The way you describe your situation ...
Posted By: So Very Tired on 2007-10-06
In Reply to: My take on that is that alot of it is pure FANTASY. - Minimum Wage
is just as if you had a crystal ball and were describing mine. I can't see where it's possible at all any more to make a decent living in this profession without working yourself to a frazzle ... and it's only going to get worse.
I love this type of work, but I can no longer sit by and make little better than minimum wage chained to this computer for hours on end after having paid my dues with over 20 years of experience.
There's just got to be a better way ...
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Unfortunately, the situation you describe is TRUE IC status.
Did you commit to working xx lines per day or accepting xx minutes of dictation each day? If so, it's not the company's problem if your daily routine changes and you have to work hours that are not convenient to you. A true IC gets the work done in a timely manner, no excuses. Your vent is exactly what gives WAH such a bad rap.
HOW is it different? Please describe. nm
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Describe your workspace!
Big desk, small desk, filing cabinets, books on shelf, books in drawers?
Organizational tips?
What you describe is not unique to MT
I've worked in manufacturing (production control & customer service) for many years and realized that EVERY company, EVERY manager can do a better job at motivating and communicating with their employees. However, many managers do not know what to do or how to. They have their own managerial style and they “apply” that to everyone they supervise. A good manager will figure out each person working for them and determine what novitiates that person. Some like to be praised in public. Others want a private encouraging word. Each person is different and has different expectations. The grass is not always greener on the other side. I’ve learned that too many times in my career! BTW, I am considering enrolling in an MT course and read this board and others for information to help make my decision. This was a topic I just HAD to chime in on because this is true of ALL companies… Wal-Mart, GE, Walgreen’s, Ford, Kroger etc. Looking at the big picture, doesn’t it all boil down to how good are you at relationships and making them work?????
thanks for helping to describe
what I cannot - and Jim is the guy that I talked to, also. I wanted to jump through the phone and kiss him when I finally found one to replace my old one. I am so glad someone knows what I am talking about.
Describe your workstation!
Hi, All,
I thought it would be fun to describe workstations. I get extremely bored with work sometimes. At various times in my career I've had different ways to combat this--once my office area (bedroom) looked out on beautiful woods. At another time I had a small TV on my desk which was usually tuned to QVC (usually muted) during work (that was a deadly habit that had to go!). Yesterday I bought a 2-1/2-gallon fish tank and have had fun filling it with gravel, plastic plants, a bridge and two creatures--a male betta fish and a golden apple snail. During the workday it's nice to kind of glance over and see what the critters are up to. The drama currently is that the betta is no too keen on having a snail in his tank, even though the pet store reassured me that he wouldn't mind and that there was enough space for the two of them.
As for the rest of my workstation, I keep it pretty clear of clutter. I have a river stone that has JOY carved on it, purchased at a fair trade shop. I have a few fortunes from fortune cookies promising nice things about money. There's a small black-and-white cat figurine that's supposed to be a creative muse. He looks just like my tuxedo cat, so I liked him right away. To the right is a mug that has the Chinese symbol for "fortune;" I've filled this with highlighters. And there's a card holder (a piece of wood with a carved slit in it) that I place inspirational cards in. Usually before work I'll draw a card and place it there. Sometimes I'll glance over and take a look at it. I figure if my mind picks up some good messages subliminally during the day, it's a good thing!
So...please share! What do you have on your desk? Pictures welcome!
Can you describe the wallpaper ;-) Not for any other reason than...
x
I'll describe the packaging for you (sm)
These are just little no-frills ear buds (black). The packaging is about the size of a soda can and is primarily yellow and red with black lettering and says "Stereo Ear Buds" on the front. The Maxell brand is listed on the back.
but if the same scenario you describe existed 30 years ago, you would not know because
x
Could you share a link? I looked there and didn't see what you describe.
x
Contact Start/Stop at their website and describe your pedal and ask them. They were very helpful
s
Cumbersome is a good word here to describe Meditech. The designer obviously doesn't type.
cc
Describe your dream job in one sentence. (anything goes; it's a dream job.)
My dream job would be straight transcribing half oncology and half psychiatry on a flexible schedule Monday through Friday as a statutory employee for a reputable company with decent dictators at 11 cents per line (a fair living wage for 17 years' experience), first shift.
It will. I was in the same situation.
Mom was a total bipolar psycho - one day she loved being my friend and the next day she "didn't want to talk right now". I haven't seen or spoken to her in 20+ years and the kids drifted apart shortly thereafter. Good riddance.
sad situation
 I know what you're feeling. We have a similar situation in our community. My daughter is friends with the older sister and I graduated with the mom, so she and I went to visit the day after. I know what you mean about flowers and food. I am planning to go visit again in a few days and take some soup that she can just put in the freezer and heat up anytime. I also bought some cards that I am going to send over the next few months just to let the family know we are thinking of them. It's a very sad situation. Hope this helps.
Everyone and their situation are different. sm
I had to do that, and it hurt, still does at times, but it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Basically, I had to do it to save myself from her constant criticism and bitter remarks. I know how you feel. Just try it and see how it goes, thats all you can do. If something hurts you that badly, get away from it.
You and I are in the same situation.
My goal is a minimum of $100 per day now. (My old goal was $50 per day with kids home most of the time.) I spend a lot of wasted time looking up patient and physician information, and I'd like to be more focused, too! I tried job searching but I don't have time to do these huge long tests on top of working with the kids still home for summer. There are some days when I just cruise through and do 200 lines without an Expander on an easy account. I'm getting better, so I'm not going to dog myself over it. I look back to what I was producing only six months ago, and I've improved a lot. The Word Expander helps a lot. I just wish I could get better and make more money in less time. LOL Ah, the elusive dream....
My situation
In my opinion, it is all about how much money you need or want to make. Obviously, working only part-time will bring in much less than money than full-time.
In my personal experience, having done this for 7 years, you most definitely can achieve your goal of becoming a productive and excellent transcriptionist. I have averaged only about 1.5 to 2.5 hours a day for the last 7 years and am satisfied with that. I work on multiple accounts and can type on an average of 300 lines per hour. There is no limit to what you can make! The more you type - the more money you will make - BOTTOM LINE!
I am in the same situation.
Just got a letter about the insurance and quota. I don't think they grasp the concept of no work, no quota.
OK....here's my take on the situation....
It sounds like you're fresh out of school...right? I think 87 lines an hour is not too bad for only three days of work!! This will take some time! You will never become your best because you will get better every single day that you do it!! In other words, in five years, you will STILL be learning and getting better!! Stop beating yourself up! And more importantly, don't give up!!! This is not a job that just anyone off the street can do!! This is a "learn as you go" job! Keep at it!! You WILL improve every day. Good luck and let us know how it's going from time to time!!
Nearly the same situation here
Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time. I am in almost the exact same situation that you are in, minus the new account. I am fortunate to be on a great account, but my 10-year-old son does feel sad that I work so much. My work hours are nearly all during his time off (i.e., after school and on weekends). It is definitely hard to balance time with him and work. It doesn't help that my husband works a lot as well. Oh, and we also have no family in the area .
As far as advice goes, I guess the only advice I can give is to be patient with him, although you probably already are. When I take work breaks, I try and make the time extra special. And if he needs me while I am working, I try and respond immediately without an unhurried tone, which really helps. If you act relaxed, they also tend to feel relaxed. I know it's hard when you are stressed, but try and it may help. I also emphasize how the "extra money" from mommy's job allows us to take vacations and buy little extras here and there. He understands the concept of extra cash.
I guess the best points to remember are: Be patient, act relaxed, spend quality time together during your breaks, and maybe allow 10-15 minutes before bed to read a story (if you don't already). Hope this helps a little. 
I also have RBS. :-) My situation is the same every day. SM
I am sent 150 minutes of dictation on a list. This is in my Lanier queue and my only challenge is to see how fast I can do it. My goal is 30 dictated minutes per hour.
I use Timestamp.com and keep up with my time every day. I type till I don't feel like it, then I go somewhere else.
I use Shortcuts for Windows and my own version of macros.
I feel that I'm as successful as I can be. If there are other shortcuts to be taken, I've not found them.
same situation here..
My brother did the same thing after my folks died. I finally figured it out ---- we really love each other, but just don't have a lot in common or have big conversations -- so he invited other people to converse and act as kind of a "comfort buffer" for him.
What would you do in this situation?
I work for a small MTSO, (this is my second job) always have had plenty of work until the last month or so, have been told it was just "slow" - have a friend who works for another small MTSO in the same state - yesterday she told me that the company I work for has hired them to do some of their work, which I guess explains why we are slow all the time. More than likely they did this to meet turn around because they were always asking for extra help and now never do, yet I wonder if they are trying to get rid of the higher paid transcriptionists, any suggestions? Don't know if I should just stay and do what work is there or look for something that has work when I need it, feel betrayed because the company said it was slow and now I know different. Like I said it is my second job so not totally dependent on the work being there.
I am truly sorry for your situation....sm
I had nothing when I dumped my ex - no $$ and really not a pot to p*** in.....but I weighed out the pros and cons and my very own sanity won out. My sanity was more important than possibly ending up homeless (which I did not end up being). When I left I remember saying *I cannot wait to be divorced from you one year longer than we are married* - I'm away from him now TWO years longer than we were married and am SO happy I made the decision back in '91 to save myself (and my daughter) and become my/our own Hero.
Best of luck to you...I sure know it is NOT easy.....
They never get it, no one does until your in situation. sm
You have got that right. Like I mentioned in previous posts, I have quit even arguing with my sibling, and have accepted it. They will have to answer for it one day, not me. And the, "I have to work" drives me up the freaking wall -- like I don't. Even my extended family do no realize I have a real job, they will never get it.
I had the very same situation and this is how I
Stop the invites. Get on with your own life. One of the posters suggested getting her alone and talking to her. Forget it. She's either too busy or only around at holidays - she's using you because she has no where else to go. Once you cut her off, maybe she will think twice about being too busy! - Good luck. This worked for me. Now I'm too busy and much happier without the "family-users" who abuse their blood relationship and turn them into guild issues. Too many people think just because their family they can get away with this stuff and consume you with guilt. I suffered for many years because of family-related guilt issues. I'm much happier now since I put my foot down -
what would you do in this situation?
I have a younger sister who is ONLY in touch when she wants to be invited to Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner at my house, to brag about something, or to ask a favor. The rest of the year she tells me she is *too busy* to be in touch more when I ask her why she does not stay in touch the rest of the year. I would like to stay in touch and even have her and her husband over for gatherings, but I really feel as if this is all one sided and wonder if I should continue to try. Any helpful advice would be much appreciated. 
We are in the same situation in VA.
It makes me so mad because that is all the schools teach. SOL....that's all we hear about. The schools push it because that's how they get more money! I don't think it is good for the kids. They may know who invented the cotton gin but they are missing out on learning something special from that "special teacher". Remember those "special teachers" in school who taught you something that wasn't in the textbook!
First of all, I'm so sorry for your situation and wish you the best....sm
Any pt report is open reading for anyone in an office or MT pool situation. Your report could have gone to any one of them. She was wrong to tell you ANYTHING and should be in trouble for that, not what she didn't tell you. I have transcribed reports on close friends, neighbors, even relatives, and I NEVER tell anyone anything. I even try not to let people know who my clients are so they won't know I might see something they don't want me to see. I transcribed a report on a close friend of 20 years who had a potentially fatal disease. I kept quiet about it, and it was a year until she told anyone. That is just part of the business. A good MT knows to keep her mouth shut or risk loosing her job and who knows what else. Again, I am so sorry, and you will be in my prayers.
I have been in this situation
much much better bringing the MT back in-house, but keeping them at home.
tax situation
I am going to be starting a new job as an IC. I have always been an employee or a statutory employee. What are the benefits as far as my taxes? What kind of deductions can I claim now that I could not claim as an employee? I would appreciate any thoughts on this - I know you cannot be accountants for me - just would like an idea... TIA.
Well, the way I see your situation is
you can a) either work and make what you need or b) you can babysit. I think that is what you are saying. Seems reasonable to me- just quit working and take care of the girls. Sounds like a coworker of mine- she is going down the drain working at 1 place, not making any money, offered an evening position with another place- does not want to take because she keeps her granddaughters then- makes good sense to me-
I'm sorry about your job situation
I had something similar happen to me a few days ago. The insurance company that I've been doing transcription work for over 7 years emailed me and told me they were going with a service. I really counted on that money. I do have another MT job so I'm not in the same position as you, but it stinks to be out of a job just like that when you least expect it. Good luck.
EXACTLY my same situation to a T (sm)
I'm going back to finish a nursing degree because I have to force myself to transcribe and I'm tired of working 7 days a week, till 11 every night to make $2000 a month.
I took a week off but I'm so ready to do something else!
Same situation...
I wondered how many were really in the same situation as me...looks like quite a few. I work for three companies--one that is supposed to be full time, one that is about 1/2 time, and one that has always been very part time. Where I used to be limited only by how many hours I wanted to put in, I am lucky to get 5 of 6 hours of work out of all three now. I know it isn't their fault, but I get worried.
Same situation
I had been away from MT for quite a few years myself. I learned in a quick hurry I needed to get more computer literate and to get a word expander. Not all word Expanders work well with different platforms so make sure you check what is compatible with what you will be using before investing in one. I did not want to tie up $3000 in a two-year course online so I went to nearby community college with an MT program and just took a couple of the specific classes related to file management, transcription editing, and advanced word processing.
There is an unpaid internship program you can apply for. It is called AIM. I believe it lasts about 90 days, and you get continual feedback from QA.
Good luck with your reentry.
I was just in the same situation
Make sure that your laptop is compatible with XP before you do anything. My laptop came with Vista and is less than a year old. I finally found a job, but the company required XP. It turns out that my laptop was assembled for Vista, and in order to install XP I had to make my own installation adding special drivers for my laptop. Even if I did this, the video and sound drivers may not work. Video and sound are really important! I am reasonably computer literate, but this installation was a bit over my head, and it may not have worked. The company I bought the laptop from told me that they may not be able to support me after I did this. Great! I figured that it would cost me about $100-200 for XP and $100-200 to pay someone to do the installation. For that kind of money, it is possible to buy a decent second hand with XP on it. I ended up buying an off-lease computer from Tiger electronics that has a one-year waranty. It cost about the same amount of money, but it was faster and at least I got something for my money.
That whole situation just.....
sounds too shady really! I couldn't work for someone who "forgets" to pay me. I would tell them I don't "forget" to do the work and I don't expect to forget to get paid or else I will have to find someone else to work for. That is ridiculously irresponsible of her!
Ok, i have a situation...sm
I am moving to the BOONDOCKS at the end of the month, I find out just now that High speed is NOT available in the area....they only have accelerated dial up. How many of you are still on dial up and do this job? I was on dial up YEARS ago and it worked out fine, but not sure how this is going to work, the platform i use now is iType and even with cable, the downloading of the voice files are slow.
Any suggestions? I sure cannot afford Satellite.
Sorry about your situation
I can hardly take it anymore either. I usually get stuck with an account that i just can't seem to get decent lines and I am more exhausted when I am done. It makes me feel so worthless.
Some have it pretty good in this business and are really suited for it ... not so hot for a lot of us though.
Hang in there. Maybe something good will come of it somehow. : )
I am in a similar situation.
I, along with several other employees, have filed a claim in magistrate court. The company, which was a corporation, has now closed its offices, and are denying that they owe us our last paycheck. We are going to court to fight it, but I am not sure what we will be able to do. The labor board told us that since it was a corporation, and since it is now closed, that they cannot help us.
Tough situation
I really think that what she is doing is wrong and like you said dishones and not loyal to your company. I would definitely bring it to your managers attention.
Why stay in a bad situation?
Sounds like YOU don't have work maybe. But as my own boss, if the company using my services, paying me on production, does'nt have work and thinks I am just going to sit there staring at a blank screen making no money, they are sadly mistaken. I would be out of that situation faster than you could click a mouse. I am in charge of my future, my paycheck, my family's welfare. Why would I give some lousy company control over all of that, if they had no work for me and especially, no money for me.
I am so sorry for your friend and this situation sm
They should try to get a referral to a child psychiatrist (not just a psychologist) immediately. They are the ones equipped to deal with these kinds of serious issues.
I hope they can handle this extremely difficult situation. It truly sounds like Tater is mentally ill.
She is in this situation by her own choice.
puh-leeze
Here's how I'd handle the situation...
First off I'd tell my mom that he's a pig and what he has done.
Secondly I'd never be around him without a recording device turned on in my pocket so that way you can record his comments, and if he touches you or flirts then get a recording of your asking him to not touch or look at you that way and his response. Then play the recording for your mom and other relatives.
While it may be true your mother may go into denial you need to stand up for yourself. My mom was a fool and protected my father when she was told about his untoward advances towards women for years.... and then something happened that made her realize that she had been a fool for years and that he was the one with the problem.
A little more on the particulars of my situation
My son is five-years-old and is in Kindergarten. He receives speech services 4 x per week (2 individual, 2 group)for speech/language delay. He just finished having his fourth evaluation done. This time, it was a developmental evaluation and not just a standard academic assessment that the school does.
We took him to have this done. Our insurance covered this and it was not paid for by the school. We found out that he is classified as having lack of social opportunity and borderline intellectual functioning - part of this as explained to me by the Dr. that conducted the evaluation is low IQ.
In the future, approximately 2-2.5 years from now, he will be reevaluated. It is also possible that he has Pervasive Developmental Disorder but due to his age the Dr. was not able to give us a precise answer on this but it will be entertained in the future.
I myself, have Cerebral Palsy and have gone through the same school system that my is going through right now. His particular situation really makes me angry due to the fact that we now have an evaluation that says he needs more social opportunity and reinstitution of his basic special education services (SEIT) to help him to succeed.
Of course, the school classifies giving him social opportunity as taking him to FAMILY READING NIGHT 1 x per month. I myself feel that this is not enough and that he needs regular social interaction on an outside of school basis to branch out more, which is more than 1 x per month, weekly if possible.
As far as his special education reinstating goes, the CSE chairperson and his teacher don't feel that it is necessary even though they have an evaluation(dated 11/7) that is in there face showing them Dr. recommendations that say it is.
At this point, I am totally frustrated with all that is happening with Joshua, as I don't feel that they are giving him the opportunity to excel and if anything are holding him back by not giving him the services he deserves.
In my honest opinion, I do my best to keep him together but he has spent much of the year thus far frustrated and in tears making comments such as the kids don't like me or my teacher doesn't like me.
That is why I am thinking about homeschooling my son.
Tricky situation for both here.
For you, it's understandably a cautious situation giving them unfettered access.
For them, it's a matter of protecting the information you are in charge of. If your computer visits certain websites, cookies are installed on your system, viruses can be obtained, and a whole host of unwanted information be stolen by others hacking into your system or attached to files you are returning. That information has very specific, strict guidelines for protecting.
Since you are not working on a system that they have provided, they are trying to protect their interest (the security, privacy, and confidentiality of federally regulated PHI).
I had a similar situation at one job.
I was hired with a college degree to do customer service. They hired a guy without a degree to be a representative. I gave my notice because he was sexually harassing me, and they were only paying me $1,300 a month to raise my family of four on with no child support, welfare or social security. They gave me a nice raise of $500 a month plus bonuses, but they promoted him to be manager of another store. Shortly after I finally quit them, he got fired big time and they had to hush-hush everything. He was harassing other female employees, had his drug dealer show up at the store demanding money, and even got his wages garnished for child support on his girlfriend even though he was married to someone else. But hey, ethical and qualified women weren't even given a chance at the job. I've always wondered why I could never get ahead in the business world. I don't know if it's my gender or because I'm too nice and do the right thing.
I think it's a bunch of ****. Sorry your in that situation! nm
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