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My side of the story

Posted By: They Said What on 2009-03-19
In Reply to: URGENT NEED HELP ALL MT'S PLEASE READ - TravelinMT

I worked for MT for over 9 years. I was fairly new to MT when I started with them. I now make less than I did then, even though I have a Bachelor's degree now.

My hubby, who never graduated from high school, makes more per hour than I do. I used to be able to support me, my hubby and my son on my income. Now, I make in one month what I used to make in a week. How's that for a story. I am making 1/2 what I was 3 years ago and doing more work to get it.


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Could be another side of the story...
... although nothing excuses the lack of communication.

It is possible (although of course I have no way of knowing) that the client(s) have put the MTSO on notice, or it's coming up on contract-renewal time, so the MTSO is being watched like a hawk, so they're cracking down on even the slightest appearance of sloppiness, and as we all know, noxious substances roll downhill. And we all know just who is sitting at the bottom of that infamous hill.... (It ain't the owners, or the supervisors, or the QA people.)
Thanks to all of you who see my side!
Thought I might be fighting this battle on my own. I'm glad to see that there are people who feel that posters should be responsible for proving negative accusations. Thanks!
MDI side
I agree...and I even like AIM also. There are much worse places to work, BTDT!!
yes..you are on his side, because besides--sm
not sending the money he owes his MT in the first place, he is taking more of it away from what she earned by charging her to send money he refused to send in the first place. It comes down to *fault*, not capitalizm. He was the one that was wrong. she did not ASK him to overnight the check, so why should she pay for it? If he had paid on time, there would be no issue. Greed is not the way to do business...and you wanting to add a surcharge on top of a $25 overnight fee, puts you in that category, as well. JMO
I'm sure I'm ont he other side
I've always been paid every other Friday the whole year that I have been there, so that must be why I, along with a ton of other people, never got that message. I also never got the e-mail about the insurance benefits, but I don't get them, so it doesn't matter to me at all.javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
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The other side of it . . .
what's the harm in stating their preference. The schedule cannot be enforced but maybe the days and times posted is when the work is available.
Think about the other side

Its nice to say you could never work for an MTSO that only uses US based MTs. But what if that MTSO is told by its large clients that they will use a different service if they don't reduce costs. Would you rather the MTSO drop the cpl you get or would you prefer they use offshore help to reduce the overall price but keep your CLP the same?


Seems to me that the MTSO that works to keep your CPL is looking out for you.


what is the GT side?? nm
,,
I'm on your side, 34
I was actually just trying to make a joke of a situation that has caused me grief for a long time now. I have been doing this 28 years (if you want to factor in all of my late-night moonlighting jobs, probably 40 years!!). I have seen this profession go from in-house, Selectric II typewriters, WordPerfect 5.1, and desktop tape transcribers to everything you need wrapped up in a nice little computer and INET voice files and the ability to work in your jammies. Over 25 years of experience and here I sit and can't find a job. Well, let's back up... I was offered a couple of 7 cent a line jobs and one 8.5 but I had to work graveyard shift and weekends with my choice of IC or employee. I forgot to mention the 40% ESL rate. There is always something that makes me feel like I'm getting the shaft. I know there are good accounts out there. Who is doing them? I'm too freakin' old for this!!! I feel like beatin' someone with my cane, ha ha. I like to keep it light because I don't want to get irritable bowel syndrome over it... but, come on... something's gotta' give here.
I don't like the CM side at all (sm)
The platform is lousy compared to Enterprise. The staff is different (brought in from elsewhere) and has a very different culture than the rest of Webmedx. I would not recommend anybody work on the Chartmatrix platform, especially if you have a choice between Enterprise and Chartmatrix!
I know I would too, and by my side would be
x
One side of WMX is on this.............
And supposedly, according to the example we were given today, production should increase considerably, but I doubt it will be enough to compensate for the cut in pay. There is a limit to the amount of work a person can crank out in a day.
I like Sue but Deb is another story.
She needs to get a life and get out of management.  She is one of the most unfair people I have ever met in my life.  She has pets that get the cream, and the rest of the world suffers.  Just pray she doesn't go back to typing, she is a big-time cherrypicker. 
There is WAY more to this story and I'd like to know what it is.

I received the same letter and I have no qualms whatsoever about posting what it said because I've already consulted an attorney regarding it and know that I can't be held accountable regarding internal corporate privacy issues because I no longer work for them.  I'd like to know if this is a tactic that Transcend is using to either intimidate those who have left or try to cover their own behinds from future lawsuits.


The letter that I received had a release that said:  ""Based upon the above, you hereby release, for yourself and all people who may act on your behalf, Transcend, and its subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from all claims or causes of action, arising from or relating to your employment with Transcend, including, but not limited to, any such claims or causes of action arising under any Federal or State law, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 and 1991 or the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended."


Several people I have spoken to received this same letter and were asked to sign the same waiver.  I have no intention of signing this, and in fact, the attorney that I consulted found it very interesting that they would need to be released from any future actions and told me to keep my eye out for future class action lawsuits.  So, yes, there is WAY more to this than is being said, but it isn't on the part of the MLSs.  You may be happy working under those circumstances, but don't bash the ones that aren't/weren't and try to make it look like they're the ones hiding something.  If the MLSs were the ones in the wrong, you can bet Transcend would have had their attorneys on it in a New York minute, but instead it's the other way around.  They feel that they have to have ex-employees sign papers to release THEM from lawsuits.  Why?


More to the story????-sm
It's just wonderful for you to stick up for Keystrokes, but I draw the line at letting you insinuate that there was more to my story than what I stated. HOW DARE YOU!! I have told my side with nothing left out, and you know nothing of the situation, so please keep your slanderous comments to yourself. I took that job in good faith, left my other job, was promised to be paid becasue the "account" didn't go live on the date I was hired for, told "not to worry" I would be covered, and NEVER HEARD ANOTHER WORD. What do I have to do to make you understand that all your excuses for Keystrokes aren't worth a fiddler's fart to me when I don't have a job. Next time, think about what your are accusing someone of BEFORE you spout off for your wonderful company.
More to the story
Melody did not go to OSi from L&H. She has only been with OSi for a couple yrs. Andy, Teresa and Beth were with L&H (Atlanta office). I don't know what happened to them when they started their own company. Down hill all the way. Greedy I guess. OSi is one of the worst companies out there. I worked there for over 2 yrs and left about 3 months ago. Steadily watched it get worse!

The Trans-Tech folks were out of the Houston office of L&H.

The Dallas office was one of the best offices of L&H.
My story
My process went smoothly, over about a week's time.  I spoke with recruiter and then spoke with the transcription supervisor, which was nice because you can ask specific questions about the accounts, etc.  I delayed things several days until I made my decision, but then gave two weeks notice to my other employer and started promptly after that.    
And there is so much more to that story. sm
The field is changing.  Why pay a good experienced seasoned MT 10 cents a line and benefits (what I used to get) when an Indian MT will do it for 2 cents and then pay 3 cents to have it proofed.  Small MTSOs can't compete and are selling out.  Some are holding by their fingertips to the chasm that has opened at their feet, competing with the larger companies who underbid them because they can.  Offshoring has ruined this business and it has hurt a lot of people, not only in the MT industry.  Those who defend it have sold out a whole lot more than they may ever know. 
Same story with me -
Been with them nearly 15 months and now cannot meet my line counts because of constant NJA. Not a single e-mail I have sent to my supervisor concerning workflow has been addressed. I am keeping my end of the deal - high QA scores, working when I say I am going to work, and up until just recently had no problem AT ALL meeting my line counts. I am also looking elsewhere. What a huge disappointment they have been!!!
Try this story. sm
Article published Thursday, April 27, 2006

Manor Care's profit drops 39% in first quarter


Manor Care Inc., the nation's largest nursing-home operator, reported yesterday that its first-quarter profit dropped 39 percent, largely because of accounting for stock rights given to many of its workers.


This month, many companies will begin accounting quarterly for costs of stock options for executives.


But Manor Care said only a small portion of the $11 million accounting hit for employee stock in the quarter was related to options. The majority of the one-time charge involved stock awards for non-executives.


The firm also said it is getting out of the medical-transcription business, resulting in an additional accounting charge of $7 million. It said it is in discussions with third parties to evaluate alternatives for that business segment.


Manor Care reported profit of $24.5 million, or 30 cents a share, for the first quarter, after one-time charges. That compared with $40.4 million, or 46 cents a share, in first-quarter 2005. The firm also said its revenues in this year's first quarter totaled $869.3 million, down slightly from $879.2 million a year ago.


Excluding the one-time charges, the firm earned 51 cents a share, a penny above the consensus of analysts polled by Reuters' Estimates.


Several analysts said Manor Care did well despite significant cuts in Medicare-reimbursement rates.


Despite the one-time charges, First-quarter operating performance was particularly strong, Paul Ormond, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement. He noted that occupancy rose to 90 percent, the firm's highest in more than a decade.


Geoffrey Meyers, Manor Care's chief financial officer, that Manor Care decided to leave medical transcription because it had not been consistently profitable.


The company's shares closed at $43.41, up 16 cents, in New York Stock Exchange trading.


Manor Care reported in its proxy statement this month in advance of its May 9 shareholder meeting that five top executives made about $19 million from exercising stock options in 2005 and were granted new stock options worth an estimated $9 million.


The company declared a cash dividend of 16 cents a share yesterday, payable May 26 to holders of record May 12.


Contact Homer Brickey at:
homerbrickey@theblade.com
or 419-724-6129.

I think you have not gotten the whole story - sm
I still have a team lead and shift leads.  I cannot speak for other teams, but for my team this is the case.
same story with me

I had to purchase a C-phone - $150 (used). switch cable providers to get unlimited long distance ($40 a month higher) which includes installation fees, not to mention the hassle of coordinating that.  I already had an Expander program or that would have been another $100.  And then I start on an account where there was no way to go above 100 lines an hour.  Believe it or not; as you wish.  It happened to me also.


 


I know there is more to THIS story. (sm)
Maybe that person was someone who had to be chased down to work.  They only put up with that for so long.
SAME STORY!!!
That I got!!! The first check they finally overnighted to me was way below what they owed me so they sent me a second one for the entire amount without taking any taxes out. My head is still spinning!! How do they stay in business???
my story...

I, like so many others, thought this would be my dream job and eagerly took a course and unwisely left my 40,000 a year job to go headfirst into MTing, and am still trying to make enough to survive.  My husband is a physician, so I thought it would be okay to take a paycut until I learned the ropes.  I became obsessed with doing more to earn more, and he started to resent the time I was spending on the computer and not understanding what it takes to be an MT, even though he is a physician/dictator and should know the skills involved and the learning curve. 


My husband and I are now separated and I am still struggling to make ends meet, now with even less security.  I have moved in with my mom because there is no way I could afford to pay rent, but still have a car payment and credit card bills.  I am beginning to think my husband was right and I have made a big mistake.  I still love this field and would do it for years, but as a second job.  I am now looking for other employment since I am physically and mentally exhausted and wondering how I got here.


My story
Well as I said I work on the Cardiology account which covers a large cardiac practice, I would say about 14 doctors, a couple of nurses & PAs that dictate. There are 2 ESLs I believe, although one of the other dictators is much worse than the ESLs. The rest are good or average.

I know Probity has many hospital accounts, but I don't know anything about them. You should ask before you leap. They are very good at responding to questions even prior to you accepting the offer. They told me what account I was hired for right away, I only took the cardiology test, so I assumed anyway.

If I can answer anything else let me know.

Same old story
Do you get your kicks from posting about TTS about every week or so? You have nothing better in your life than this? I am sorry you did not measure up to their expectations. Why don’t you just drop it? Not everyone feels like you.
different story then. If they have sm
changed in the middle then I don't blame you. Just out of curiosity (I am IC myself) if you ignore their notes, etc. etc and just keep doing what you have been doing, will they lock up all access to your work or will they just ignore it? If you are going to take the risk of losing your job anyway, I think I would just go ahead and try typing my own schedule, ignore their e-mails and see what happens. I have had these threats in the past too and I always ignore them. Nothing has happened yet. I won't say something won't happen but so far so good. I am prepared if and when they do decide to can me. Like you, I am an IC and nobody is going to tell me when to work.

I just started to apply for a job yesterday and when they sent their application, that was one of the questions........what schedule do you plan on working. I put on there that I was IC and would give them a certain number of lines per day but I WOULD NOT give them a certain schedule. They may call back, they may not, I don't care.

Another poster stated that because of all these schools and their promises, the money MTs have put into them, etc, MTs were willing to work for nothing just to be working. She is correct and the cycle needs to be stopped. I understand when you are backed in a corner and don't know whatelse to do, but somehow this has all got to stop and it takes folks like yourself and myself to put our foot down and say no more! We take a big risk of having no job, but who else is going to do this? After 32 years in this business, like yourself, I am fed up with the way things are going in MT and will not tolerate it any longer.
That was the same story for DRC - which
Then they burped and spat out most of DRC's great management people, many MTs, an account or two, and a large chunk of cpl change.
Same old story. Sorry for you.
Ofcourse they are not going to tell you that you are about to lose your job until THEY are ready for you to go.  Absolutely SUX!  It can happen to any one of us at a moment's notice.  Really stressful.  I started with a company about 6 months ago.  After training and getting going good on the account, the work dropped off.  I wrote to ask what was going on.  Was told vacations.  I gave the indication that this **vacation time** should not last too long or I would be looking for another/second job.  Couple weeks later work picked up and we have not run out since (on my 1 account that is).  I think management shifted people around so everyone would have work.  Scary thing is, when you lose a big client it affects everyone.  I know this is discouraging to you.  Hope you land something good.  Keep us posted on what the testing, interview, pay, etc. is elsewhere.
Then there is the other side of the fence .....
This is the direct opposite of a cheerleader.  This is a person who belittle any and all conversations/questions about a company.  They try to steer newbies away from the company by slandering them and bashing them, sometimes with not so factual comments.  There is a fine line to walk and it is hard to determine who is who sometimes.  Best to use your judgment.
Why don't you just jump over to MDI side!
You think Transcend is bad, honey work a week with MDI and then let's compare jelly beans.
do any of you do something extra on the side
My hands kill me just about every day now, and looking at my hands i have muscle breakdown and twitching, so i'd like to cut down on typing.  Want to find something to do on the side to earn maybe 1000 to 1500 dollars a month.  Was thinking about ebay, but i'm doubtful I could make that much, even though they hype up the advertisement by saying you could make 3000 MINIMUM.  I'm just desperate and feel like my hands are about to fall off.  I've spent close to 1000$ this year alone in keyboards, gloves, splints, doc visits, meds, changed my station around, hot soaks, cold soaks, exercises, stretches, vitamins. still my hands just sing every day esp at night.  So any extra money earning ideas you guys?  thanks
Flip side
I will have NO trouble doing that. My problem is I need to work more than 40 hours. If no more SE, I will be restricted to 40 hours/week.
More on the bright side

As a career MT who got sick of being jerked around by MQ, I've had my resume and online applications through this site out there for less than a week.  My emails are piling up, my phone rings with interviews, I've had six job offers to seriously consider, none of which were offering less than 9 cpl.  That's not counting the ones that were offering less than that, which I had no hesitation in declining.  Since I'm also holding out for a job in which I feel I'll be happy, and get the specialty areas my little heart desires, I've been really surprised and pleased at the responses. 


I've actually already accepted a new job (with MDI-MD), but the offers still keep coming in, and one lady went so far as to tell me they'd match MDI and top it, if I'd come work for her instead.  Whew!  Heady stuff!  I could get a serious God Complex here if I don't watch out


Just as an addendum, I refused the offer above, because my interview with the gal at MDI was so terrific, I think I'll be really happy working for them, and after 19 years and facing burnout (thank you, MQ), that's as important to me as the money.


Actually, I was on the Merit side.
Now I work for a company using Dictaphone, and I'm happy.
Look at the bright side.
At least they won't all need plane tickets to Hawaii at the company's expense. If you're so miserable, QUIT!!!
pay on the low side if you are experienced

nm


Supervisor? He isn't on our side! No wonder he kept
calling this weekend to see if I could work extra! He and everyone in that office knew it was coming..how they sleep tonight, I will never know.
If you are on the Dictaphone side, you are definitely NOT -sm
on one of their hardest accounts. Their hardest accounts are done on Merit and by Medware India (who funny enough, can't understand the ESLs there either).
You obviously don't mind that over half of their staff is off shore and they are constantly moving towards having 100% of their work done either by VR or by off shore MTs.
I once thought I would retire from MedWare as well, but I decided to get out when I saw the writing on the wall with regard to their sending work off shore.
I do not work on the VR side...
I work on the Dictaphone side and have 2 AWESOME supervisors.
Also, just to be on the safe side....
(going along with what MTing said) when you go to the post office- get the return receipt, but also to be sure to do delivery confirmation so that you can track the order and make sure that it gets delivered and/or request a signature at delivery...that way the company actually has to sign when the package is received by them from the USPS. Both of these will prevent any excuses as to them saying that they never received it back. Better safe than sorry!
Since all the yammering, here's the down side of TT sm
You can't slow down the dictation (that I'm aware of), but I don't really have to worry about that often, so it doesn't bother me.  So there you have it.  It's NOT perfect. 
You are a bit on the ridiculous side.
s

Me too! I'm dancin' right along side you! hoo-ha! nm

been there, done that - on the employer side..sm
not a lawyer, and not MT environment at that time. Did briefs, etc when working as secretary in legal dept of company (factory type/employee paid piecemeal wages for on-site work). Unless you can prove the time card was fraudulently filed (the hours were not actually worked), the company is responsible for payment of the OT. The advanced approval is not part of the law, only of the company policy. The company's recourse is through discipline for failure to follow company policy, but cannot withold pay. The laws have been tweaked some since then, but not to that point.
Explain, what do you mean by low side
for employee status? Thanks.
focus - us side
I was offered a job with them in QA, worked one night, did not have a foot pedal, was told there were hot keys, which there were not. Money was good, benefits too. But, it was training that involved both MTs and QA people, for 1 hour, not by American trainer either. New manager now though for US side. Hope it will work for you. Make sure you have a foot pedal for Dictaphone before you start. Software was easy enough to use. Good luck. Many negatives on this board. Maybe they will train differently now as I think many left when I did.

Look on bright side, it's still better than
nm
The Flip Side - sm
I've been in this industry a long time. Every company has QA issues. If you don't take it up with someone, they are not aware of a problem.

Every company has the right hire/fire/promote/terminate anyone they see fit - without asking for approval first. No one asks you why you dumped your last boyfriend, or switched grocery stores - or any other decision that affects your life. Why should managements decisions be any different?

Annonymous posts like yours are made to stir up trouble. You're out for revenge or just being spiteful. Grow up. Start showing some professionalism. If you were wronged at DSG, move on.

The question Info on DSG - good or bad is not your opportunity to act like a wronged or spoiled child. It's an opportunity to show your maturity. I don't think it's asking too much.


The other side of the coin

A company with little to no experience hiring you as an IC, then telling you the hours you will work, that you will sit for stats, and lay on a bunch of other parameters that CLEARLY make you a statutory employee and when you point this out-- THEY FIRE YOU!!   So it doesn't matter that I turned down other offers or that I just loaded his crap on my PC, my notice on my current job ends Monday and I'm now jobless.  I have an employment agreement signed yesterday, wonder if I should apply for unemployment.... OH WAIT!  I can't because I'm an IC!


There are very few REAL independent contractor positions in existence in MT.  I think a letter to the IRS this week will be just what my psyche ordered.


If you are not being paid to work greater than 40 hours refuse the hours.  Wages in the cellar and services whose only bottom line they realize exists is their own.