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Constant Transtech emails saying they know work is low, but flex . . . .

Posted By: TT2 on 2009-05-07
In Reply to: Not to stir up trouble, but when we signed on didn't we agree not to - spread rumors, and instesad contact the office

This is NOT rumor.  Does no good to talk to the company.  They themselves are putting out the NO WORK emails to us.  They are aware of it.  Why talk to them them? 


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Anyone know what full time is at Transtech? Lines or hours? Do they flex schedule? nm
x
TransTech has very few emails and NO IM's
:)
Why doesn't Transtech send emails to

Why don't all of us get the SAME emails?


Why send to certain groups of people?


We should ALL be receiving the same emails at all times when sent out to MT's -- not just a certain group of MT's.


If emails saying, "You guys make Transtech rock" pays your bills, let me know, because

I have figured out a way to pay my bills with such **old, wornout** words.


Management is rocking alright, because their paychecks are not affected at all with the NO WORK/LOW WORK situation that has been going on now for MONTHS and MONTHS.  That seems so unfair when without the MT's, the mgmt would have no paychecks!!!!!


 


If emails saying, "You guys make Transtech rock" pays your bills, let me know, because

I have figured out a way to pay my bills with such **old, wornout** words.


Management is rocking alright, because their paychecks are not affected at all with the NO WORK/LOW WORK situation that has been going on now for MONTHS and MONTHS.  That seems so unfair that their high paychecks keep coming in to mgmt -- when without the MT's, the mgmt would have no paychecks!!!!!


 


I'm seeing emails asking MTs to work OT.
Work is definitely available on quite a few accounts.
Emails daily regarding TAT, order of work
it's usually first thing in morning; then the auto-generated emails regarding STATS. Otherwise, it's *no news is good news.*

It would seem strange to get no communication at all.
Make an auto-response for their emails.."I DON'T WORK HERE!" nm
x
All of the WORK RELATED emails, IMs, phone calls, etc...sm
Up until 05/13, I was a production paid MT that was expected to work a very structured, 6.5-hour shift that was to be performed from 9a-4p. HOWEVER, the constant disruptions that came from my supervisor and other staff members (mandatory IMs, emails, phone calls, on-line meetings, etc) was considered non-productive and had to be made up. It took me 8 to 10 hours a day (on a good day) to get in 6.5 hours of transcription! I was then accused of not sticking to my schedule because many of those hours were done in the evening (after the office went home) and I was finally left alone.

Could you even try to imagine anyone else (regardless of profession)being told to stay after their shift was over to make up any time spent performing work related tasks? It doesn't happen and never will!

Why are we expected to be so grateful to be at home when the only difference is demographics? Oh, and maybe a water cooler...


TTS spies on you with constant IM's.
NM
What's with the constant "chickenneck"
references?  Is she trying to say we are all old and wrinkly?  Just wondering.
The only constant in life

I am not unsympathetic, just uncomprehending. 


This MT has almost four months to prepare for the change. Even if she currently has no savings whatsoever, surely in that period of time anyone can manage to put aside a few days' pay for an event she knows is coming up.  


What if that MT voluntarily switched jobs and therefore paydays changed because of her decision?  What if this merger resulted in a layoff, as it did for me a couple of years ago?  At least she has some warning to make ready, which is something not everyone gets before an ''emergency.''  You cannot go through life expecting nobody ever to rock your boat and nothing bad ever to happen.  I would be working three jobs to put some money in the bank for the inevitable catastrophe that we never know the nature or the timing of, only that something is bound to go wrong.


Constant late payer..nm
x
This constant rebooting is taking up a lot of time.
nm
You should check your facts. They have had constant growth, being on the sm
INC 500 list a few times and articles in a few magazines. I have been with Keystrokes for 5 years. When I started, they had 40 or so MTs. Now there are over 300. They were run out of the owner's house. Then they rented an office that was very small for 2 years. Then they bought an office that was bigger and finally, this year, they built one that is huge. That is called growth. Are you going to see changes with growth like that? Yes. Are the choices all going to be perfect? No. Are the changes all going to be good? No. But I will say that if they make a mistake in a change, they are not afraid to change it back.

I think their biggest challenge is and always has been getting a good HR staff. It is time that they stop promoting MTs and look outside Keystrokes for an HR pro. The last person who did the hiring was a very nice person, but seemed very disorganized and a bit overwhelmed. I know she was an MT because I worked in house with her at a hospital for a while. I heard that they let her go last week and have been trying to fit her job in with others while hiring to replace her. I also heard that they are going to take their time and find a person who is used to hiring.

Is Keystrokes perfect? No, but they are one of the best out there right now and their growth will continue. They are sticking with the U.S. only policy and always will, according to the owners, but finding U.S. MTs is a challenge faced by many companies. Are there other companies out there better than Keystrokes? Not sure, but I make great money and have a lot of work, too much work, as they have a lot of new accounts and keep pulling people on the new accounts, asking us to work more.

I would rather be with a growing company that keeps the work here than one that is downsizing due to lack of work, such as many that we see and hear about here.

There are no problems at Keystrokes other than being very busy and trying to fill positions with the right people, which takes more than a 40-second phone call.
I don't get the constant chat about "overhired at Webmedx" - sm
My accounts are constantly running overtime. My STM is asking for OT on at least 3 accounts today and has been for the past month. If you are running out of work, ASK SOMEONE for more!
These constant rah rah replies without details hurt TT's
nm
They hardly have any work. Don't work if them if you don't like to flex and work every day mo
nm
Question about how to deal with constant interruptions, distractions, & guests dropping in...sm

When I brought my newborn home 10 years ago I had just started my first at-home  MT job.   I felt like the most blessed person in the world!   Keeping that precious new baby home with me was all the incentive I needed to work 7 to 8 full hours while she slept.  The fact that I lived off the beaten path was also a great help. 


Well, here I sit 10 years later at 5:19 a.m., (I haven't been to bed yet BTW) just starting my fourth report that should have been transcribed yesterday, trying to get as much done before 7:00 a.m. before my manager gets in and realizes yesterday's work was just finished moments ago.   I pull more all nighters now than I did at 21.  This tired body can't handle it anymore.  I actually have been getting pitting edema.  I sit a lot, just can't produce much.


Soon, my once precious newborn, now 5th grader will be getting up to go to school in an hour, so I'm really hustling.  I have a doctor's appointment at 11:00 a.m. 30 miles away (Adderall refill, can't be missed) so when I get home I will have today's work to start on, so sleep or even a cat nap is out of the question. 


So what's the problem? My clueless non-working SAHM/sisters ask ironically during my peak work hours.   GRRRRR.  I've reached the end of my rope.


Non MTs just don't get it.  You all know what I'm talking about: 


1.  The constant phone calls.


2.  The cousin that's leaving for Iraq in 2 weeks (you may never see again) who stops in for 3 hours to visit.  Sorry, but knowing that could be our last visit will not allow me to ask him to go.


3.  Cash Advance places calling looking for your deadbeat aunt who listed you as a sister that hasn't paid them back yet, wanting you to contact her.


4.  Mom calling to ask if you can take Dad to the doctor because she has to work. 


5.  Here's the best yet...My sister actually called me from her job to tell me her horse got out and needed me to go put it back up.  This is even when I worked for a hospital and clocked in over the phone.  HELLO!!!!  You too can clock out and take care of your personal crap.  Despite where it is,  I TOO have a JOB!!


I've tried screening my calls, but can't help but stop and look at my caller ID to make sure it's not the school.  It doesn't matter though because if I do overcome the urge to pick up the phone I can't hear the dictation until the answering machine shuts up.   Well since my rhythm is broken anyway, why not toss in a load of laundry?  I even tried putting a nicely worded sign on my door stating that I am working, just to have family members come on in because, I couldn't have possibly been referring to them.  Then, when I finally get in that groove I've been after all day, it's 3:35 and here comes the schoolbus and it's time to put on the Mommie hat. 


 How do you all deal with all this and stay focused without overdosing on Adderall (I do have ADHD on a good day) and Klonopin (just in the last year) because of the panic attacks?  I am struggling to work a PT job for goodness sake!


Today I finally did it.  I have rented my own personal office space!!  I'm so excited.  I have felt just like a prisoner in my own home... never leaving the house.  I have actually hopped in the car just to go get gas, for a moment away.  I volunteer to mow the lawn now.  I just want to enjoy my home again. 


So my question is...How many other at-home MTs here regardless of status have had to resort to renting a small office somewhere just so you can work?  Did your productivity improve?  Did home feel like home again...your haven?  I would love to hear all of your experiences good and bad, and will gladly share mine in a week or two. 


 


 


Well I don't work for Transtech and this discussion isn't about Transtech...
and that is not age discrimination....give me a break...
That is a BIG problem at TransTech is leads assigning work, rather than letting the work flow
This TT MT just admitted to that fact.  It has been very obvious, as so easy to tell how work comes into our que and then gets pulled out as fast as it came in and replaced with YUKKY dictators.   VERY frustrating to us other TT MT's who take the JUNK that is NOT assigned to other MT's, such as this poster. 
There is NO work at Transtech. Maybe they just choose special people to send work to
df
NO WORK at Transtech -- did no good to work the holiday for 1.5 lines, did it?
I am sure the office staff will share their PAID HOLIDAY MONIES with us who sit here with no work.  This has gotten to be such a frustrating profession.  I guess I need to relocate to Houston so that I can work in the office, too, and reap those wonderful paid benefits that us at-home piecemeal workers do not get.
flex
thanks for your help.  I don't have kids either or another job, but from time to time an emergency has come up but my present job seems to frown on it even though I usually make the time up or use PTO, and plus I like to stretch my legs that might not be on a scheduled break but still very much needed once again.  Thanks!
They do have a flex
You have a 12 hour window to return work, and also for some of the clinic and acute care positions they do offer M-F positions.  They did ask for a preferred schedule because I am interested in employee status and not IC.  I'm looking for a position that has healthcare benefits and the cost at MedScribe is fair.  They also have a bonus plan.  I am testing with them now.
Not all of them. The one that I am on is flex.
xx
You could flex or PT on the IC...SM
job, since as an IC, they cannot hold you to a schedule or line count.  You can see how the IC account, the one you want, holds up until you throw in the first job.  To pass muster, the new job should: A) provide you with enough work, and B) provide you with good, honest communication between yourself and mgmt. The bottom line is, which company will give you the bigger bang for your buck, ie, better decision money-wise.  Good luck on your decision.
Are they willing to flex for you whenever you need it
Or are they one of those who make you stick to a schedule when it's convenient for them?

My company's great about me flexing, which is why I don't mind flexing for them when needed. I understand not everyone has such flexibility, though I wish we all did.
you should consider returning PT flex....
if you get cesspool, sign off. If you get your accounts stay on. It is not too hard to get 2000 lines per week. You could probably manage it on the weekend when work volume is higher.

My work pools have improved over the last month or so. I get my primary, secondary, and then accounts from my PS's BOB. Usually I sign off when my primary and secondary are finished.
Thanks for the info! I'm already PT-Flex
with MQ so probably would do both for a while. My only problem with MDI would be 5 days a week as I do have something else going on. I work four 5-hour days now and it works great for me. I'm going to call MDI today. Good luck to you!
flex time
Sometimes when it is slow in the morning, I e-mail the office and flex my hours to work a few hours in the evening depending on what my plans are. I have found the work ALWAYS picks up later in the afternoon. I know this doesn't work for everybody, but I always manage to get more than my minimum by being flexible when I can be.
Flex e-mail
Well, I actually AM an employee, but I haven't seen any e-mail about flexing.  This is why I was asking.  Maybe it went to the other IDC loop.  Sorry that I asked.
That's no big deal. Flex if you must.

I, for one, hate to work on a Monday, and find it great if I can flex that day. There is so much I need to do on a Monday, so it falls right into my schedule.


Usually it only happens at the end of the pay period, not every Monday,  but don't complain about it unless you want to change your schedule.Then talk to someone about it. I flex all the time if necessary.


Flex time
Am looking to slow down,  does flex time even exist anymore or per diem ?  Would appreciate any input, looking to do approximately 10 - ? hrs a week to keep up skills. 
Flex time
Flex time as we once knew it no longer exists at the co I work for. The only time flex time comes into play is when you've had OT earlier in the week and on Friday you are asked to flex off your OT hours...sign out early so they don't have to pay you OT. We can sometimes flex our time to get in our 8 hours for power outages, electrical storms, etc. Otherwise, strictly assigned hours.javascript:editor_insertHTML('text','');
Yes, I have to flex but that's my own choice

I draw from a pool of work; sometimes it's heavy.  I also juggle 3 other accts on my own.  I often flex all around due to my life, but if I were an employee, I'd have a big problem with no work available during my set schedule. 


Have you considered an IC position?  I know most require a set schedule these days, but obviously it doesn't work very well when the workflow cannot be controlled.


I've been doing this a long time and not one day for me has been just an even keel... it's the nature of the business I suppose.  We can't control who gets sick when and if or how often they see the doctor or are admitted to the hospital.  It's definitely a profession where you have to say enough is enough and that report can wait a bit until I take care of this or that....  good luck to U! 


Yes they offer flex schedules
You have a 12 hour window to get in your daily scheduled hours.
Is it a given you can flex and make up time or (sm)
do you have to have specific permission from your supervisor? I know when I worked for MQ it was always designated when you could and couldn't make up time.
no PTO for Flex PT. Yes, they provide equip. nm
x
Need PT Flex with 401K Matching

Does anyone know about any companies out there where I can still work PT and get matching or 1/2 matching contributions to a 401K?  I have 10 years before official SS retirement. 



Thanks for your info. I had considered doing PT flex with MQ (sm)
to sort of cover my bases, but I have such a good feeling about Webmedx and I want to go into the situation open minded and refreshed and free to put all my effort into the new position.

I too will be on the Enterprise side I think, at least I know I am using their computer.

Thanks again. Soon-to-be-coworker.
They are no longer hiring PT flex MTs. nm.
nm
No pay for downtime. You are asked to flex. NM
xx
12-hr flex for me too; definitely depends on your acct. sm
Average pay, nice bonus structure, good benefits. I like the platform and the people.
Flex time? Can you tell me how that works? nm
,
Do you find you have to flex time too much?
I do sometimes. I picked a set schedule with my company for a reason, and I have a life outside of medical transcription. I don't think companies get that sometimes.
I had to flex yesterday - some of my peaches (sm)
were ready so I made jam with my down time. Well worth it to me yesterday.
If by flex, you mean jumping through hoops,
yes, I flex.  I wouldn't have any work otherwise.  It is all on their terms if I want to get a paycheck. 
Not when you have to flex several times a week
That's not a 2-way street.
Okay. Flex your time. Change your schedule if necessary. sm
If you have been in this business any length of time, you should know how work volumes fluctuate, especially around the holidays. 
By flex your time, do you mean the window they give you (sm)
or something else? I can't even get the hours in during the window for running out of work. Do you just mean make up time during the week? thanks.