FOUR SEASONS TRANSCRIPTION...PAY YOUR MTs.. Poor BrokeMT has been fighting you for months.

• Four Seasons Transcription and Robin Hall...a tale of deception and duplicity. sm - BrokeMT
  • Four Seasons Transcription - Fed Up
    • Yes, that's exactly how it started out with me...sm - BrokeMT
  • Four Seasons - Laura
  • Robin is advertising for MTs on guru.com - transcriber
  • FOUR SEASONS, WE....... - I know a police man
  • FOUR SEASONS TRANSCRIPTION...PAY YOUR MTs.. Poor BrokeMT has been fighting you for months. - Oh my..
  • Rely on your contract - you did have one - right? nm - just curious
  • ME TOO/WHAT WILL YOU DO? - MoodyJen
  • Is this the same RH? - RetroMom

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Do not join Four  Seasons Transcription, Virginia, USA. I got duped 2000 K.

I was a current employee of Robin Hall's that still hung on thinking and believing she would pay me.  My paycheck was 5 weeks late when I finally said enough is enough.  I told her I quit as of 02/01/08.  Since that time she does not show online, does't answer her home phone, cell phone, or e-mail.  This woman is a very very good con artist and apparently has been operating this way for a long time.  I even called on her business number listed on her business webpage... guess what... that number has been disconnected with no forwarding number.  I still have yet to be paid and she owes me over $800.  The part I feel the worst about, I referred a friend to her shortly after I started.  She owes my friend over $900 and can't get a hold of Robin either.  I know there's probably not much I can do about what she did to me but I hate that fact that she will continue to cheat honest, hard working MT's.  I've posted on just about every site I can think of from Guru (where she found me) to Freelance.com.  If anyone can think of any other sites I'll post on them too.  I can't stress enough, please before you accept a position IC or employee status with ANY company..... check them out in any way possible.

Becka

I'm assuming the company you are dissatisifed with is TransHealth . I myself have just started there recently and I am very disappointed.  The people are so nice, but my line count is so low.  I can't really figure out what is wrong because I feel like I am typing well but my line count is SO low.  Is this what is happening to you?

organize MTs throughout the country?  It seems like, judging by what I read in MR forums, that part of the problem is that when people first come into the business, they have no idea of what their hard work is worth.  Regardless of the fact that hospitals want to pay the lowest possible price for transcription, the only people who should be settling for less than 10, 12 or more cents/line are ESLs in India, etc.  American workers should be standing up for American wages.  Yes, there are some companies who will say, Fine, I'll contract with India.  Believe me, you wouldn't want those companies as employers, or to work for hospitals or clinics that operate that way.  Heck... I sure wouldn't put my care in the hands of a doc that uses offshore transcription services, that's for sure! 

SO, what I'm saying is, there must be some way to bring MTs from all areas, and of all experience levels together (OUTSIDE of AAMT, which has been in large part responsible for alot of the problem!), and organize for a decent living wage and health benefits.  If all of us were to stop working for 3 days, 1 week max, do you think that work would all suddenly be sent offshore?  I don't think so.  Some might, but then again, it's a good way to week out the undesirable clients & employers. 

I think we our often our own worst enemy when it comes to wages.  If we continue to accept less than what we're worth, then that's all we can expect to earn.

Also, I'm surprised that some entrepreneuring MT company hasn't cashed in on all the newbies and in-school MTs out there who just want experience and a chance.  Imagine if one of the larger, more respected services were to open an MT SCHOOL as well.  They would receive an income from instruction fees.  MTs could gradually cross over from student to trainee.  MTs could earn extra money as teachers.  (And should be paid well for it, too.)  The company training the MTs would have first pick of the best and brightest for work in their own company.  Beyond that, there would be more money to be made when it comes to referrals. 

The healthcare industry needs to be more educated in the fact that transcription is a vital part of their work, and how well their reports are done is a direct reflection of their competency.  If you look at how much money is wasted in these establishments on FLUFF -- excess management, inept management, some community programs, and in some cases excess in building glitz and glamour, one has to wonder why they feel transcription is a less-valuable service than those provided by their janitors, groundskeepers, or food service personnel.

One way to fight the low-wage problem is to continue to lobby for an end to offshoring of personal information, not only in the healthcare industry, but in ALL American industry.  NO personal data: phone numbers, credit card numbers, etc. should EVER leave American soil without the express written consent of the owner of that data.

Another way to fight low wages is to do as much research as possible on prospective employers.  Remember, they are not just interviewing you, you are also interviewing THEM!  Go with the best-paying company you can find.  If you are new to the field, that will be harder, but in your case finding the best learning environment is your best bet, and then work hard at getting proficient enough to be able to LEAVE a low-paying employer ASAP for a better-paying one. 

In terms of being an IC, I know it's difficult to deal with people undercutting you.  But once again, don't forget that when someone turns down high-quality transcription and goes with the lower-quality provider, simply because of a couple-cent-per-line difference in cost, the way to look at that client is Good Riddance!  I used to have my own, non-MT, service-related business.  I had two ways of weeding out the undesireables: 

One was a waiver of liability.  If they squawked about signing it, or started picking it apart like they were big legal experts, then I knew right away they were a future legal liability.  (Of course, that is less of an issue with MT... I don't know of MTs that make clients sign waivers!  It's just a 'fer instance.)  But the best way to weed out the cheapskates and nit-pickers was to charge a slightly HIGHER fee than my competitors.  I offered a higher-quality, more personalized service than my competitors.  So I stood firm on my prices.  And you know what?  There are clients who will actually LOOK for the higher fee, knowing that if you can command and get a higher fee, you are probably a better service provider. 

Also, steer clear of new clients who want a special deal or discount right off the bat.  They will NEVER be satisfied; give them an inch and they'll take a mile.  I believe that discounted rates are EARNED, not given out on demand.  A long-time client who is honest, pays on time, tips, is slightly flexible, etc., who gives you steady, reliable work that is easier to do, should be rewarded with a deal.  But that deal should only be between you and them, and not broadcast to other clients.

Some of my BEST business clients turned out to be people who at first pooh-poohed my fees, and went with the cheaper provider.  Quite a few of them came crawling back on their hands and knees later; sadder but wiser, and more than willing to pay what I charged.  And often they had such a big mess that needed to be straightened out (usually caused by the cheaper provider) that I initially had to charge EXTRA, on top of my normal fees, to straighten it all out!  These people often came to be my biggest TIPPERS, as well! 

 I think we have all been conditioned to believe we are lucky to have a job at all, and we need to start rethinking that.  MT's need to stick together, network, lobby against offshoring and unfair pay, UNIONIZE if at all possible or beneficial, and be far more VOCAL.  The normally quiet nature of most MTs and their behind-the-scenes work usually works against them when it comes to fair labor practices!  Those of us with many years of experience & skill need to TURN DOWN job offers that are insultingly low. 

Anyway, that's my take on the el-cheapo employers & clients, and the low pay they think we'll get down on our knees and thank them for!   

Happy 2007!  

Text removed by Administrator as it was threatening in nature.

I am so sorry this happened to you.  Can you contact the Department of Labor in your area?

I almost worked for her in QA, but believe it or not, the day she was suppose to call me for training, she didn't call and never did call me again. I thought well maybe that should tell me something about this so I never pursued it.  We had already signed the contract and everything!!!! 

Seasons Greetings to Our MTs !

       It is that time of the year again – time to thank you for all of your hard work, and the high quality of your deliverables.  It is because of your skills and long hours of dedication that management has had yet another very profitable year.

      Therefore, in spite of cost of living increases for our MT staff, in order for our management to maintain the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed, MT line rates will be cut yet again, back to earnings realized in the mid-1980's, to maintain management salaries, plush offices, free lunches and holiday parties.

      Someone must sacrifice, and we are counting on the transcriptionists once again as we cut customer prices again in order to maintain work in the United States, raise management salaries and continue the perks which management enjoys at the office.  MTs must bear the brunt of the customer rate cuts, and it is the MTs that will fulfill the promises we have made to our accounts.  MTs will continue to sit patiently, without hourly compensation, waiting for work to be dumped into the system at the whim of the customer. 

       From a fiscal standpoint, management salaries must be maintained; MTs will be on their own to make ends meet.  MTs are expected to find ways to work around the pay and benefit cuts, by taking on two full-time jobs to earn the same salary that one full-time job afforded in past years, or by moving their families into cardboard boxes under the interstate.

       I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday cards signed by all members of office management during a workless afternoon and free lunch.  The cards were sent out a couple of weeks ago, as the office will be closed for four days over the holiday.  Please contact leads or other MTs with questions or to report changes in your contact info

(new addresses under interstate, disconnected phone numbers, etc.), as management will be out of state, far from the office, receiving full pay for each of the days that the office is closed during the holidays.

      MTs holiday schedules will remain the as always, and those who want to earn holiday pay will need to work two days prior to the holiday, two days after the holiday, three weekends in a row, and all other scheduled days for the next month, in order to earn $0.000000021 extra per holiday line.

       Happy Holidays to all transcriptionists and their families, and may 2009 show continued success, salary raises and perks for members of management.

Sincerely,

Gree D. Boss, CEO

This HORRIBLE low/no work situation has been going on at TT for almost a year now.  You can't convince me it is due to Memorial Day.  Are holidays now assigned in this world to being daily. 

That is an excuse these companies use in these no work situations, but it is due to their OVERHIRING.  Holidays just come on a daily basis, but LOW WORK/NO WORK is happening and has happened going on a year now at TransTech.  Always asking to flex into the middle of the night, EVERY weekend, etc. 

The TT mgmt checks are NEVER affected, tho, so they can continue to HIRE EVERY MT who gives them a call, and create a NO WORK situation for all of us.  The newbie MT's are cheering at first, but then realize that it hit them in the paycheck, too, and very soon it did!!!!!!!

I got paid per line during QA but had to submit 10 reports at a time for review and then had to wait around for approval of each set before I was allowed to type again.  Sometimes I was idle for 1 to 1-1/2 hours after each set waiting for the go ahead.  Needless to say, I lost a lot of money that way. 

sap who hired on.  I think the statement is correct in that they only do overflow work, too. The account I was on was behind on discharge summaries for 15 days. 

I have never worked for another national so I have had nothing to compare Transcend to but I am happy with my choice and I am not a newbie.

The size of the company is comfortable and the people I work with are great. If I were truly being a cheerleader for the company, I would post my name too.  I'm not trying to recruit anyone. I just stated my own personal opinion based on my experience and was curious to know how you came to yours since you posted it.

I just don't understand why the negative posters have to be so nasty.  If I was unhappy with a company, I would say why but not bash.  That's not my style and I think its playing dirty.

Have I always been happy with them?  No.  There have been times when I wanted to just give it up but I didn't. I saw it through and have been glad I did every time.

It's my fit though.  It obviously wasn't a good fit for you and that's fine too.