Well, falling rates of wage growth and rising inflation SM
Posted By: MissIndigo on 2008-08-13
In Reply to: Anyone else have holes in their pockets? It seems like I can't make enough - workinMT
probably have something to do with it. The rate of wage growth has been falling for the past several years, and rising prices are currently more than wiping out whatever "gain" most of us have the notion we've made.
Also, when Rush points out that he and others in the richest 1% pay more than 40% of the taxes, that's NOT good. That appalling division of wealth helps explain why with all the productivity gains in our wealthy country over the past several decades, most of us are seeing our incomes stagnate or even decrease over that time.
We have a general election coming up, by the way.
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"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"
.
Rising gas prices
I am currently paying $3.39 a gallon up here in NY. Heard it may go up to $6.00/gallon possibly before it lowers in price again.
Yes, Libra, with Cancer rising.
Might be growth not losing MTs. xx
xx
Rising costs always causes the consumer to look for another solution
in the MT field, this includes offshore, EMR and SR, and people taking pay cuts. Once everyone around your wonderful doctors are getting the work done reasonably well for much less, they will take a second look too.
PROFESIONAL GROWTH & ADVANCEMENT
I am a newer member and was shocked at the typo I found in the current issue of JAAMT. Maybe they hire editors?? Their actual full page ad for AAMT continues the above typo in my subject line. We should join their passionate group, as they will connect us to all the tools necessary for our PROFESIONAL growth. Oh my! I am a freak about typos in documents, and that just is too much. Tossed that issue in the trash.
No growth hormone, antibiotics or other drugs are used.
No animal cruelty. Completely organic beef, chicken and pork. It's cheaper and better quality than at the grocery stores. If you buy locally, you're keeping your dollars in the local economy instead of further lining the pockets of the Walmart owners and CEOs. We buy our vegetables and fruit from local vendors at roadside stands or farmer's market, too. (Those that I don't grow myself.)
Growth could also be true. MQ has lost a lot of accounts, as have a few of the sm
biggies.
Has anyone kept a list of line rates, report rates, benefits, etc for sm
the different companies out there? I feel lost and confused. It seems like everything is changing daily, and I am not being organized enough to keep up. I am about to actively look for full time employment again but if there was a list, I would be able to sort through a lot more quickly.
Can anyone help? I am going to start keeping a chart myself in case anyone needs this in the future.
Line rates in the Northeast - can anyone advise as to what the going rates are in the NE part of the
country? Specifically Connecticut. I want to make sure I am on target here. Thanks.
The sky is falling! The sky is falling!
x
My E key keeps falling off!
I have worked in quite a few hotel rooms also. In fact, I would not consider one job recently because they could not guarantee an internet platform but were still using phone lines for some accounts.
The Sky is Falling
Please read my post (Slave Wages). As I explained Medquist is paying 5 cpl with voice recognition. Even if one were to produce 10,000/week or 200 lines/day, that would not be enough to live off, especially for a person like me with a daughter. You can laugh it off. Remember they did the same thing to Noah. Keep lowering your prices until you are at 1 cent per job. It will be the best for everybody!!
that sky has been falling since the 80s -
and it hasn't caved yet. Not going to happen - not TOTALLY.
But a backup might be right for you.
Falling asleep...
I don't even need the alarm. I put my head back on the "cushy" part of the chair, tell myself "okay, I need 5 minutes," and I'm out like a light and will wake up 5-6 minutes later! I think the sheer boredom of what we do has a hypnotic effect on some of us and causes this. But you're right, when you wake up you're okay for awhile until the next time, whether it's 1 hour later or 4 or whatever. Glad I'm not the only one.
falling wages...
Unfortuntely, it is true, falling wages for MTs and experience plays not part in it. But, there is a reason for it....as we all are aware, hospitals have chosen to cut their debt by outsourcing medical transcription to India for 1/4 the cost it would be to pay us here in the states. Let's face it...MT jobs here in the states will soon be absolete, and thinking about the wages ever getting better, forget. My advise is for all MTs to seek another source of income before it is too late....i.e. perhaps going back to school or seeking one of the higher paying jobs or at least equal to medical transcription such as Walmarts, Meijers, restaurants, etc...and eh...even get medical benefits, vacation time, etc....I currently receive none of that from my employer and was also told to take a pay decrease as of this 12/02...along with everyone else, so was paying us 10 cents per line, but little trick to that, lines are 70 characters per line with spaces included....everyone does 65 characters with spaces...now from 10 cents to 9 cents and 70 characters per line...hmmmm, I figure I am making 8 cents a line now. Yes indeed, I am out of transcription after 25 years coming this income tax refund check. Transcription has become a degrading job!
Falling off trampoline
They don't have to fall the trampoline to get hurt. They break bones, twist muscles, tendons, on impact with the trampoline. If they hit the coils that hold the trampoline onto the frame and the coil comes loose, they can suffer puncture wounds to the eyes or other parts of their body.
People need to teach safety measures to their kids when they are on a trampoline and never leave them unsupervised on it. It can be fatal.
I am just not worried about VR, EMR, the sky falling and on and on
If the entire medical field goes kerplunk, all you can do is pick yourself off, get another job really fast and heave ho. What else? I have had 2 jobs pulled out from underneath me and I am still here. You can make it also. No use in worrying. I lost a very profitable job to outsourcing years ago and now don’t worry about the fate of Mting.
falling asleep
Yes. I have it also, but mine is a health issue due to not sleeping post laminectomy syndrome. I have found that eating hot chips and/or eating crushed ice really helps. Above all since you are healthy, agree with the others see a doc. Hope this helps in the meantime.
Yep. I was falling asleep sitting up.
I went to the neurologist, and he put me on Provigil. Works pretty good. I'm also switching to an earlier work shift.
My snowflakes are just little falling x's today. Is it just me? nm
5-year marriage falling apart
I need some very serious advice. I have been thinking of leaving my husband for the last year and it is only getting worse. I am so unhappy and don't see it getting any better. He is a great father (we have a 4-year-old), but he has a very limited relationship with my 11-year-old. His real father lives states away and has just recently decided to be somewhat a part of his life. It breaks my heart when my son tries with my husband and he gives a half-hearted attempt or barely acknowledes my son and then pays all this attention to my daughter. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I basically do everything by myself with the kids, he dislikes my family (I'm not very fond either, but hey, they are my family) so I usually attend family functions on my own w/ the kids.
I think we should at least try marriage counseling and take it from there. I am only giving this another 6-12 months though. I deserve a husband who accepts me for me and helps me clean because he realizes I need help, not becuase he can't stand the mess anymore. My son deserves a loving, caring step-dad who will take him fishing or practice baseball with him. Am I making the right choice? When do you know it is the right time to move on? I am so scared. The biggest factor will be raising 2 kids on my own. I am making squat right now.
I need some advice. Mom's not home and I am ready to cry my eyes out.
I made the mistake of falling for that
pitch in 2004 when I applied at TRS. When I left one month later because they kept running out of work and bouncing me around, I learned to disregard any endorsements.
As it was later explained to me, the award is based on employee votes. Depending on how many people vote, it can be determined by just a handful of people. Hardly a ringing endorsement...
Falling ON the floor with that one! LOLOL!!!!
X
Falling asleep at the keyboard
I wondered if anyone has any tips for me. I have been an MT going on six years. Suddenly, whenever I am typing, I am drifting off to sleep (and somehow still typing?). I have tried background noise, getting up and stretching, walking, drinking, eating so much I've gained weight, nothing works! As soon as I start typing, I relax and can't hold my eyes open. Finally, I take a nap but my line count is really taking a hit. This has gone on for several months. I do not believe it is a health issue - I have always been healthy as a horse. I think it is bordom or lack of mental challenge? I really can't see myself moving on to another career. Help! I need to stay awake! Anyone else have this problem?
falling asleep at the keyboard
Actually, I do. If I am a passenger I cannot stay awake. If I am driving, I realize I am halfway where I am going and cannot remember anything leading up to that point (such as lights, stop signs) like I am on autopilot. Maybe I should see a doctor. I appreciate all the responses.
not about sex, about falling in love with a person's spirit
He can still procreate with any woman, but if he feels urges towards men, well thats nature.
I only relisten if I was falling asleep while typing. -nm
x
Heavens no, but in this business the pay is falling as we speak
I have been outsourced twice, once in 90 making almost 60 thousand a year to a 20 thousand dollar decrease for another job and then outsourced again to VR. I used to work extra, overtime, etc. but now I NO LONGER HAVE TO. I can hit over $20.00 per hour, only working part-time, my choice and if other people want to do differently, that is them. I owe no one anything and I do not work harder, if anything easier for me, I love it, I am happy. It may not be for everyone but I don't have to worry about where my next check coming from like in the past. If others do not want to do, let them choose otherwise. The VR I do is an excellent platform, most have very little editing to them and others should get out of MTing if they think they will not be able to afford to make a living doing it.
Love the snow flakes falling on this page!
x
Sorry, not falling for your lame attempt at a playground brawl.
Your life sounds quite gratifying (not)!
LMAO!
You're welcome, thought to be fun. Will be adding falling snowflakes and
/
I just noticed my right thumb twitching. I tell ya I'm falling apart! Last week my rear end and
left leg were going numb and now my thumb is twitching. Ya know how you have your thumb poised above the space bar, well whenever I pause my typing my thumb twitches slightly and softly taps the space bar. I keep rubbing my hand hoping it will stop. Anybody else have this problem?
Maybe I'm getting to old to be an MT anymore. Been doing this for almost 14 years and never so much as had a headache. Now within the last year, I have head, neck and shoulder problems with muscle spasms and tightness, my rear end problems, and now this! Frustrating to say the least! 
Gosh, do you have a Dell laptop. Both mine and my sister's E kept falling off..
We had to call them because then the mouse broke down and so they finally replaced the own keyboard etc..best use of buying a 3-year warranty that I ever saw...especially with Dell.
How cute MTStars - Love the snowflakes gently falling!! nm
x
mostly trees limbs causing damage by falling on wires and rooftops
much minor roof damage and blew signs down around in those towns, enough to tell there was a storm, but NOTHING like further south!
My problem with working outside is falling asleep, what with the birds singing, the gentle
:+
forget the yellow hair and puffy eyes, his entire face is falling
Low wage
that seems awfully low. For instance if you were making even 9 cpl you would be working for 11.25/hr. Who can exist on this? My current supervisor tells me it takes about 30 or more charts to equal 1000 lines. That would take an entire 8 hours and then some maybe. This is very discouraging. I don't like this platform so far.
WAGE
Of course it is lousy. Illegal aliens in my city make more than that flipping burgers. What an insult to us that someone would offer that amount.
Wage vs Need/Wants
At first glance, yes, $12.00 seems low. However, I live in the northeast and I know I cannot survive on that rate of pay. Maybe in other parts of the country $12.00/hr is very survivable. It all depends on your needs/wants.
At $12/hr you are grossing $480/week, $960 bimonthly. Around here, health insurance coverage for one ROUGHLY averages $50/week. Now you are netting $430/week before taxes. Dental plan? Deduct another $10 or so per week. Down to $420/week before taxes. Figure out your monthly expenses and don't forget that ever present anvil-over-your-head factor for unexpected bills. Also, don't forget you need to save some $$ too - after you buy food and pay the monthly bills! Hmmmm...I am getting this image of a rat on a treadmill.
The question you ask is not simple. You have to figure out if $12/hour is good for YOU. It is just not a survivable wage in this part of the country, especially if you have dependents that eat like horses, go to colleges far away, and you live in a state that taxes you up the wazoopie and only has two seasons: winter and 4th of July.
wage
Oh yeah and the wages being offered are even insulting for a newbie. Can I say how disgraceful this is for "trained professionals" to be offered this. The newbie wages run around 8 cpl...but why at 5, 10 or 15+ years is it fair to still be offered that?? Employers please show us some respect and pay us what we are worth. Remember everything in life is "you get what you pay for." These companies wonder why they have such a HIGH turnover rate, HELLO pay us decent wages!!!! Just think if you broke a typist wage, proofreader wage, English major wage, and everything else we are considered and added it all up it is WAY MORE than we get!
min. wage
Oh yeah it is possible to make minimum wage on some accounts especially when you are a newbie. Start out as a newbie and have one of those hard learning hospitals with a lot of ESLs who you hardly ever type the same one twice and add in many residents. Also add in more than just the basic 4 work types on that account such as psych. discharge summ., echo labs, holter monitor reports, treadmills, etc. that you only do every once in a while and aren't familiar with. With all those factors which I have on one of my accounts it is possible to make min. wage. But I have gotten better it seems. I know some people will say why do an account that is so difficult for you? If I can conquer this I can say I have done something I think. It is just a job and as a newbie I can't pick and choose without much exp. so I put on my big girl pants and do it. Just explaining how you could make min. wage with the right factors.
minimum wage is Fed
I know some cities/counties and I guess states have their minimum wage requirement to allow a business to operate. I know some cities in NJ (where I live now) won't allow a business to operate unless they pay minimum around $9/hour. But minimum wage is a Federal standard and is set at $6.XX an hour - that is for all 52 states.
And it is illegal for anyone to pay less. Actually, I found out that if you are working for someone on a production basis and it comes out to less than Fed. min. wage, you can actually file a complaint and recoup wages.
Minimum wage in NY now $6.75 hr - sm
Working at Burger King is looking better all the time!
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/01/nyregion/01minimum.html
We do get hourly wage
during down-time and the only approved down-time is meetings and computer malfunction. Lack of work was not approved so if there is lots of work available we have no worries, if not then we will be scrounging around for work. I don't have time for that. 
I will have to ask my supe if that is how it is because that is how I understand it. If so, I maybe putting in my 2 weeks notice.
At least minimum wage
I worked inhouse for a company. We did not have to be there at any certain time, but we did clock in and out to show how many hours we were there. This was, as the other poster said, to make sure we made at least minimum wage. Also, they figured this by the pay period, not by the day.
Not around here you can't. Minimum wage. sm
I live in the midwest in a rural community. Wages are lower.
IC and minimum wage
I have read on the forum where an IC should make minimum wage. Is this no matter what her line count pay equals? I am new to being an IC and have just accepted a position with a service. Is this true with every service? Do they have to pay you minimum wage? Also, if the service is not in the state where you live does this make a difference? I just figured you were paid for what you produced.
minimum wage
7.00 an hour would only require you to type about 90 lines an hour. Let's say minimum wage is $10 an hour, that would only be 130 lines an hour - I do that in 15 minutes even with my ESL doctors... I say if you are only making minimum wage, this is probably not the field for you to be in.
Less than minimum wage
AND a bad platform, and you are staying? There are jobs out there for way better pay, but you have to start looking! With your four years experience, definitely do not settle for 7 cpl!
I have months when I clear $1500 and I have months when I clear $2000....the difference is ME. Over the past 8 years I have learned to work smarter, more efficiently, and that it is a necessity to have the tools to work with. What good is it if I become an expert swimmer but I'm stuck in a bathtub? If my company's platform would not let me do better, then I'd be testing for other jobs. You are the only one who can do a thing about your income situation.
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