a second without another thought.
NOW...if some snotty little MT who had no more resect for me as a co-worker, let alone a person with a family to worry about and INTENTIONALLY sat there and picked through all of the good reports and left me with the junk--in turn costing me the ability to provide my daughter with her M&M's and pretty jewelry (or worse), you would have to hold me back. I would go about it in as professinal of manner as possible, but you can bet that my supervisor would be left with an ultimatum of who he/she was going to keep. Especially in a situation where they can't afford to lose anyone, as you said. You have the upper hand. How dare she sit there and purposely take money our of you and your family's pocket! And to sit there and do nothing is not only cheating yourself, but those who depend on you.
Whew...
Appreciate your honesty...
That's what I'm looking for. In my short MT career I've already experienced the "losing my job to India" fiasco! The transcription company I worked for before laid off all their US employees to ship everything overseas because it could be done cheaper! Thanks again for your honesty. Guess I'll keep plugging away and hope for the best, huh?
Thanks for your honesty
I thought I had seen where MTs were making more money with VR than with straight typing because either they were slow or had problems with their hands.
Sorry negativity and honesty are same in this
NM
Where is honesty and integrity? WHen did it
x
Honesty best policy
I don't think it would reflect badly on your son if you're just honest with the person who hired you about not being able to be on your feet for so long. I would suggest telling him/her that you didn't realize how difficult it would be to be on your feet for so many hours and that you've made a mistake. I think everything should work out just fine in the end :)
There's nothing wrong w/ honesty, it's the nasty
rude, mean, demeaning and downright vicious comments that we're talking about. Just because it's not all "rosy & lucratiive" doesn't mean you can't offer a nice word of encouragement. Why step all over someone's dream just because your dream didn't come true with this industry? Maybe it's not all about the money. Maybe someone is going into this field in order to be at home with their family. You can be honest without being nasty and rude, that's the whole point here. Be honest, tell it like it is, but for heaven's sake, KEEP IT FRIENDLY.
Time for some honesty with the hubs. He'll never know how
s
I have found that honesty is always best. I've quit a job right after receiving the equipment S
because a better offer came along. I have always just been honest, tell them that I've decided to accept another position. I apologize for any inconvenience, ask them to instruct them on how they would like me to return the equipment, and then I always ask that they keep my resume on file. They are usually pretty diplomatic about it. They'd rather you tell them up front than waste their time and yours in training for a job you're not going to be happy with.
I don't have a set schedule
My responsibilities are this:
1. Account A - make sure all of Monday's dictation is due back by Tuesday morning 6 a.m. (they're time). Same for the remainder of the week.
2. Accounts B and C - make sure all of the H&Ps dictated on Monday are transcribed and returned by Tuesday morning 6 a.m., they're time. Same for the remainder of the week.
3. Anything I transcribe Monday is due back 6 a.m. (they're time) they next business day. Ditto for the rest of the week.
This only changes when there's a stat reports.
As long as I meet "the deadline," I can work whenever I want. And I do.
my schedule
I am a hardworking MT who used to be in a managerial position. I am scheduled for 9-1/2 hours daily because I prefer to take breaks rather than work straight through 8 hours. Today, however, I only took a 1/2 hour break, and stopped working an hour earlier than my shift was to end. Now I'm wondering if that was the "wrong" thing to do. I have only been in this job for a few months, and wherever I have worked before, holiday schedules were always pretty "laid back." Now I'm wondering if I will be in big trouble tomorrow. If it makes any difference, my production was higher than usual today, I think because I was trying so hard to get done an hour early. What about this one?
Schedule C
Your schedule C should give you all the deductions that they have taken off of your business income. When you print out all the forms it is there. Have used it for almost 15 years now and (knock on wood) had a problem at all.
schedule
i work sun through thursday for 2 nationals
I have a set schedule, but...sm
I work 10 hours in a 12 hour window...5-5...working 10 hours in between. I believe this is what she was asking, correct? 
My New Schedule
I also know what you're going through...I had the same issues ALL summer last year. It sounds like my kids may be a little older than yours and are in school, so the last last 9 months have been wonderful, but now summer is back.
I spent a lot of time hashing over a schedule that would work out for me, my family and my account and came up with this: M-F 6-9 am and then 6-9 pm and a few hours early Saturday morning. I am able to vary this schedule a little bit so that also helps, but so far I LOVE my new schedule. It gets me up and going in the morning and I really don't miss sleeping in a little longer like I thought I would. It gives me the whole day free with the kids or for getting odd jobs done around the house, and and then I just work a few hours in the evening which gives my husband some summer time with the kids too. Then we have the weekends as a family.
I know everyone's needs/schedules are different, but I just thought I'd share this schedule in case it would work out for you. I really dreaded summer coming, but now I'm really enjoying it.
Also, don't stress over the house...it just gets messy again anyway. It's SO not worth worrying about. I used to keep a spotless house, but now I'm just expecting my kids to help out more (which is good for them) and I have to accept the job they do and be thankful.
Good luck. 
Also, the MQ does not have IC, only PT and FT, so they do set schedule. (nm)
x
you do not need a tax ID # - just use the Schedule C - sm
and Sch. SE on your taxes. Write off as much as you can in your expenses, phone line, computer, paper, ink, chair, desk, electricity, etc. ---and no you do not need to incorporate; unless you become a big company I would not bother with that.
IC = no set schedule
The IRS will tell you the same thing. If you meet TAT there is no need for further restriction. If it was to log in to check for stats or something I might be okay with it and understand it but if this is not the case, you need to stand your ground because if you start being treated as an employee it is bad news for you and those you work for if the IRS decides to audit.
my schedule...
I said I worked 55 minutes and took a 5-minute break... I only work a 6 hour shift anyway. If I have to go to the bathroom, I go. I usually go when I get up to stretch my legs though if I have to.
Yes, I have a man in my life, and yes he interrupts me a lot, which is one of the reasons I don't get a lot done. No, I do not have kids at home, they are grown.
I don't know what the problem is? I only posted what happened to me when I decided to see how productive I actually could be.
I did not say this had to be done all day every day, I did not say there were not exceptions to the rule, I did not say that this was what MTs had to be forced to do.
One of the problems with MTs not being considered professionals anymore is because we want the job, but we do not want the responsibilities that come along with being a professional.
Do you know that when I used to work with children at home, the kids were always asking me why I could not play with them instead of playing on the computer all day. Well, you know what, I changed to 3rd shift so that they would not think I was playing by myself all the time instead of playing with them.
This is still a job. Some of us have to earn a living at it and not just do it for the extra income. You are running your business like you want to, I am running my business like I want to.
I don't consider anything about this a sweatshop. I want to make at least 2000 lines a day and I want to do it the fastest and easiest way I can - I do not want to spend all day in front of the computer. I want to be able to turn it off and be done with it at some point.
Now, sorry if I rambled, got off point, got off subject, but darn, I am kinda getting ill now with everybody jumping on me!
what? i have a schedule to work.
i said it sounds like a mgmt problem. it does. mgmt is who allows people to work off schedule.
geez, get over it.
I'm an SE. I decide my schedule.
That is my current contract with my employer.
I don't even have to ask to work past my schedule. I don't have ask off. All I have to do is say I'm not working my planned schedule. That's all. However, I don't do business that way.
I keep my schedule and then I am usually asked to work more so I do.
I've worked at this place for years and I have never been limited on how much work I do. That will change shortly but after several conversations with upper management, there will be opportunity for overtime.
If you are an employee, not statuatory or IC, then you are more restricted in what you do. That is very true.
It's just not what I have been working as all this time for this particular employer.
If you try to control your IC's schedule
in the eyes of the IRS? If that is the case, I would encourage your "ICs" to ask for benefits.
I always work off-schedule when there
is the need. What I am talking about is those who not only work their schedule, but other MT's schedules as well and take work away from others. To answer your question, the type of MT business where other MTs are allowed to infringe on someone else's schedule after already working their own, is definitely not my idea of how the MT business should be run. Greed is ugly no matter how you try to dress it up and make it pretty.
Do you want to make your own schedule,
ICs make their own schedule, employees punch in and out as a regular employee would with a schedule, but you would possibly get benefits, etc. It is just really a personal preference.
following a set schedule is only one of several criteria used by IRS
to determine if person is employee or IC. Regardless, I think you would not find many IC's jobs that actually let you work whenever you feel like it. I mean, the work is promised back to the client by a certain time so how is that going to happen unless people follow a schedule?
work schedule
Is it just me? Every single company that I have investigated is now insisting on a schedule of either Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday. Why can't I work Monday-Friday?! I don't mind a rotating weekends a couple times a month, but I'd really like to have my weekends for me and the kids! Okay my vent is over...I feel a little better now.
Frustrated with schedule
I work for a large national company. I was told that EVERY time I was away from my computer, I needed to have Pre-approved time-off. Even if you are gone for 15-20 mintues to taxi your kids somewhere. We only get 2 flexes per month. I am part-time and have no benefits. I also have trouble making the daily line counts. Sometimes with kids things come up and you need to take them somewhere and this can happen more than 2 times per month. Thanks for letting me vent. Any suggestions are welcome!!
How about when you give a schedule but...
pretty much have to be available 24/7 because there is not enough work during your scheduled hours to meet quota?
my crazy schedule
work for company A: Mornings (Tues-Sat) approximately 10-12 sometimes 9-12. Monday 2-6 , then make dinner , 7-11 pm work again go to bed "early" on Monday night. Usually work 2-4 hours on Sunday afternoon/evening. Sunday morning church, Sunday night watch a DVD or something (love Netflix)
company B (this company has plenty of overtime available): sometimes do a few hours Monday morning, Tuesday-Thursday 12:30-pm 6 - dinner - 7:30-12 am , Friday and Saturday 2-6 - dinner - 7:30 - 1 am.
don't take too frequent breaks - once in a while to make tea. too many breaks is bad for my concentration. and so is checking my e-mail on my PC. (but sometimes I do).
Beg to differ - Schedule C with your sm
business expenses - 100% deductible.
If the only problem is the apt schedule being-sm
hard to read, I would have the boss speak with the clinic and see if some improvment/change can be made on that end.
If that is not the only reason and you are happy with the amount of time/money I would ask to be changed to another account.
I used to work the same schedule.
This is what worked for me:
You have to stay in the graveyard shift even on weekends. It won't work trying to change on weekends. If you choose to work through the night, you'll need to live that schedule 7 days a week.
If you are sleeping immediately after your shift, you might need to allow about an hour to relax or settle a bit before attempting sleep. I always allowed myself to get a hot shower before going to bed. Helped me relax.
Don't drink any caffeinated beverages the last 4-5 hours of your shift. Don't drink/eat anything the last 2 hours before you plan to go to bed. It all interferes with sleep.
I had sound/light-cancelling window treatments in my bedroom and used a sound machine with nature sounds, not music. Music tends to engage your mind rather most of the time.
The ear plugs, I tried and did not like. Dark mask, I tried and did not like. I sure did not want to take any drugs just to get sleep.
You might have to have a few rough days/nights to get into it. Don't nap. Only sleep when you're supposed to.
Not everyone is cut out for it. And it is damaging to the body. I remember seeing a news documentary on the effects of 3rd shift on heart disease being as significant as smoking a pack a day.
holiday schedule?
Just wondering how other companies/hospitals handle the holiday schedule so as to where you will not be working the same holidays two years in a row. I am working at a hospital and this is my second year in a row working Christmas. I have worked two July 4ths in a row, too. When I asked about it, was told it is just how it falls, but if i could come up with an easier solution, to let her know. There are some companies that ask you to choose 1 winter holiday and 1 summer holiday to work, and the next year you do another. Any other suggestions on how this can be handled fairly? TIA
Actually, they can dictate a schedule and even pay.
It's not a black and white line on those issues. It is very gray and very subjective.
A client/company can state when they want the work done (time frames) or even how much they are willing to pay and even other issues.
Our working at home blurs the line and casts so much problem in defining this accurately.
But yes, they can definitely define those factors.
work schedule - sm
Last summer, I was running out of work all the time, using PTO and time off without pay and making up time at night to try to make my lines. After much soul-searching, I decided to change my schedule to evenings. My CCM allowed me to "try" the new schedule for two weeks and see how I liked it. Like you, when I run out of my BOB, I work on other accounts. I have only run out of work a few times since last summer (mostly when the system went down for some reason). There is plenty of work during my shift, and I consider myself quite malleable when it comes to covering other shifts (like you) when requested, working overtime when the work is heavy, and picking up new accounts. I do not consider this an injustice. I consider it an opportunity. I guess that is why I have lasted in this field for so long. MTs have to learn that they are not self-employed. They work for a COMPANY. That means they are committed to the company's needs. At least that's my attitude. I enjoy my work, have good rapport with my CCM, and have a sense of pride in what I do, and - did I mention? - I am also making a living at it.
2005 Payroll Schedule
The payroll schedule for MedQuist states PayDate as 07/11/05 (Monday).
That's interesting. What is the schedule like for all year?
:-)
Mine too. I check on a schedule, and it's always right on.
nm
If greedy MTs would work their schedule...
management would not have to remind them to stop stealing work from another MTs schedule.
A question for you who work off schedule.
Do you also cherry pick in order to get those all important lines and extra bucks? It would seem to me that someone who doesn't care about his fellow MTs as far as line counts, would be someone that doesn't care across the board. So screw them any way you can, right? Take all the lines your greedy little hands can grab and also make sure those lines are the cream of the crop, as well. Might as well give the other MTs the shaft all around.
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