I do not see how everyone can stick to an exact schedule.
Posted By: mtathome on 2005-11-29
In Reply to: I am not a whiner and have been in - Opinions please!
I have been doing this for years, and in my experience MT is feast or famine. Only in instances where incoming work is totally even every day can you work a set schedule and everybody have work all the time. Some companies require you to work a scheduled shift, and for the life of me I do not know how they distribute the work evenly. I have been an employee and an IC and in both instances had to work when the work was there. I call taking the "good" work and skipping the "bad" cherry picking. The company should never allow this. Even if I had the ability to log in on someone else's account when I knew that was work meant for that person, and they could get it done in TAT, I think that is simply stealing lines. However, if a person is willing or able to work outside their "schedule", and the company is okay with this, I do not see that is taking away work from someone else. Blame whoever distributes the work, because they should have the technology in place to block your access to unauthorized accounts.
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most all MTSOs allow you to "pick" your schedule as long as you stick to it. nm
;
Not to stick up for the guy, but
at least he threw a "sorry" in there (unless, of course, it was a sarcastic-sounding "sorry"). Maybe he just couldn't hold it back? Guess that's kind of another "universal language."
Ah, yes, I do know where you can stick it...
but your head is already in the way. 
I feel very sorry for you and your pitiful outlook. Personally, I like to find the lighter side.  It makes for a much happier life.
But I'm an IC because I don't want to stick to SM
a schedule. So I should do what you want? I want to work when the work is there.
My regular position assigns work. I do that and when I'm finished, that's it. So there's no cherries going into this bowl. I detest cherry-picking anyway and would never do it, nor would I skip a job because it is "hard" to do.
But you guys are thinking everybody should do what you want to do so that you can be elsewhere to do whatever it is you want - drive your kids somewhere or wake them up or whatever - and not have to pay a price for it.
And if you think your MTSO isn't thrilled to have that work done in double-time, think again.
FYI, I usually STICK UP for WM. You don't know who I am.
x
Way to stick it to the man! sm
Yes, I have learned in order to keep up, sometimes you must "stick it to the man." Otherwise, they will try to get away with as much as they can. I have been at this hospital almost 7 years, and you would be amazed and some of the things they have tried to pull. The only reason I'm still there is because it's my comfort zone and the pay is competetive, I work from home. I am a single mom and must have the stability they offer of an hourly wage, benefits, etc. More Power To Ya!
Stick it out sm
I would hang onto that job as long as they are willing to let you struggle along. You will never be sorry. Where else can you pick up that kind of experience and get paid at the same time? Be sure to keep a notebook, alphabetize it and study it when you get home. You will be invaluable in the future. Most hospitals are outsourcing these days and you will be multi-talented and the future will be yours. Please take my advice and tough it out. Been there and not sorry.
Stick with it....
I agree with Gloria. But what may surprise some (from my experience anyway) is that even though I've been doing this for 15+ years, I still have to leave blanks, in fact, a day without any blanks is a red-letter day for me. I should add I do 95% ESL docs and it amazes me that QA is able to fill in the blanks most of the time (yes, there are some even they cannot get). And to any new MTs starting out, most of the blanks turn out to be regular words, or are routine phrases that are slurred over. And, until you have done a huge amount of varied transcription reports it takes a while to become familiar with the thousands of drugs, and then there are new ones coming out. We just can't know it all. That is why there is QA. It does get better, so hang in there. As Gloria says, if you care enough and are smart enough to ponder about it, you're doing fine!
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!
I really hope you stick with it
If you ever want to talk to someone who understands this, i've left my email. I have many coping strategies that seem to work for me that helps me be around people more, so I don't get too isolated like I used to. Being alone is just too depressing for me, even though I need to be for the most part. Take care. 
Let's see now...it means stick it...
hmmm...stick it....gosh! I haven't been in banking for a while, so I'll have to get back to you on that. 
Stick to your guns
They all think being a grown up is so great until they get there. Stay strong. If you give in and let her jump ahead then tomorrow she will become bored with this and want something even more. They grow up soon enough.
I'd say stick with teaching.
This is not an industry I'd recommend anyone to enter anew for so many reasons:
1. Inconsistent pay and work available.
2. No respect from employers who lie to us and treat us like second class citizens. Slavery went out in the Lincoln administration, people.
3. No respect from people whom I tell what I do for a living.
4. No future in this job. Voice recognition and outsourcing are putting it in the same category of obsolete occupations as the blacksmith.
Be glad you have a career to fall back on in case the MT one doesn't pan out, but I sure wouldn't put any money into learning how to do something that's going to cease to exist in the next decade.
tell them to stick the BOS2
down the garbage disposal.
However is in charge of this book needs to get on Tegretol, to control their bloody mood swings.
What next? You can only transcribe using the DVORAK keyboard?
We should make a stick about this
on the New MT board. My recommendations are: apply and test anyway and every single place that will let you. You will get turned away by some, but others will let you test to see how you do. Also, call/visit/mail every phys office, clinic, hospital in your area and inquire about open positions. Even just fill-in for vacations/sickness will get your foot in the door. Best of luck!
Stick around - you will find out. sm
Basically, it is a hostile reply to whatever you post. Most are insulting and in the reply is a lot of jumping to conclusions you never meant in the original post.
I am trying to do the same, tho DH is a stick (5ཇ @ 163) - sm
plus our 2-year-old lab is a bit wide in the girth herself....her name is Maggie though considering changing it to Hoover as she sucks in everything and anything (don't think she even chews). So I have about 60-70 pounds to sweat off and she has about 20 probably (80 pound female lab). Interesting idea about the meals....I am just doing protein shakes, salads and lots of chicken, DH cooks for himself and the kids (I am not a good cook, great baker though). Good idea with the dogs though (we have 2 I can take turns with), I need to get a set routine myself and do the same thing!
Definitely need to set some rules and stick to them -
I also had contractors working in my house a few years ago, so I can totally relate. The phone was also ringing off the hook. I had people knocking on the door (contractors) at all hours because they knew I was here. I finally just about had a nervous breakdown and told my husband if he did not take some of these calls or come home to meet some of these people I was quitting my job. Low and behold, he took the wheel and I got to actually sit and work. He said he did not realize how stressed I was over all this. Maybe this will work for you? Good luck. :-)
I usually stick with buying........
...mine from the tattoo shops. However, I most recently bought one at one of those little jewelry stands in the mall and I haven't had any problems with it.
LOL-guess I will just stick
with the laptop. That is if I can get my transcription platform loaded. Had trouble yesterday and haven't had time to try again! Thanks anyway!
Just stick it out until your contract is up - sm
then they will offer you all kinds of deals to keep you and their competitors will offer everything under the sun to win you. Use the VCR until then.
Why does it take kahoonas to stick up for
x
Stick to it, don't quit sm
You have to stick to your guns and keep your chin up. I think your husband does not appreciate what you are going through. No one completely understands this profession unless they have walked the walk. It's very difficult work but it is also rewarding (to me anyway). I fully understand because my family did not completely understand what I did or what I went through either, but you get better and faster with time and you hopefully will earn a decent wage with more time. I have known many who work at home, or in a hospital or office and no one understands or appreciates them, they think they can run errands, answer phones, take kids to appointments, etc. They do not understand turnaround time, client demands, ESL's, job stress, etc., they don't think it's a "real job." Hang in if you really like this profession, you will not get accolades from many or perhaps never from anyone at all, but you will have the upper hand once you gain more experience. I used to want to have a day where all the docs were locked in a room and made to do some ESL's dictation all day. They would rip their hair out. Docs are not always the ideal spouses. My son went to grad school with a doc's wife and he kept calling her using the "F" word and telling her to "quit" and my son encouraged her to stay and get her master's degree in a health-related profession, I think she probably makes more than he does now. Don't let it get you down, please.If you plan to have a family, it will work out. I put my kids through college with my MT money. It was worth it. Just don't work for nothing, charge appropriately and don't work free for your hubby or his buddies! 
you cannot stick a post anywhere;
nm
Stick with your tapes for now
With your years of experience you should get plenty of work. Most small private practices use tapes. Once your business starts to grow and you have more operating capital, then you can invest in some digital equipment if you want.
Good luck to you and don't be afraid to go for it. I did and never looked back. Let us know how it goes!
Stick a fork in me....
In the past 15 years, I have worked for no less than 20 (yes 20!) national services. Some are still around and some have been gobbled up by the giants, but almost all either ran out of work, shorted my paycheck, or just plain sucked (no communication, crappy supervisors, screwing with lines, or just plain dishonest). I've worked MT and QA. I've worked for a three hospitals in my time, one of which laid all the MTs off to save money by outsourcing, and two I had to quit my jobs because my husband was in the military and we moved around quite a bit.
In the last year, I've been laid off (from the hospital mentioned above), took a QA hourly position and was fired from that job due to downsizing (code for sending work to India), and as a VR Editor which eventually just turned into MTing. My last two paychecks were screwed up and I had to fight for my money.
I am now at the end of my rope in this career and I'm ready to just euthanize my dying career. I came into this career a wide eyed innocent girl with high hopes of working at home and being my own boss. I'm leaving a beaten down, used up, cynical woman. It's like a bitter divorce -- my husband (industry) screwed me over so badly, I won't trust anyone again.
So I've taken an in office secretary job at a hospital and in 90 days, I can take advantage of their tuition reimbursement program and go back to school. I should be excited, it's all wide open for me, but I all I feel is bitterness at being back at square one after all these years.
So to all you MT newbies or wannabes out there, think twice and then think some more before jumping into this career field. It's a trap.
I am looking at the exact same car!
I can get a 2006 Toyota Prius for about $24,000. That is not much more than I paid for my 2004 Ford Taurus that also accepts ethanol but where I live they don't make ethanol. :(
I have to get on a waiting list at the dealer. Also, I read too that there is a $3000 tax credit which would help to offset the price which I don't think is too bad anyway. :)
Please let us know if you get one and how you like it. :)
I'm doing the exact same as you. sm
I got out of MT for about 3 years and just recently started again part-time at the hospital so that I can put myself through college. So I'm just using and doing this as a means to the end to start all over again doing something I want to do.
Best of luck to you MTBlab.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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~
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.
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.
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).
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