my schedule
Posted By: Ok, Sandy here's one for ya on 2006-01-01
In Reply to: Um, OK. You can think I'm "crazy" if you want - Sandy
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?
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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.
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.
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).
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.
I'm curious why you think others should adhere to a schedule SM
simply because you did. If you are an employee and work a set schedule, you weighed your options and chose "employeehood" for the benefits it affords. The IC chose "IC-hood" because she needed something other than what you needed.
Why is this your business? If you have a problem with how the powers that be at your company distribute work, take it up with them, not with another MT.
I do not see how everyone can stick to an exact schedule.
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.
Taxes (schedule C for SE): What business
x
Never said she was big...maybe it is stress, not on an eating schedule, whatever.
Not that she needed to at all; she just did! Sorry!
As an IC? No schedule commitment or production min/max.
If you mean employee status, here's my starting list:
-- NO ESLs
-- You provide equipment
-- Base rate 10-15 cpl
-- Incentives per hour; no matter how many hours you type on a schedule, if you do 101-125 lph then you get X, 126-150 lph = X, 151-175 lph ... you get the drift
-- Insur that has providers WHERE I LIVE and costs less than $200/mo for family coverage including dental and presc drugs
-- Wkly telephone conf with mgrs and other employees
-- Regular QA feedback
-- PAID HOLIDAYS (hourly pay for holidays not worked and double base line for holidays worked)
I'll work on that list for you a bit, though! lol
As long as the MT meets TAT a set schedule - sm
in terms of set hours does not matter. I have about 22 hour TAT, as long as I have my work in by my scheduled time they don't care when I work, as long as it is done. Now the MTs that call up that morning and so, "Oh, I don't feel like working today" or "Something came up", yes I understand that is not good. You were counting on them to work as they had not scheduled off. You (the MT) need to give adequate notice, not call the day you want off. Where I work wants you to advise them as soon as you can in writing. I generally schedule days off anywhere from 2-4 weeks in advance, though you can do it a week in advance as well; and they understand genuine emergencies or health problems, grant some people have 1 every week and that is a bit much. My manager puts up with a lot of garbage from MTs that think they are the holy grail of MTs. From what I can tell where I am there truly are few good MTs in the U.S. They all want top of the line pay for as little work as possible, don't follow format, don't take critisim well, and don't follow instructions at all. Many say they have tons of experience and plain stink at their job, either in medical content knowledge or in grammar. I have thought about getting my own accounts in time (only 4 years experience though) but the thought of actually getting enough work where I'd could hire a few MTs gives me pause to think since I know what my manager deals with every day. Sorry for going off on a tangent on the schedule subject, just amazed at some people's attitudes.
Social Security will take it from your Schedule C
Social Security will take your earnings from your Schedule C that goes onto your 1040. Whatever amount you declare and pay your self employment taxes on (15.75%) is the amount that they will use for your yearly earnings.
Honesty about working schedule
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.
I love the flexible schedule!
I decided to stick with MT because of the schedule. (Plus, I can make more money in 6 hours of MT than 10 hours at a regular job with commute, lunch, breaks, etc.) DH and I had a long lunch yesterday at my favorite restaurant. I was able to drop off and pick up the kids at school, and be there for their sports practice. This next week is a Thanksgiving feast at the kids' school, so I get to go to that, too. I clean during the day while I'm working, so the house isn't a total pigsty.
I have to work a schedule for each company.
I have lots of breaks in my schedule though. I've done this a long time. In my younger years, I went through a phase of feeling burned out but I was able to work through it. Now, I know how much money I need/want to make and just do it.
Some days it is much more difficult than others. Gotta admit to that. Most of the time, though, I hit it pretty hard at the first of my shift with each company so by the time I'm finishing up, I don't have to work as hard.
I get copies of the schedule from the offices. sm
you are an IC, so you can call the shots. You can let them know that if you don't receive the work by a certain time, you will assume there is none, something of that sort. If you need a day off, give them advance notice and don't "ask" them for it, because you are an IC so you set your own schedule per IRS rules. You do not need their permission, per se. Obviously, we accommodate the docs as much as possible to keep the accounts, but only to a certain extent. We shouldn't be on call for them 24/7, either. They wouldn't wait all day for a patient that may or may not show (and sometimes even charge if the patient is a no-show!!) If you wait and wait for work, play their game and put it in writing that you will charge for your time -- and then DO it. A few extra charges on the old invoice will likely bring about a change. ;)
Even with the schedules provided, the docs can and do change them at the last minute, so there's no way you can ever know for sure, but at least you can have SOME idea what's going on if they provide them. The way I see it, if he tells you he will be out, then that's what you go by. Even if the staff can't verify it (strange, since most docs are highly reachable by staff), you've heard it straight from the horse's mouth so if you want to take that opportunity to have a day off, let the staff know you'll be off that day, period.
If the doc changes his mind and comes in that day, well, I'd still take the day off if I made plans. Keep that saying in mind that poor planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on your part. If they don't like it, then maybe they'll make better future efforts to keep you in the loop.
re Dr wife and new charge schedule
I do have 2 other contracts and informed them that I had sent in my resume and that the new office might call for a reference on me. He told me he would gladly give me a good one - then the wife started confronting me and asked/told me that she knows I will resign because this is how it starts... and that I will not be allowed to just go but will have to keep working until she can find somebody else as it will take a long time (MTs in town know this doc & wife and won't work for them). I am a foreigner so I eat more of his nonsense than others but I think I have had enough! I will basically have to wait for payday and then tell them Im leaving you cold turkey or it will be a long dragged out nasty situation as she will just tell me she cannot find somebody to replace me. They have tried and this is the 2nd time I have gone back, first they got somebody in-office and let me go, then they got her back and let me go and then she walked out and they got me back again. I do have 11 years of exp and the new contract I have I can get more work if I want. Im just wondering if I won't be better off working my 40 hour week and having a life in the eve and weekends since my body is really giving me a hard time because Im working such long hours every day, 7 days a week to make not even what I can get at $10 p/h x 40 hours p/w.
schedule for those doing pool work
I mentioned this in my previous post, but thought I would post a new topic since it is specific to pool workers.
Can those of you who do pool work tell me how you schedule your day? Do you aim for XX lines, XX hours, etc.?
Also, do you sit down for a straight XX hours or do batches?
Thanks,
Vicki
they prob can dictate a schedule
no tx... find a new job that is IC and doesn't demand a schedule; quit feeding the hungry MTSOs that only want to pad their pockets... UGGHHH!
Most jobs want a set schedule for work at home, from what I can tell -sm
there are very few that allow you to work when you want to anymore. I have 2 luckily that are 24 hour TAT so as long as I meet deadline they don't care when I work. You will unlikely find an at home job where you make much more than $10 an hour since ESL is 80% of any job anymore. So if that trade off is worth it for you, less money, more freedom, go for it.
No, though my husband does use it to print out his work schedule for
but that is it. He has his own work laptop but no printer to it. Kids have my old computer to use for now but Santa is bringing a new one supposedly (Uncle and GPs say they are buying one, we will see).
We were specifically instructed to work our schedule
and that working off the clock was not permissable, that nowhere was working off the clock permitted. That if the acct required us outside of our shift, we would be called by management. It is to prevent taking work from the scheduled MTs (as well as unapproved OT.
So, I am not dreaming this up. This was made clear. They gave us a shift to work, we clock in and clock out during those shifts. If they need us after our shift is up, they will contact us.
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