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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

They gave you a 5 cpl raise in 7 years?!

Posted By: sm on 2009-09-17
In Reply to: pay - sunny

That's the first I've ever heard of MQ doing anything like that, unless you started as a newbie at 3 or 4 cpl or something. Wow.


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If they gave the MLS a raise, they would not be able to
give themselves the big raises and bonuses they get. They want to keep us crawling.
Raise? No. There for 2 years. Never even
had a performance appraisal. I have had QA random reviews that let me know my quality is 98.9%.
I make that too, have not had a raise in 12 years though.
.
I had a bad experience 4 years ago but gave them another chance after sm
a friend of mine was there for a while and was having a great experience. The problems were years ago and behind them. I was also there during the bounced checks, and I got a copy of the bank letter. They never lied to me though. Going back was the best thing I did, and they contacted me the same day with an offer. That was about 19 months ago and I am very happy. Direct deposit was a good move for them (or any company).
If you have worked for us for two years and haven't gotten a raise or a bonus....
you need to contact Liz, as she states. We have many bonuses for weekends (when busy) and we also pay LD. If you are not getting long distance paid - speak to Liz. If you are a true employee, and not just getting on the bashing bandwagon, then Liz can help you.
20 years, never heard of a raise in production outside of payscale...
and we all know those went down due to supply and demand no longer in our favor.
I started 18 years ago and gave up a very good career
at a major medical association where I was just starting to move. I was 26, married three years and having my first child. I wanted desperately to stay home with him, but back then, my husband was not making quite enough to keep us afloat.
I just fell into MT when I saw an ad in the paper posted by a local MTSO. I thought, I've worked with doctors before and I know how to type. Well, I failed their test, but they were running an in-house class that cost $100 for six months, and the promise of a job as long as I could pass the test at the end. We had $123 in our savings account, and against my husband's wishes, I invested $100 of it in that course. It was well worth it!
Socially, it was hard at first to be isolated at home with children and work, but it's great now that they are all teenagers. I've always known where my kids were and been there for them when they needed me. I worked part-time for many, many years, and that gave me the chance to relax, not be stressed, go on hikes in the afternoons, or have a paddle in my kayak occasionally while the kids were in school.
I have a bachelors degree from Temple University and majored in marketing. My husband is a CPA, and we'll be married 22 years this January. He is now a partner in a small firm. He gets very good medical benefits and insurance, but no vision or dental plan. I'm sure that if I had worked for 20 years and attended to a career rather than a job, I'd be making six figures these days. I certainly don't make that doing medical transcription! But, I worked hard at raising my kids, and I have three great ones! I've saved bushels of money because I've not had to buy an office wardbrobe, pay train fare to the office, or send my children to daycare.
I have been very, very fortunate in that we no longer need my income to survive, but now I have the time to work full-time, the kids need me less, and I can still be reasonably flexible and unstressed. And, I'm still here when my teenagers need me, even though that's not as often as before. Yes, the industry has changed, but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing!
Years ago figured 10 words/line at .01 cpl gave us
s
Exactly. Gave mine up years ago. Waste of time & money.
x
That is MTSO PR b.s. A raise is a raise in line rate. A bonus or incentive is just that. NOT sm

a raise.


Asking for a raise isn't going to do it. There is a policy for raise increases.
nm
I once gave my notice when I was in a non-MT position, gave

2 weeks, but the person I was supposed to train felt like she knew my job better than I did (although she knew squat) and was a pain to deal with, never on time, etc. so I only worked about a week of my notice before I left and told the person I was supposed to train that since she knew more than I did have at it.  Anyway the owner wouldn't pay me for vacation.  I filed a complaint with the labor board and they were more than happy to get my money for me.


Breitner can threaten all they want to.  If you can document that you are owed monies, if Breitner can't prove that you aren't owed monies the labor board will be glad to collect your money.  I would also file a complaint with the Attorney General .   I have heard several people have had payment issues with them while the still worked for them.  If people are willing to let them get away with it by just chalking it up to experience, then they will continue to try to get away with it.  I'd contact the IRS too.   I don't know what Breitner thinks they can do to you - let them threaten all they want to.  A word of advice - DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT.  


How do you get a raise with MQ?
So, how do you get raises without asking?  Yearly?  I did not get a raise since 1998 and asked two years ago.  I got less than a fourth of a penny more per line.  I dont like DQS.  We dont get paid for the demographics screen, yet most of my doctors do not fill the screen in or they put in the wrong MR#.  So I can spend up to three minutes each report trying to decipher what name the doctor is stating or spelling and then search for the name.  If you figure three minutes per report, 40 or so reports a day.  That is money I deserve but am not getting.  For pete sake, we dont get paid for downtime researching words, lab results, medications, the least they can do is pay for the demographics screen.
MQ raise
Dittos,have been with MQ 9 years and no raise. After DQS, line count fell dramatically, so no more quarterly bonuses. They are a bunch of scoundrels that are taking advantage of their employees.
RE: How do you get a raise with MQ?
Everything your complain about in your post is a part of your job. You are supposed to verify, transcribe a report accurately. That should include the patient's name, medications, laboratory values, etc. Have you ever read the job description of a transcriptionist?
You must be one of those that got a raise or
got a decent account with a team leader that is available.  This company offers no way of advancing into any kind of management, no way to change accounts, nasty teamleaders, no raises, no communication, and just gives a lot of hot air promises that never happen.  The biggest change since Transcend took over is that there are no more bonuses which was the best part of the company. 
What should I do about a raise?

I have been working for Spheris for a year and started at 5.5 cpl and after 6 months went to Level-1 only making 6.5 cpl.  I am still having to work crazy hours to make decent pay.  Has anyone from Spheris ever asked for a raise and actually received one without jumping through hoops and switching accounts.  The only way to get an extra cent raise is to be trained on 2 different accounts until they are learned and then get an extra cent.  Has anyone ever just asked for a raise??  I would like to make 8 cpl preferably, but would be happy with the 1 cnt raise.  I have a feeling they won't do that.


I tested for Transcend Services and passed their testing and was only offered 7 cpl to start which is only a 0.5 difference.  So, of course I turned that down.  Anyone have any advice? 


When, if ever, should a MT ask for a raise?
Been with the company for almost a year.  I have acquired three private accounts through them. When should I ask, if ever, for a raise? Wait until the one year mark?  If so, what is the best way of going about it?  Has anyone ever gotten a raise from their company? I am an MT with over 14+ years experience, get paid decent, but absolutely NO BENEFITS...tia
raise
I haven't had one either and its been 8 years and a large company.  I'm sure they have perks
raise

ha ha.  The way it goes in this industry is  --great news!  We have new software!  You have to double your output for a cut in pay.  Doesn't go that way in upper management does it.  If a CEO doubles the output he gets a raise -- we are lucky to get new software that requires we double our output, working just as hard, for less money. Wake up. The middle class is disappearing.  It's time to get involved in democracy again, people.


 


 


WE NEED A RAISE!!!!! nm
nm
Raise to what? 5-1/2 cpl?
x
RE: Raise to what?
It does start at 5 cpl because we've been burned by MTs that said they were highly experienced and then their work did not show that and/or they were extremely unreliable. This is just a 'probationary' phase while the MT gets to show us what she can do, we can show what a great company we are and then it does go up. That can be negotiable and it is dependent on how well the MT does. If she is unreliable and does not get out of QA after working on the account or accounts after several months, why should we pay more? We're a small company,not a national and we do not rake in the big bucks. We have MTs that have been with us for years because they are treated fairly and we do remember that things come up and do not threaten you with being let go because a family member got sick. Thanks for all of those that responded and we will be notifying those that we have chosen soon.
WOW a RAISE
I have NEVER gotten a raise in my 10 years of transcribing. So your 0.25% sounds nice.
Raise...
I got 3 with the first company I worked at home with. I worked 5 years for them and didn't get a raise the last 2. I also got a raise with the 2nd company I worked with. I was only there a little over a year. The 3rd and current company I have not been with long enough to ask for a raise. Good luck!
Raise?
How long have you been there? I was thinking of asking for a raise but was told they do not give raises! Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!!
raise
I agree - start with your liason - send an email outlining why you should get a raise and ask her to forward it as appropriate.
Raise
Basically, I was just wasting too much time and fooling myself about how many hours I was actually working. I had convinced myself that it was a good thing to take mental breaks, while I was working, going to message boards like this one or other web sites. I also discovered I wasn't really working full time, and I thought I was. I started tracking my hours more closely, and when I actually worked 8 hours a day, of course my production went up significantly. I THOUGHT I was working close to 8 hours a day, but now I think it must have been more like 6-1/2 or 7 (I have a flexible schedule). My new rule now is to really work during work time and work a full shift. It's made a big difference. I honestly didn't realize how off track I had gotten and how it was hurting my line count.
You really don't think no one is getting a raise??
or paid what they should now?? I completely disagree and don't think you can validate that statement. Just sure ain't MTs. You don't think the MTSO management, for instance, are getting their raises or are paid well? Think part of the MT problem is related exactly to that perhaps.
pay raise
I posted a message last night on the main board and it got deleted, so I'm posting here.  I have been in transcription for 10 years.  I have been working the past 2 years with a certain company.  I asked for a raise and went from .085 to .0875.  I felt like I got slapped in the face.  I work my scheduled hours without taking a lot of time off, meet and exceed the minimum line requirements, had a 98% on QA, work extra when asked, and after 2 YEARS all I get is a .0025 raise???!!!!  I'm thankful that I got a raise at all, but this is ridiculous.  It's offensive actually.  It makes me feel like I'm not valued at all.  I was hoping to at least get .09.  Am I overreacting? Should I jump ship and try to find something better?  I'm afraid to gripe about it to the company as I'm a single mom of 2 and don't want to lose my job.  Any advice?
Raise
I have asked for a raise and my ROM even asked for a raise for me but was told I am at the top of the scale.  There are no raises.
Appreciate those of you that gave
helpful responses
Well you just gave yourself away on who you are.
You really need to try and hold it in
Yep but many of us gave above and beyond for that
company and to be lied to and treated like we were in the end is a disgrace.  If you're happy good for up, but with their ethics I wouldn't work for them again. 
You are not alone. Me, I gave up. nm.
x
before they gave my job away to
India last year, I was in-house, hourly, but we had to justify time-loss the last 5 or 6 years because people were always coming in, even at night when I was alone, and interrupting your work flow. I will say we had a service helping, and everybody was first-in, first-out, except for x-rays and path, so we all got our share of horribles to contend with.
Me too. But, I gave up. Although I got
responses back from my resume and or testing they were interested (several), never heard back from any so I just increased workload to help on weekends at regular IC job. Oh, well. Guess they got busy with so many resumes, or the scare of the economic down-turn. Hope you all hear back. It is tough to wait for an interview, because bill collectors do not understand about these things LOL.
FORGET THE RAISE
Was there 2 years and asked, did not receive!!!  Worked LOTS of HOURS and holidays and weekends for them (still kicking myself).  I am glad Focus is working out for you.  You would have to be in the minority though.  Communication is TERRIBLE.  If you are F/T and a real producer, you are constantly emailed, IM'd and even called while you are out shopping after a long day to Please log back in even as an IC!!!  Their cpl is not good at all but couple that with the way they count their lines (very questionable), you cannot survive on their cpl pay. 
self-employed getting a raise
But with MT it's a little bit of a sticky wicket. We are self employed, BUT if we are working as an IC for a company we are really at their mercy, and I'm sure, as some above posters mentioned, the companies we work for are getting raises from their clients, so one would think that $$ would naturally be passed on down. Of course, we can ask for a raise, but they can say no, and then what? If we are happy with the company we are with do we just suck it up and hope for a raise tomorrow/next year? In my opinion, if we've got the experience under our belt, turn in consistently quality work, and our company is constantly praising us, seems to me they should do the offering of a raise. But unfortunately that just is not happening.
RAISE YOUR HANDS PLEASE
Those of you who fit the description previous mentioned of companies that remain in the USA and truly respect US hardworking MTs, please identify yourselves so we will ALL know who you are!
Is is ever appropriate for an MT to request a raise?

Would anyone who has requested a raise be willing to share their experience with me?  How long were you with the company before you asked for a raise?  Were you an IC or an employee?  What was your company's response in general?  If you were granted a raise, what was considered before it was given to you?  Time in?  Quality of work?  Production?  Attitude/flexibility?  Coming up on my 1 year anniversary an IC and would like to ask for 0.05 cent/line raise, but don't know if I should even consider doing so.  Would not want the company to lower their opinion of me/punish me for asking.  Your kind, and most importantly, nonsarcastic responses are greatly appreciated.  This is a sincere post.


Congrats on your raise

I am happy to see someone get a raise for a change even though it should have been more that what they gave.


I currently work for Spheris and it seems nobody ever gets a raise no matter what.  


They promised you a raise already? Or is that
not what you meant? I just find that surprising. Is the pay good? Do you have enough work on 1 account? Is it internet? Wondering if I should check them out.
They promised you a raise already? Or is that
not what you meant? I just find that surprising. Is the pay good? Do you have enough work on 1 account? Is it internet? Wondering if I should check them out.
i agree. raise ur own
x
OSi, only 0.002 per year raise. nm

nm


I got a raise no problem...did you ask for one?
nm
you looking for a raise or sumtin?
Or a promotion maybe? LOL.
They give you a raise after your

Also, is VR worked in with the typing?


RAISE. geezus.
x
LK - GIVING YOURSELF A RAISE?
Hey LK - I'm always looking for different strategies to increase my productivity. Would you care to share what techniques and strategies you used to give yourself that 13% bump in productivity? I could sure use some ideas once in awhile!

TIA :-)