no issue

No, everyone seems to have the same issue... [2008-12-01]
I couldn't get mine on the phone or to answer email, so I emailed MT questions and asked them what I wanted to know. Interestingly, they are still being held responsible to some degree, as they contacted my CCM and immediately I got a response from them. I got my questions answered. And I got what I wanted--which was to change my schedule. I told them I would go part-time if I didn't get the schedule I wanted (CCM before refused this change). I was asked please to stay full time and of course I could have my schedule. The Q knew when they did this last pay cut that many would quit. They have a hard enough time getting help as it is. My suggestion is be a squeaky wheel, though a fairly polite one.

to me the holidays is not the issue.. [2008-11-19]
the first affected check won't be until Christmas eve. Its about all of next year and how I'm going to scrape by with less when I barely scrape by with the current rate. However, I do agree that the holidays is a lousy time to drop this on us.

Time card issue...what do you think? [2008-10-20]
It's partly my fault cuz we're supposed to approve our time cards and this one time in a really, really long time, I forgot to. I actually didn't even think about it until I read some of the posts on here and I checked it last night. Well, I had a couple of times where I forgot to punch out and a couple of days off when I was sick. I emailed my supervisor, like we're supposed to, with those edits and asked for PTO for the sick days. I got an email back from my new sup. today and she said that she did not get my edits and all the etimes have already been approved and submitted and to let her know if there is any discretion. So, now I'm not going to get my PTO, which I really can't afford not to have but whatever, I'm not going to stress it. What I'm concerned about is what's going to happen since my time is not correct? I've never had this situation before. Anyone have experience with this? Will it screw up my pay?

Work *station* is NOT the issue [2008-10-17]
How many MTs are happy working from home with companies OTHER THAN the Q? I am. I make a very good wage as an IC, and treated as the professional that I am. I worked for the Q for 8 years; OK, so what? They suck. Oh, right, *IMO.* Go to a different company, but jobs just don't fall in your lap. How may truly qualified MTs who work for MQ can get hired somewhere else? MQ is the problem. I worked in a hospital; horrible management, just as bad or not worse that working for MQ. Effective leadership in management makes all the difference in the world.

Not a client issue, at least [2008-09-18]
in my case. CP says nothing about commas in lab values. This case was a matter of preference, and QA changed it. Sorry, but they shouldn't be worrying about things like that.

I take issue with one of your remarks. [2008-09-16]
I take issue with this remark: If it takes you hours to read thru your blanks left, then there are too many blanks, which ultimately is your fault, If it was my fault, then 95-98% of the blanks would not remain unfilled by QA. Plain and simple, I feel bad when I have to pass on a document with tons of blanks, but if I can't hear it, I can't hear it. I do read my QA in hopes of learning that new (new to me at least) word that I could not find or document. I have been MT'ing for almost 20 years and one of the things I like about MT is learning new things all the time.

no issue [2008-07-03]
i've never had an issue. works fine for me.

I am having a terrible issue today - sm [2008-06-27]
with just ONE particular account, once again, in which the volume is SO low, I virtually cannot hear much of anything that is said with my volume and speakers as high as they will go. I'm actually wincing to try and hear and probably look like a fool (LOL). I have told them over and over again about this, sent job numbers in repeatedly, but it continues. It has been going on for about 7 months. What is a person to do about this stuff? Again, the line count sinks.

that's it, but one more issue I found [2008-06-26]
with forwarding my messages was that if there are links to sample reports you need, they don't go through (unless I'm doing something wrong). The e-mail itself will show, but I couldn't find a way to download the attachments. I had my QKL re-send me the important doctors' samples so the reports would open. Just FYI

Who says I was referring to the Cbay issue? [2008-06-05]
Nowhere in my post did I say that.

Not to make the issue worse, but the first 3 out of 5 [2008-06-04]
reports of my shift were offshore-done today (we can tell by the signoff, and also offshore MT reports -the indians- don't use QASAR! I think there was a post on here today about MTs not having work to do-SORRY! By the way, this also trickles to QA because the less US MTs do, the less US QA will get! GEEZ!

and I see you didn't address the other issue [2008-05-10]
about making people stop when their time is up and not allowing anyone to work times other than scheduled even though they are able and willing, because you know I am right.

New issue of Advance: Royal Phillips rolling out SPEECHMAGIC to biggest hospital in Norway [2008-05-01]
Anyway, check out their website and read all about it. Don't know whether to laugh or cry. http://www.speechrecognition.philips.com/index.asp?id=518

after posting my mess. I see that the issue has already been addressed. [2008-04-26]
Apparently over there theydon't know it wasa tech problem and not a virus since everyone is afraid to come back over here. (Ididn't know either until I read related messages aftermy first post) They're spreading the word and Im afraid people won'tcome here anymore. I just posted to them ( and I never post over there) that all is okay. Hopefully rumors will stop.

No worries. It was not a virus, just a technical issue. [2008-04-26]
Thanks for looking into it though:-)

Running AVG 8.0, everything fine for me. Must be your browser issue. [2008-04-24]
//

I don't think you understand the issue. You aren't being paid to fill in ADT info. [2008-04-04]
Thus, how can they ding you for something they AREN'T PAYING YOU FOR? Filling in ADT info is something MTs do complementary for their bosses, that is FREE OF CHARGE (actually, personally I think it's illegal to force someone to fill in ADT info who isn't getting paid for it, but whatever.)

We have the same issue curiously enough (sm) [2008-03-31]
Every morning regardless of what time the last H&P or consult was that I did whether it be 12:00 midnight or 4 in the morning, right at around 6-6:30 a.m. it's as if the whole system gets dumped on Monday morning and many days all the way up until Friday. I have several hospitals in my group, but I'll be working on my main primary from say a report done at 2 in the morning at say 6 in the morning and suddenly, poof, the next report to come up isn't even in our BOB and when the email for job updates goes out a few minutes later, which is fairly consistent, the system is generally wiped clean, 0 0 0 0 0 It's like someone's dumping all the jobs somewhere else at a specified time. This has been going on for a few months, highly suspicious to me.

Not for the issue we just experienced with DEP. [2008-03-13]
NM

Dubious, I really appreciate your post today on this issue. [2008-03-11]
had and explaining it a bit. I feel if not for this site, we would be more in the dark about this issue and I feel for those who dont come here. My PS was just upset that everyone was calling her cell phone and thought her phone was down and just call the TCC with your DSQ problems. Well for a time today, I couldnt even get tech support or TCC or DICTATE or whoever, on the phone at all. Thanks again, Heres to a better tomorrow

DQS Issue? [2008-03-11]
DQS down?

Incorrect. There was an issue with OT and they had to pay [2008-02-23]
transcriptions OT in checks that came in the mail to settle the issue.

I think that's a liability issue, which would be separate. [2008-02-22]
I would leave the report up and clock out on etime because if you were clocked in and got into an accident you would be on their time. I think that would be a workman's comp issue because you were clocked in at the time. Just my thoughts on it, though.

After 28 years my quality is not an issue, bad dictation is the issue. [2008-02-21]

How is it a comeback? It didnt address issue 1st [2008-02-21]
x

yes, MQ computer [2008-12-02]
Yes, an MQ computer.I don't think MQ would have any way of knowingthe RAM had been increased, especially ifit's replacedwith the original stick before returning the computer to them. My thought was that it would bea nonissue because I didn't change, addordelete any programs, just sped up the computer.

OMG! OMG! YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS. [2008-12-02]
http://health-information.advanceweb.com/editorial/content/editorial.aspx?cc=189369 I went to Google, typed in Medquist and then at top of page, I hit News and this is the report that came up first. IT SAYS TO GO TO MTSTARS.COM in the article. From the East Comes Light Posted on Dec. 1, 2008 By Rebecca A. McSwain, PhD, CMT View/Post Comment E-Mail Article Printer-Friendly Permalink Ex oriente lux (From the East Comes Light) (Latin proverb) Over the last 10 years there have been, to guesstimate, a billion words expended on offshore MT. Unfortunately, these words have often generated more heat than light. That is to say, offshore MT is an emotional issue, and enlightenment in the form of facts is sometimes hard to come by. For example, an outfit called ValueNotes, which researches and analyzes international business trends, suggested in 2006 that current revenue from Indian MT was $195 million yearly and would reach $647 million by 2010. ValueNotes, however, is based in India, and may be inclined to have an exaggerated view of Indian MT trends. Given that many large U.S. clients - hospitals and clinics - require guarantees that their work will not be offshored, it's difficult to say where this vast expansion in Indian MT will come from. It is undeniable, however, that large U.S. medical transcription service organizations (MTSOs) now have a presence in India (Spheris and MedQuist are examples). For a good sampling of how U.S. MTs feel, go to the MTStars Web site (http://www.mtstars.com), Main Forum, and search the term offshore. Hold on to your hat, and get out your saltshaker for the grains of salt you need when reading some of the posts. Many people blame offshoring companies for the precipitous drop in MT wages in the past decade or so. But is there really good evidence for this? There have been myriad downward pressures on transcription pay. First is the nationwide panic about soaring health care costs. The value of MT is often not understood by administrative/financial decision makers in health care institutions, and MT becomes an easy target for those seeking to save money. Second, the increasing and continuing costs of technological change have, in my opinion, siphoned off billions of the dollars allocated to medical records - sometimes with good results, sometimes not. Some of that money, I believe, has come out of our (MT) hides. Third, I believe the promises (delusions) of automated transcription have created a reluctance on the part of financial decision-makers to spend the money necessary to train and retain skilled MTs, because, after all, in 5 years we will all be replaced by a computer. (Not. But that's another topic.) Finally, MTs should consider that their loss of income may be part of a larger trend of lower or stagnant pay in health care occupations. Nursing pay, for example, did not increase for many years in spite of an acute shortage of nurses, and nursing can't be outsourced. (See http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/15/1648 for one discussion of nurses' wages.) I worked in India for 6 months and still count some Indian MTs as friends and colleagues. I didn't believe at that time, and don't believe now, that offshoring is the source of all the ills of MT. If the value of medical transcription is understood correctly by hospital and clinic administrators, if quality and service are paramount, then our shared goals can be achieved by a worldwide collaboration of well-trained and appropriately compensated MTs. That would be the dawn of a new day! Rebecca A. McSwain is currently working as a production MT for a national service. She has worked as an MT supervisor, business owner, instructor and QA manager. She's a member of AHDI and the American Medical Writers Association. She has a PhD in anthropology and continues to work on anthro-related writing projects in her spare time. She can be reached at rmcswain_985@fuse.net.

found this thread from a community forum regarding offshoring. This is said so perfectly. sm [2008-12-02]
http://www.crn.com/channelcommunity/forum.jspa?forumID=13 Then, check out the last thread HIPAA and outsourcing medical records. I think the person who posted this said exactly what many of us feel, and points to the crucial aspects that we should address with our state reps, senators, etc. I think many should again address this issue with Lou Dobbs of CNN. His website offers email for topics of discussion on shows. HIPAA needs to make some drastic changes IMHO as well. It seems the Veterans Administration is no longer tolerating offshoring of patient medical records. In addition, the major insurance carriers should also be made aware of their insured patients' medical records leaving the country (Aetna, Medicare, Medicaid, and many of the big HMOs). I truly believe that many insurance companies, physician practices, hospitals, and patients have no idea when their confidential medical records are being produced outside of the country. I think everyone has the right to know.

thanks! [2008-12-02]
actually, its not that its less than 2 weeks that was the issue, but I've always worded any notices Please consider this is my 2 weeks notice... haha, so having it be less than 2 weeks wasn't sure how to word it. I know, I'm a dork, but I still want to try to show I have professional ethics even if they dont.

Yeah, I understand why [2008-12-02]
you would take issue with the words. Just make sure you have something in there that says you will no longer work as of that date. Also, you might want to request your PTO pay, as they are SUPPOSED to cut you a check for the balance of that. I think I remember in there somewhere that they want your equipment returned, if you have any, before that. If you need to return equipment, make sure you have tracking numbers, etc. to prove it. They tried telling me once they didn't receive something back when they replaced my PC and I had to prove it to them.

My account is getting worse - sm [2008-12-02]
It just keeps getting worse and worse. I seldom get anything other than my primary, and when I do I jump for joy because it's usally many times better. I have only one or two ESL docs, so that's not the issue. It is a teaching account with a level I trauma ER, so half the time it sounds as if they are dictating from a war zone, but that STILL doesn't explain how clozapine, clearly said, could be interpteted as *closet penis*. If it ever got Ativan right I might need CPR, it comes up with various different terms for that one. It's gotten to the point that lately it seems that I have to correct every other word, so much for those 644 lph...the best I can do, working my @ss off is around 225. I want a new account, or some good drugs!

You are all on a slippery slope with this one, and [2008-11-29]
But, I would seriously question my job security with MQ bu filing for something like this. You could end up shooting yourself in the foot big time. Like if you in particular don't type all work types and don't have knowledge in all work types, etc., that could come back and bite you. Its a very odd situation for sure. I 100% believe that MQ should just bite the bullet and pay you all for no work situations. However, they have dodged that bullet to date and are masters at the craft. I don't think, personally, that the unemployment thing would fly in your favor. I don't know any advice to give you all on how to fight it, but if I were an MT, I guarantee I would be getting paid for no work situations, and paid at my hourly benefits rate, not minimum wage. I do believe that some MTs do get paid as I described. One thing for sure, QA people do get paid when there is no work. They get their hourly rates, no questions asked. If there is no work, there is no work. I would NOT do as someone below stated, and stay signed into DQS but just log in and out of etime. I know for sure there are rules written somewhere - good luck finding them - that you must be logged into DQS and Etime at the same time, otherwise grounds for immediate dismissal. And, yes, MTs have been fired on the spot for this. Please don't do it, though, again, I understand your reasoning. I would never, ever go along with the -- releasing -- thing. As others have posted below, that is the magic word for MQ to get out of paying you, and you are agreeing to be released. In fact, since you all have to report the no work situation, it looks as if YOU are the ones asking for the release. Which is MQ's little bag of tricks to cover themselves from having to pay you for no work. I would never ever take PTO either. I would think the only way to fight this would be thru labor boards. But, again, I don't know how that would work for ya. Just to remember why MQ pulls the reasoning that you all have to make up work is that, in the day, therewere lots of MTs who were full time, didn't make up work, and some weeks had no income, even some pay periods had no income. When you have benefits, that becomes a BIG problem. There were lots of MTs who owed money to MQ for the weeks they chose not to work and not to make it up and that obviously didn't fly either. So, on one hand, I understand the logic on that part in order to keep your benefits. If you have benefits, you have to be sure you work full time, or you can and will lose your benefits, as you have to see the bigger picture of that whole situation. I feel sorry for you all, and wish I could offer some solution on how to fight them on this. Somebody needs to take a stand about it - its like the IC versus employee issue. It took a few years, but finally the IRS got them to admit that we were employees and not IC status. Of course, there were lots of things we lost when IC was taken away. Very confusing situation, but it shouldn't be that confusing. Doesn't anybody have that MetLife lawyer plan thru MQ? Somebody should use that benefit -- before its gone - and call for the free lawyer consult regarding this situation. I wish you luck. I chose to go with a company that pays for downtime and pays happily, but I know you all need help with this. Hang in there.

Procedure for low earnings due to lack of work...sm [2008-11-28]
Filing for partial unemployment You are partially unemployed when you are hired as a full-time employee, and you are still on your employer�s payroll, but that employer cannot give you full-time work. Unless you are claiming Extended Benefits (see Filing for Extended Benefits), you are not required to look for another job or take a job offered by another employer. When filing partial claims, you are to use a special claim form, Initial Claim/Low Earnings Report (LER), which is provided by your regular employer. In all other respects, total and partial unemployment are the same. Once you set up a benefit year, you may file claims for weeks of either total or partial unemployment during that year. The following procedures apply to claims for partial benefits. Your employer gives you an Initial Claim/Low Earnings Report (LER) for any weeks that full-time work was not available. (A LER may be issued for either one or two weeks of partial unemployment.) Your employer is required to issue a LER not later than the payday for the week(s) of low earnings. The LER is your claim for partial benefits. (Do not use the claim form that comes with your benefit check to file for partial benefits.) To file your claim, you must complete the bottom part of the LER and then file the complete form with your local office within ten (10) days following the day you received it. If you delay filing, you may lose your right to benefits. (NOTE: The Low Earnings Report cannot be filed by telephone or via the Internet. Also, do not file until after the week(s) of partial unemployment shown on your LER.) You must report any work you had with other employers during the week(s) on your LER. You also must report any self-employment and any other income not shown on the LER. If you are a corporate officer or have other business interests, you must report such activities when you file. You must have been available for all work your regular employer had to offer. You may be denied benefits if you had low earnings for any reason other than lack of work. Your benefit payment will be reduced by earnings or any other deductible income you had, in the same manner as if you were filing for total unemployment. (See How income affects benefits.) If you have a benefit year in effect, you can always file your partial claim by mail. Whenever possible, you should file a new claim in person, especially if this is your first experience with the unemployment compensation program. You always must file a new claim in person when either one of the following situations applies to you: You worked outside West Virginia during any part of the base period. (You may need to file an Interstate or Combined Wage Claim -- see Filing combined wage claims and Filing interstate claims.) You were on active military duty or worked for the federal government during any part of the base period. See Filing for benefits based on federal civilian employment (UCFE) or Filing for military benefits (UCX). You must file a new claim in person when either of these situations applies because you will not receive credit for such employment unless you bring the necessary information to your local office. (The information we need is explained on the pages referred to previously.) If your claim is processed by mail, your weekly benefit will be based only on wages reported during your base period by West Virginia employers. NOTE: You are responsible for the accuracy of all information on a Low Earnings Report. Examine each LER carefully before you file it. If your employer listed your earnings incorrectly or didn�t include other payments made during the week(s) on the report, do not file your claim until the employer corrects the error. Also, make certain that your name and Social Security number are shown correctly, and that the employer properly signed and dated the form. You are liable to repay any overpayment of benefits that results from incorrect information on a Low Earnings Report

I DID ask for a performance review [2008-11-22]
I actually asked for one BEFORE ASR took that hit in 2007 because of a whole other issue, and when it happened and everyone was asking for raises, I was told that I had to wait because my PS was flooded with requests for reviews. I was gone by August.

Giselle [2008-11-22]
Glad to hear that you enjoyed working. I like my job, but am very insecure at this point as what's going to happen next. I am also a little worried about the money issue with what is being said up above and with the Chief Financial officer leaving right before they cut our ASR. Not sure what to think, but still trying.

From the other side [2008-11-21]
I understand the difficulties this company is facing. Trying to compete with other businesses who are attempting to undercut contracts with lower and lower prices, MQ has to sell its services and still make a profit. The Q has paid higher, but their program, ASR, has some serious flaws with understanding even simple speech, often leaving out full words, phrases, inserting in others that have no possibility of being even remotely related to what was said, unable to recognize medications such as Ativan since conception, thus making it just as hard to correct as to type. The program is not faster by the 40% decrease in pay, not even close and MEs see this as a pay cut across the board. I understand the company is working on this issue. I hope a solution will be found soon. The country is experiencing unemployment rates, that also is understood. Yes, we should all be grateful we have a job, but at some point you reach the point where you can no longer justify working at a job that pays the same as food service or any basic menial job out there and when that point happens, it's probably time to move on. It's painful on both sides of the aisle and a delicate balancing act in this current economy. I tend to believe that nothing illegal has occurred. I believe MQ is watched too closely. I also believe in this current economy so much is going on it doesn't really matter at this point one way or the other and no one is going to care anyway. I sincerely hope MQ won't be a cut-and-run company like other companies I have been involved in where it was finally decided there wasn't enough profit and the company was dismantled with the higher-uppers taking off with the remaining profits and selling off the company in pieces leaving all of its workers unemployed and lawsuits right and left with little hope of any compensation. Finally, thank you for your response. Tough decisions on both sides of this matter need to be faced in a logical and thoughtful manner, putting aside emtion and dealing with the realities of our times. Complaining and venting has its purpose for a short period of time, but at some point one needs to move on and make the tough choices, to stay or to leave, and whatever decision is made to be content with that and let the rest go.

Again, contact your congressperson [2008-11-20]
Mine assures me that the issue of off-shoring sensitive medical records will be addressed by the Congress again in 2009. The MTSO's will undoubtedly say that they have to off-shore because there are not enough American MT's. Let your congressperson know that one of the reasons for this is the increasingly low compensation for a job which requires a great deal of skill and experience and that many qualified MT's are leaving the field because they are no longer adequately compensated. Ask them if they think that the content of their own medical records will be as accurate when transcribed by a newbie making minimum wage as opposed to an experienced Transcriptionist who is adequately paid for his/her expertise - and that doctors often do not even read the records as they are supposed to.

Fickle Management [2008-11-20]
Much like the rest of thebusiness attitude in the United States that has been encouraged by the lack of consequences for poor management decisions - those that make astronomical monetary gains at the expense of a work force being forcibly downsized in a matter of months - MQ has shown where it stands as an employer. I called for employee ownership as the only way to rescue management's lack of identification with its work force a year ago when QASAR was used to rob us blind - and we freaked and could not work. ASR is a prime example - it has not been fixed in how many years! Now we have the mean-spirited instant pay reduction. I am still transcribing, and know that will end too. How is it that those identified with conservatism have lost their faith? If the world is changing so quickly, wouldn't holding steady be a wiser course for all. The employers of today no longer care for their work force. They still cannot make the connection thatmotivated workers make for good results all around economically, and the opposite may bring short-term gains but in the long term the business is doomed to fail. Look at the economy, look at the greedy financiers, look at the looting of our IRAs. How many of us have lost our homes -- do you care? Obviously holidays are not an issue - soulless decisionmakers. It will come back to those in power, maybe not this year, or in the next. Profit at the expense of the workforce and ultimately the quality of patient care will catch up with MQ. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Thanks for forgetting what capitalism used to be about - Fair profits, Regulated labor laws, Consistent international relations, Integrity. MQ is being run by soulless financiers and its future can only be secured if it turns away from such unethical activities. Real faith requires us all to look out for each other and weather this economic storm, whether we be owned by Americans or foreign investors. Thestaff continues to maintain steady, but the powerbrokers aren't content to do so. Once again our production suffers, our financial security is in turmoil, MQ becomes an ugly giant in the marketplace, and those who think they are above it all saving us from ourselves have become insanely incompetent. Time for new ownership! THANK YOU MT STARS for letting us speak to each other!

my group hasn't been [2008-11-20]
offered OT since the first week this all happened a month ago...at this point I NEED OT in order to just pay my bills and maybe try to salvage a little something for Christmas...we haven't been offered anything but a letter stating they are working on the issue of bouncing...though OT on bouncing work just wouldn't be worth it either I suppose...can't win.

and.. [2008-11-19]
Never correctly identifies these words either...Gabapentin, Ativan, Diovan, 1/4% Had the ASR refresher course at the end of October. What a joke! Never mind the fact the trainer could not spell, the issue of words being incorrect everytime was brought. Trainer had no idea this was occuring. Of course, then she get the song-and-dance of whom to contact. Oh please, like we have time to email JNs every time the system messes these words up.

Case has been going on for years. . . [2008-11-19]
I don't know what else I could tell those lawyers that they don't already know. I contacted them (the ones in Atlanta) about 2 years ago and told them my story. They have been working on this line count issue for years. Personally, I wouldn't want to sue them myself as it can take just as long and who knows if I'd even have a case, what with those Indians being in power now. I do have a few other bones to pick with MQ other than line counts, though, and could personally keep that on the back burner. Who knows why they offered this settlement - I doubt it is what the plaintiffs are asking for, and personally don't know how they could accept the money going to ahdi.org unless that is their personal web business. Why would we ever benefit from classes from AHDI? I want that money I lost back in my pocket, not on some website.

Can't stop myself...so freaking ticked. [2008-11-18]
I just want to voice my opinion of the latest of pay cuts to the MT/ME of MedQuist. TOTALLY UNFAIR. We give and give and give, and all that we get is punished for the work we do. I don't want to even hear about other companies and their rates. It seems MQ would want to do something different, unlike the other companies, and KEEP their employees, not push them away to better companies. Thank you very much MedQuist! Not only is the price of everything going up, my pay is now going to go down, AGAIN. It took me from July of 2007 to now tomy income back up to where it was before your last reorganization. And Medquist just wants more and more from the MT/ME. HA!!!!! As well I can add, it takes month after month after month, if EVER, to even get put through the process for a pay raise!!!!! I love the way MQ treats its employees. I'm sure I won't be the only one who sounds off about this latest issue. This is an email I have ready to send to my 3 supervisors and the CEO. Should I????

I can't believe what I'm reading -- [2008-11-18]
It was bad enough when they cut us to 80%. For some of you newer folks, when ASR first started, we were paid at 100% because the system wasn't trained yet. Then a year or 2 later, they cut the rate to 80% and then down to 70%. All the while, the system was getting worse instead of better. I guess even though I didn't realize it then, I was one of the more fortunate ones who had 3 busy accounts in my primary group -- 1 of which was no ASR. Yes, folks, there are accounts that do not have ASR. Ask your supe to be put on one. Secondly, in case you didn't know, there are also MTs who do not do ASR. I don't know how they get away with it, but they do. You could also ask your supe to be taken off ASR altogether. You may end up in the cesspool more, but at least you'd be getting better pay for straight transcription. Lastly, ask for a raise. Each and every one of you should ask for a raise to offset this latest pay cut. While most will not get it, some of you just might. What have you got to lose by asking? They've taken just about everything else. As for the other companies that aren't any better, there are better companies out there. I found a great company that offers excellent pay, no ASR, and no time clock. I do not have benefits, but this wasn't an issue for me. There are also other companies out there that do offer benefits and have no ASR. Get off your tooshies and start looking. The only person you're hurting by staying with MQ is yourself. I am truly sorry for the indignant way MQ has come to treat their employees these last few years. It saddens me to see how much it has gone downhill since I first started with them 13 years ago. I hope you guys all find better -- you deserve it!

well... [2008-11-18]
our company did pay less for ASR, they paid 30% less than our base pay, now we only get paid for 60% of the ASR lines instead of 70% of the lines, so while they did pay less, they are paying EVEN LESS now...and for some of us who only make 7cpl, that's only 4.2cpl, almost half a regular line count...that's so little that if I did my required minimum of 100 lph, then that would be over $2 less than minimum wage an hour....when I started MQ they didn't have ASR, MQ purchased the company I worked for, then Phillips purchased MQ and that's about the time I believe the ASR started coming into the pic, I may be wrong on that timeline, but all I know is MQ purchased my company and at that time there was no ASR. I actually didn't have that much of an issue with ASR until it became almost 98% of what I do here in the last month, prior to that I got about 50/50 and it wasn't bad because the dictators were more clear, now it seems a lot of ESL docs are on ASR now, and that with the bouncing ate my pay as it is, now add the reduction in rate for ASR....you get the pic...sigh

Minimum wage laws... [2008-11-18]
If a company does any interstate trade, the Federal Minimum Wage Law would be the law they had to follow. For my state, minimum wage is still actually on the books at like $2.50 per hour. The issue here is that there are so few companies these days that don't do interstate trade that the Federal law supersedes the State law. Even though we are not hourly employees, they have to pay you at least minimum wage. Don't expect your job to last long though if you aren't making them their money off of it, even if you produce your minimum requirements. This is another one of those things they do just to get us to put out more work.

Last I heard on the PTO it was supposed to [2008-11-17]
carry over 40 hours unless you are in one of the states that caps the time you can accrue. If you are, I feel for you, because it sucks either way you look at it. It would be nice if they would just pay us for it since we earned it and some of the managers make it almost impossible to use. Still working on the issue as before. Last I heard was they were out for the day, back tomorrow. I work all night tonight, and will want to sleep Tuesday as per my norm. But no, I have to stay up for this call. Now I must not only stick to my schedule but someone else's too.

new teams, etc. [2008-11-16]
I had a tech issue a few days ago and recognized the tech, so made some small talk with h/h. I found out in passing that a bunch of the techs got laid off, so they're down to about 1/3 compared to previously. Since I rarely call tech, I simply didn't know this.In fact, I'm not sure where my previous mgmt team went or if they're still working for MQ. I realize there's a way to look these people up, but I've never looked in to it, etc. Sometimes I simply wonder if they're still around. Actually every one of my supers ( mgmt team) have all been very nice. Call it luck or whatever else, but that's a good thing for me. Of course, it's apparent that some were not so lucky.

This is what I would do [2008-11-15]
I would email CCM telling them the date I am going to PT and leave it at that. Why discuss it? Your decision is made. I don't understand why you should waste your time calling or discussing it. You don't need CCM's approval to go PT. You have an email paper trail if it comes back to you that you are not working your FT schedule. Oh, and send your new PT schedule with your email changing your status. My change to PT was pretty seamless and no phone call was required. It took her a while to change my schedule on eTime, but it wasn't a big issue. Good luck to you. Please don't waste any more time than necessary. Just do it!! ;-)

I beg to differ [2008-11-15]
If they have so many reports to process, why bother changing something that has no relevance to patient care and is pretty much a judgment call? Counting against the MT has absolutely nothing to do with it. This is the tool MQ implemented and too bad if we email whomever to disupte whatever. I have brought to my supe's and QA's attention ANY discrepancy, whether it be BOS, grammar, or CP, and the only feedback I've received was 'thank you for bringing that to our attention and we will notify the QA person.' Discrepancies have always been addressed timely. BTW, I researched all my discrepancies to be sure I was correct before emailing. Important issues? I really think any issue is important and if supes don't have enough time to address all issues, well, then something's wrong... ya think?

Yeah, I got a message from them (sm) [2008-11-12]
giving me my ticket # and stating that someone will get with me regarding this issue. So, I don't expect to hear from them until this afternoon, but I will be contacting them before then. LOL