Home     Contact Us    
Main Board Job Seeker's Board Job Wanted Board Resume Bank Company Board Word Help Medquist New MTs Classifieds Offshore Concerns VR/Speech Recognition Tech Help Coding/Medical Billing
Gab Board Politics Comedy Stop Health Issues
ADVERTISEMENT




Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Independent contractor or employee status

Posted By: siren on 2007-06-21
In Reply to: Employment Question - siren

Me again.  Does Transcription Relief hire independent contractors, or are you considered an employee?


Complete Discussion Below: marks the location of current message within thread

The messages you are viewing are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select the boards given in left menu


Other related messages found in our database

Do they offer both statutory employee and independent contractor status? Thank you! NM
NM
IC status (independent contractor) sm

is just like it sounds.  You are contracting work independently from the company.  You pay all your own taxes including the other half of your SS which is called self-employment tax.  They cannot set your hours, but most places like to know an approximate time when you will be working.  I was IC for MQ for years and then they went to SE status where they had a little more control and then this.


Also, because you are IC you get no benefits whatsoever.  You are self-employed.  So if benefits are what you need, this is not for you.  But, if you need the flexibility it may work for you.  It worked for me for years.  Supported a family on it.  It was much better than what they have now.  In my case, I could actually pay my own insurance and disability insurance and still come out better. It just depends on the production you are able to do.  If you have any more questions, feel free to e-mail me.


Independent contractor status
Am nervous about this status as I have never been an IC before, but am willing to try it, just don't want to be highly disappointed.

Employee versus Independent Contractor

http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/laborlaws/l/aa121800.htm


I have read this article (you have to scroll down a little, but I have found it helpful in explaining some things regarding IC vs Employee.  Just wanted to share for anyone who is interested.      


 


Independent contractor versus employee?
Can someone please tell me the difference between independent contractor and employee status?  I was employed for a company about 6 years ago where I was an independent contractor and they didnt take out federal taxes.  I then went to a company as an employee status where they did take out federal taxes out of my check?  As an independent contractor, do they all not take out federal taxes and can you request that they do if that is the case?  I have almost 10 years experience and have been applying for jobs left and right with no response and have only been answering ads for employee based work because of the federal taxes?  I can not understand why I am not getting any responses.  What am I doing wrong?
Independent contractor
I hope I'm on the right board here.  Can someone tell me the perks of being an IC?  Is it just that you can set your own hours?  What does being an IC consist of?  Do you pay all your own taxes, SocSec, etc?  I've always been an employee and exploring new opportunities, but from what I see being an IC looks like a pain, with no benefits!! Thanks!
Independent Contractor..........nm
.
Independent Contractor
Can any of you IC's give me some info on what it is like to be an IC? I know you get paid by the line, but how many lines do you generally average a day/hour? Is there always a lot of work to keep you busy? Also, do you get to choose what hours you want to work instead of having set hours like you do as an employee? I just got hired by Terra Nova and would love any feedback on them as well. Thanks!
Independent Contractor
Thanks for the relys! If you don't mind me asking, which company do you work for? Is it a national company? It sounds like a great job!
Independent contractor
I need some help deciding on whether to take an independent contractor position. I was just offered 0.08/line being an independent contractor. Is this typical pay for an independent contractor position? I currently make that as an employee. How does the paying into Social Security work? Any feedback on employee position versus independent contractor position would be greatly appreciated.The good thing about this job is no set schedule. The paying taxes, getting own insurance, and paying into Social Security is the things that I am worried about. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Independent contractor
They hired me as an independent contractor, and I was told that during my interview.
Are you an independent contractor?

Here's the link:
http://www.ebluewave.com/downloads/independent_contractors_20_questions.pdf


In the simplest of terms ... if you are looking for someone to hire you, then you're not independent contractor. However, if you see yourself as a one-person MTSO, and you conduct yourself in that fashion, then you are an IC.

I hope this helps at least one person. 


I AM AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
SEE WHERE IT SAYS IC????? I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT EMPLOYEE STATUS!
Definition of an Independent Contractor
Defining the Independent Contractor

No consistent, uniform definition distinguishes an employee from an independent contractor. Some statutes contain their own definitions. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that when a statute contains the term employee but fails to define it adequately, there is a presumption that traditional agency-law criteria for identifying master-servant relationships apply (National Mutual Insurance Co. v. Darden, 503 U.S. 318, 112 S. Ct. 1344, 111 L. Ed. 2d 581 [1992]).

One comprehensive test that takes into account agency-law criteria and numerous other factors courts have created to define independent contractor status was developed by the Internal Revenue Service. Known collectively as the twenty-factor test, the enumerated criteria generally fall within three categories: control (whether the employer or the worker has control over the work performed), organization (whether the worker is integrated into the business), and economic realities (whether the worker directly benefits from his or her labor). The twenty factors serve only as a guideline. Each factor's degree of importance varies depending on the occupation and the facts involved in a particular case. Twenty-factor test [nl] 1.

A worker who is required to comply with instructions about when, where, and how he or she must work is usually an employee.

2.

If an employer trains a worker — requires an experienced employee to work with the worker, educates the worker through correspondence, requires the worker to attend meetings, or uses other methods — this normally indicates that the worker is an employee.

3.

If a worker's services are integrated into business operations, this tends to show that the worker is subject to direction and control and is thus an employee. This is the case particularly when a business's success or continuation depends to a large extent on the performance of certain services.

4.

If a worker's services must be rendered personally, there is a presumption that the employer is interested in the methods by which the services are accomplished as well as in the result, making the worker an employee.

5.

If an employer hires, supervises, and pays assistants for a worker, this indicates control over the worker on the job, making the worker an employee.

6.

A continuing relationship between a worker and an employer, even at irregular intervals, tends to show an employer-employee relationship.

7.

An employer who sets specific hours of work for a worker exhibits control over the worker, indicating that the worker is an employee.

8.

If a worker is working substantially full-time for an employer, the worker is presumably not free to do work for other employers and is therefore an employee.

9.

Work performed on an employer's premises suggests the employer's control over a worker, making the worker an employee. This is especially true when work could be done elsewhere. However, the mere fact that work is done off the employer's premises does not necessarily make the worker an independent contractor.

10.

If a worker is required to perform services in an order or sequence set by an employer, the employer has control over the worker that demonstrates an employer-employee relationship.

11.

A worker who is required to submit regular oral or written reports to an employer is likely an employee.

12.

Payment by the hour, week, or month tends to indicate that a worker is an employee; payment made by the job or on a straight commission points to an independent contractor.

13.

A worker is ordinarily an employee if an employer pays for the worker's business or travel expenses.

14.

An employer who furnishes a worker with significant tools, materials, or other equipment tends to show that the worker is an employee.

15.

A worker who significantly invests in facilities used to perform services and not typically maintained by employees (such as office space) is generally an independent contractor.

16.

A worker who can realize a profit or loss resulting from her or his services is generally an independent contractor.

17.

A worker who performs for more than one firm at a time is generally an independent contractor.

18.

If a worker makes his or her services available to the general public on a regular and consistent basis, that worker is generally an independent contractor.

19.

An employer's right to discharge a worker tends to show that the worker is an employee. An employee must obey an employer's instructions in order to stay employed; an independent contractor can be fired only if the work result fails to meet the agreed-upon specifications.

20.

If a worker has the right to terminate her or his relationship with an employer at any time without incurring liability, such as breach of contract, that worker is likely an employee.

See: Employment Law; Labor Law; Master and Servant.
Does that $0.9/65 Independent Contractor job come with food stamps?/sm

Does that $0.9/65 Independent Contractor job come with food stamps?

































































INDEPENDANT CONTRACTOR


 


EXPENSES


$0.09/65


 


$0.11/65


lines/8 hr day/40 hr wk


1200


 


1200


$/day


 


$108.00


 


$132.00


$/wk


 


$540.00


 


$660.00


$/yr


 


$28,080.00


 


$34,320.00


Health Ins @ 60+


$12,000.00


$16,080.00


 


$22,320.00


2 wk off/pd vac/PDO


$1,080.00


$15,000.00


 


$21,240.00


op costs


$1,200.00


$13,800.00


 


$20,040.00


minus taxes


$2,760.00


$2,760.00


 


$4,008.00


 


$17,040.00


$11,040.00


NET


$16,032.00


 


Who hires for TRUE independent contractor sm

positions..  Ones where they give you a set amount of lines and you set your own hours just as long as you get the transcription done within that period of time. 


I SAW a book on it once, too. It was called The Independent Medical Contractor.
nm
Diskriter, contractor or regular employee
I was just wondering if Diskriter hires on an IC basis or as a regular company employee? 
SC meaning SE (statutory employee) and or IC contractor.
Still looking for help on employee positions with no VR which are good. Thanks.
Agree..with IC status, equip. is your responsibility; employee status - you should SM
not have to pay out-of-pocket for use of their equipment. I would never work employee status for a company who required me to purchase or lease their equipment. The only thing I would find acceptable is to have a small security deposit taken out of paycheck when starting with a company. This will protect the company from those few who might abuse the equipment.
Anyone know of Escription companies that offer IC status. I do not want employee status but would
like to stick with the Escription platform at all possible.
Employee status w/benefits vs IC status??? Dilemna enclosed

I am caught between a rock and a hard place and figure this is the place to get the best advice from those in the know.  I have been an IC for the past 5 years and love the flexibility but was interested in a job with benefits.  I started a new job about a month ago with good pay (2 lph more than I was making) and benefits......very happy with company but as an employee, obviously have a schedule.  I am working both jobs currently and starting to burn out.  On the new job, I am struggling to get the 1200 lines per day required but on my old.... I can easily get 150-400 lph depending on the dictator but again, it is IC and less lph than the new job.  Obviously, the platform is different and not paid for template headers/footers wheras the old one, I am paid for those.  Now to my question.  Is it just me?  Is it because I really enjoyed the freedom of ic status and therfore seem to be struggling?   Anyone else experienced this before?  Tempted to go back told job and lose benefits/more pay because in the end, maybe it works out be the same pay because of amount of time I spend getting the job done?   Not sure if this makes sense but hoping you can all offer some advice!!  TIA


Are you employee or independent?
NM
Thanks, I think employee status though
I applied 2 months ago and checked the ad again on their website. The hours stink. SO, I'll go and see what they offer, but not sure. Hours, days are Monday, Thurs,Fri,Sat, Sun. 3 to 11:30 pm, then Sat and Sun 7am to 3:30pm. YUCK! I don't remember those hours from when I applied that long ago! Am curious to see what they offer though. Will post after I find out. Job is in Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, but will be home-based.
0.738 cpl actually if employee status sm
To figure out what a line rate would be for employee status - you just subtract 7.65% from the IC line rate.  My neighbor is an HR specialist and teaches the tax classes at a bank here.  She said the only difference is that you pay the 7.65% FICA instead of the employer paying it.  There are so many ignorant people out there saying you pay 30% more - you don't.  You pay the same, plus the above amount - for me equals about 28% total, not 30% additional. 
No they are not IC. Employee status
and I believe 1,000 lines is FT. No pressure. Very easy going. Not sure of benefits yet. Not sure if you can be IC or not.

I am FT and plan to stay FT and can easily do 1,000 but struggle with 1,2000 because of lack of work and crap I am stuck with because of cherrypicking the work.

They pay less than I am making now and cannot really afford to go just yet.

Also they count spaces and headings for line count.

FT & PT - employee status - sm
I work for them too and love it there.  The specialties they are hiring for are probably Ortho and Onc.  Great place to work, nice people.  Very happy.
Employee status

Amphion has all employee-status positions.


Employee status only. nm

Employee status?
Does ScribeRight offer employee status or just IC? Thanks.
Employee Status?
Do they offer regular employee status?
No employee status, IC or SE...SM
and absolutely no benefits I don't care what state you live in. Horrible dictators, 90% ESL.....office staff is great, pay always on time and there is usually plenty of work.
Employee Status?
Do they hire ICs or employee status as well? Do they hire remote transcriptionists or local only? Do you furnish all of your own equipment? Thanks!
The TH QA is employee status.
xxx
They have employee status as well.
x
IC to employee status
Would appreciate any recommendations for companies to check out that offer IC or SE status with the option of becoming an employee with benefits if things work out. Been burned too many times to jump ship anymore without testing the waters first. Looking for acute care and/or radiology. Thanks.
my employee status seems to be different...
I get paid $21/h plus incentive. My employee status seems to be different from those below. We do not have to produce by line because we ACTUALLY get paid by the hour. Minimum is 75 minutes per 8-hour shift, 50 cents incentive (I wish it was more) after the 75 minutes. If there is no work, we still get paid $21/h. We are backed up by a union who renews/ratifies our contract every three years with the hospital. Of course, if we wanted to, we could figure out how many lines we actually type an hour but we don't need to. Our MTs used to work in the hospital before they sent us home to save money. I admit, because of this benefit, I slack every now and then to watch TV or do laundry knowing I get a set pay every two weeks, but in order for us to stay qualifed to work at home, we need to meet the minimal requirement of 75 productive minutes, which is actually not hard to do. With that said, if we say, lose electricity, we can use 1-hour downtime. After that, we have one hour to get to the office to continue our work.

We had an earthquake in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago resulting in total black out on all islands (Oahu 16 hours). Some of the MTs took PTO, some made up time on another day.
Employee Status
You might actually end up with a little more if you type the same number of lines/reports since you only have to pay half your taxes and FICA but remember then no deductions either.
IC status vs. employee

IC means different things to different companies.  I was an inhouse (employee) at a local company doing both rad and acute care, mainly rad.  Due to supervisor's pets not pulling their weight and management's refusal to hire help for growing accounts, me and one other coworker were stuck working all the time.  Every time I left the house for an errand, dinner, etc., and got on the computer, I had Yahoo instant messages waiting on me like ARE YOU THERE?,  Where are you?! We need your help! These jobs are out of turnaround time and Ms. X from ABC hospital is complaining!  Regardless of the fact I worked late, sometimes till 4 a.m., I was not appreciated.  I finally decided this was not worth 8 cents per line and left there.  Both as an employee and as an at-home IC, I was done dirty numerous times and had my pay docked once because another MT was sick and left me to do her (backed up) work.  Just because it was my weekend, when the account complained I was docked.  I started looking for another job that very hour.  


Sorry to ramble but my point is, it doesn't matter (from my experience anyway) what status you are, how you are treated and whether or not you are overworked depends on the company.   


Employee status
You are an employee when they pay your taxes, and then if you use their computer, they own you......
Employee vs. IC status
I agree with the not-so-great aspects of IC status...I'm single, what if I get disabled, or laid off, or any number of different scenarios...you have NO PROTECTION then...there is a reason all the labor unions battled for these kinds of worker protections! If you have got back up then maybe IC is a good thing...but if you are on your own...not so sure...
Is this for IC or employee status?
It sounds like their ER accounts are for employee status, or do they offer IC? They seem like a good company from what I've read. Good luck!
If you are employee status, can you...sm
say what the benefits cost, time off, etc. is.   Thanks very much.
Employee status only
Have you read the MQ board?? Are you sure you want to do this?? 
I had always been employee status and had never been an SE or IC before.. (sm)

I did like the freedom of being able to basically set my own schedule.  But I was so used to having taxes taken out and having the benefits and realized after I took the job that I just wasn't going to make enough money to cover my own insurance policy. It was a great company. I think if it had been at a different point in my life it might have worked out.  But I had just left Medquist and was deeply in debt because all my accounts at MQ dried up and I was getting no work. I decided to go with Keystrokes then and I'm glad I did because they take out my taxes, I have benefits again AND they are very flexible. I know there are a lot of SE's and IC's that are very happy...it just wasn't for me at that particular time.


No ICs -- employee status only.
xx
Employee status only. nm
nm
All employee status
They are hiring for full-time status with great benefits.
Are you IC or employee status? nm
*
employee status
I sued the company which was national at the time along with 10 other MTs. Yes, the time sheets were altered but I had the originals which were not tainted. I sued them for OT and downtime and won along with the other MTs. It can be done and companies will stop doing this to people.
If you are employee status I'd think
maybe depending on your state and their temporary disability plan you'd possibly be covered under that.  In my state it's 6 weeks maternity allowed.  I worked right up until the end with my kids so I could use my entire 6 weeks postpartum.  If you have to leave earlier with your doctors approval you can actually have the 6 weeks increased.