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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

We have privacy laws in this country, and you are held accountable. Our privacy laws

Posted By: don't apply overseas on 2008-05-23
In Reply to: Well,.... - elevalady

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EXACTLY! HIPAA protects the privacy of your health information IN THIS COUNTRY!
Once your protected health information leaves this country, your privacy is no longer protected.  So while you may not trust your neighbor to know your medical history, you can trust that if they breech your privacy, you have legal recourse and you can have their jobs!  In India, if someone holds your health records hostage and threaten to publish them on the internet because they didn't get their 2 cpl, you are basically screwed! 
This is an invasion of privacy. sm

This is my PC, not theirs.  Also, I do work for other companies with whom I have signed confidentiality agreements and their monitoring is in direct violation of these other agreements. 


It's none of their business who else I do work for.  They shouldn't be allowed to view my emails or see what web sites I go to, etc.  I believe they could end up being sued by someone because of this business practice.


maybe for privacy purposes
I have kept things out.

I'm sorry that you feel I have holes. Are you a recruiter that can assist me in obtainin a job if I give you all my personal information? If you are then I would be glad to share my work history with you.

After posting I was given a copy of the BOS (thank you!!) and I passed the next two tests that I was given...not surprising that was my problem from the beginning.

So, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO POSTED HERE, YOUR HELP WAS VASTLY APPRECECIATED AND GREATLY IMPROVED MY SUCCESS!!
thus would really be invading of privacy,
nobody else's business.
This would be more than socialism.
Sounds like a bit of privacy-invasion, to me.......nm
.
No such thing as privacy anymore anyway
Do people not realized that *most* of their movements are not tracked in one way or the other? Think about this the next time you go in public in anything larger than the tiniest towns. Think about the paper trails you leave 24/7.

Seriously, the day Americans allowed the so-called Patriot Act to be written into law *without being read* they gave up some of the last remaining protections for privacy. Sadly, a huge number of people don't even realize the ramifications of this act.

Some may think what I just wrote - and the issue on the board - are two separate issues, but they are not.

As Benjamin Franklin said so well: He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither.


You want them to be held accountable for the fact they didn't hire you (sm)?
If I could guess maybe they didn't like your attitude, maybe they realized from talking to you that you were just the kind of employee they did not want to be accountable for (and from your snotty remarks on here, I bet they sure feel justified now that they passed on you)JMHO.

You say it is suspicious, why? What is suspicious about a company not hiring you? They do have that right don't they or do you just think anytime you put in a resume you should automatically get the job? Enlighten me please, because your post has me confused.

Diskriter offshores in a huge way, which means privacy is compromised and American jobs are lost

Stop the carnage and quit working for these companies!  Protect your own interests! 


 


Fed laws for OT pay
For years, Cymed only paid some people a premium for working OT hours. We didn't even know they were paying some people and not others, let alone that they were supposed to be paying EVERYONE premium pay.

Found the following re: Federal Gov't laws covering OT worked:

http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/whdfs22.htm
This fact sheet provides general information concerning what constitutes compensable time under the FLSA. The Act requires that employees must receive at least the minimum wage and may not be employed for more than 40 hours in a week without receiving at least one and one-half times their regular rates of pay for the overtime hours. The amount employees should receive cannot be determined without knowing the number of hours worked.

They not under our laws
that is how they get away with it
It has to do with employment laws in SM
those states.
You have to be IC because of labor laws sm

I don't know of any companies like this because they have to verify the # of hours you work.  Most places require a set # of hours per week, if you are full time often 32-40 hours, PT 20-32.  All I have dealt with require the hours be met more importantly than the lines, they have to have staff to cover set hours for client needs.  If your lucky enough to type 250 lph, apply for part-time, then you'll only have that 6 hour day you are looking for and not be obligated to type longer, then if you don't meet the line requirement in that time, you'll still have room to type longer without costing the company OT if you need to type another half hour or hour longer than expected to get there.  These companies have to be very careful to keep track of the hours because they are required to pay OT for anything over 40 hours, and they have a minimum line count so they know the have people that can get the work done instead of people that aren't disciplined to type from home.  All of this is just what I have seen in my 12 years as an MT, may be different for other MTs. 


Partially due to HR laws...sm
I think it's a combination of needing the bodies like someone else said, but there's also a TON of hoops to go through in order to terminate employment on a quality basis.
Also, with the new HIPPA laws, NO
hospitals tell people any info, who call off the streets asking about accounts, who they dumped for transcription, who they use now, etc. If its public info, the contracts can be researched. Otherwise, I know for a fact that they don't just go blabbing private info to busy-body MTs calling for poop. It doesn't work that way! Also, for your info, most hospitals have multiple services doing their transcription at any given time, including inhouse MTs. In fact, rarely would a large facility use one service, so your info is meaningless!
US labor laws
Maybe this company is claiming ignorance of US labor laws b/c they are based far, far away. I have no idea, really. It's a lame excuse if that's their thinking. Something's very wrong at this company!
IC labor laws

HAPPY THANSGIVING...  Could somebody point me in the direction I am needing to get the independent contractor labor laws.  And can an employer tell you that you can submit your work in an e-mail if you cannot get into your system.  Doesn't that break confidentialty laws?  Anyway I am needing to know how IC work, works.  Can I set my own hours?  If I am too sick to work for a day and I tell my employer can they charge me a penalty fee?


I would appreciate any help I can get.


Labor laws
That is because a lot of MTSOs abuse the IC status. They treat the MTs like employees instead of ICs. Many years ago I worked for a service that fired someone. That person went to the Labor Board and the service had to pay back employee taxes on everyone. We all had to get a second account to satisfy the State that we were ICs and not just working for one company, which they considered a employee situation.
Laws and checks
A person who knowing gives you a worthless check has broken the law. In most places $400 and over is a felony. I think some have laws that state $500. Another law was broken when they put a stamp on it and mailed it to you. I would put it through twice (required by most sheriff's departments) and then turn it over to the sheriff's department. If they tell you to do this in the state/city where the check was written, do so. They will cease ripping people off or they will lose a lot more than transcriptionists. I speak from experience.
Labor laws
Why was your last thread locked?
to break labor laws?
x
There are no laws governing vacation/sm

time.  Why would you assume this is not legal?  I don't work there, but it seems to me that this would be explained as part of the employment process and if the MT doesn't like that, then they wouldn't accept the job, right?


 


It's a big deal because laws are being violated SM

and they are playing games (all of the companies).  They think they can have their cake and eat it too.  You either want an employee or an IC.  If you have ICs, then you cannot tell them when to work, how to do the work or provide any of their equipment.  If you are doing any of those things, then you have turned your IC into an employee - then you must follow labor laws, which include pay for overtime.


I'm glad these companies are getting sued.  The only thing they understand is when it hurts their wallets.  If that's what it takes to get them to operate within the law, then that's fine by me.


Check the laws in your state. SM

In my state, the number one reason to qualify for unemployment is lack of work, even if you are still employed (a lot of circumstances to consider here).  The company can threaten you all they want about production but if they are not providing the work, that is their fault.  If they let you go, you DO qualify IN ANY STATE if it is for lack of work.  The unemployment here has a 1 week waiting period, but apply for it ASAP.  It is only going to be about 50% of your regular income though.  This is determined by the highest amount of quarterly pay you received in the last 5 quarters. If there is any unemployment office near you, they can answer your questions.  You can even apply online there with a counselor available to help you if you have any problems. 


link to DOL - Labor Laws

It is against the law to be fired for turning your company in. If you have a complaint file it. Also, it is the responsibility of the company to keep a log of all hours worked for each employee. The way we are treated needs to come to an end! I cannot take it anymore and am getting out of the MT world after 10 years of working from home. I signed up for some classes at my local college and am actively job hunting. For everything that we have to know to be good at this job we are way underpaid. Ten years ago, I was making more as a newbie than I am now. I may have to start out at the bottom with a new profession, but at least I know I will work my way up...instead of working my way down as an MT. I hope a lot of people read the posts I have put on here and take action. It is scary to go out there after 10 years of being at home, and after all the abuse we have endured our confidence is down, but we are all smart, hard working women and we deserve better.

http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/index.htm
Check the Laws and lost suits
Anything you post on a public chatboard or in a chatroom can be used against you by your employer as reason for termination if they so desire, and you will lose in court if you try to sue them. Plenty of these suits lost since the Internet started.

I worked for a bad legal transcription firm for 3 wks - fired after I posted on a legal chatboard (along with tons of others) - within hrs of posting some stuff. Definitely was why - no doubt. I then began researching whether this is legal - and by god it is. I used an anon name and no email. This co later had all neg posts regarding his co removed from the site.

As to this chatboard - the co I just left had many, many posts removed because they did not like their content.

Fortunately most cos recognize the need of folks to vent and don't want to be bothered. But some of these smaller cos really monitor posts, and mgmt posts as if they were MTs in response to neg posts or just to toot their own horn.
My company doesn't evade tax laws. They don't have
state tax.    I didn't have a question and my DH and I have a very solid marriage and aren't going to split.  You  sound bitter. 
Child labor laws haven little or nothing to do with it. sm
If children aren't developing a decent work ethic, or expect things handed to them, that's something they're learning at home (or, rather, /not/ learning at home). I'd look first to the parents before I'd start blaming outside influences.
If state insurance laws mandate it
they will, or they will not be allowed to sell policies in that state.  I believe Illinois requires coverage for IVF.
Don't be so quick to assume that a company of that size does not know the laws. sm
It can come back to bite you later on; fraud has no statute of limitations.

You need to look at the facts: Companies pay unemployment insurance in every state they have employees in. They pay whether there are claims or not. The money paid to you was money paid into a general fund, so you really didn't do anything to the company themselves. It's not like companies write a check to the unemployment division; the money comes from money paid in out of taxes. Shame on you for taking money for free when you were an IC. It is illegal, it is unethical and your name should be assact, not classact, based on the obvious ignorance you have in most areas.

By the way, most MT jobs are employee status, not IC. If you were applying for jobs every week online and offline for six months and could not get a job, the answer is simple: You need a new career because you suck.
I sent HR the fair labor laws info and asked if it was
for real and had a few interesting phone calls after that.  Later heard somebody didn't make lines, got fired, appealed and proved we had no work, and UE told Precyse they have to pay.  So pick a story..... It's like anything else, believe what you want. 
LABOR BOARD / MINIMUM WAGE LAWS

Regardless of all the bull dished out by the MTSO companies, especially as it pertains to VR, i.e., We're cutting your pay 50%, so you'll have to work twice as hard - but you're going to LOVE the platform.  Also get tired of hearing about Learning Curve and wonder if my grocer, landlord & hungry kids understand this learning curve concept. 


However (and the MTSOs can like this or lump it) WE MUST BE PAID FEDERALLY-MANDATED MINIMUM WAGE for workers with employee status - whether straight typing, VR or being required to babysit computer during no/low work.  Of course, it's exploitation to cut wages in half from an already insultingly low rate & most MTs are surely feeling the pinch.  But whether 2, 3, 4 or 10 cpl ... minimum wage must be paid.  (Sorry Suits/MTSOs - the law is there for a reason!)


Every state has different labor laws. Each hospital has different needs. Good luck!
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I live in Idaho.. and our laws are that you can only be fired and NOT receive unemployment ..
if you were fired for gross misconduct and boy is that a loose term. I worked for an office that fired two transcriptionists, each were absolutely horrible and used wrong terminology etc.. yet they were able to get unemployment because although they were obviously not competent for the job, they do not consider that gross misconduct. Strange laws here.. Just means you can stink at your job, get fired, and still get paid.. We believe one of the transcriptionists intentionally screwed up so bad that she would be fired and could collect unemployement.
Minimum wage laws are for employees only, not independent contractors
Would you pay your plumber or pool cleaner (examples of other IC jobs) more because the minimum wage increased?
I agree and laws should be changed on this. For now, allowing this info is a fact of life
nm
Our work is considered piecemeal and not subject to minimum wage laws. Just what I've been told
MT
I totally agree. I try to keep myself accountable
mainly so I won't have to look back and wonder if I contributed to the trend! I tend to be somewhat erratic with focus problems (I suspect I'm a little ADD!)and over the years have developed my personal quota to keep myself accountable with the hourly rate.
Why not hold the company accountable for their apparent lack
of cash flow. If they can't pay, then they should tell their MTs and give them a chance to bail
Never. They do not and have never held a check. nm
nm
Nobody held your hands to the keyboard
  Go away!!
My line count is being held

Can anyone else relate to having their line count held until your supervisor feels you have helped out enough.  I always meet my line count and track my line count daily.  My line count is always significantly lower than my supervisors count every pay.  Everyday I go all out and really hustle to meet my line count. I type 10 minute reports and only get credit for about 50 lines. So, I hustle and hustle to make my count.  I am almost 1000 lines behind my supervisors count and I am tired.  I simply want to meet my line count and stop working, but I cannot get an accurate count until I have help the team produce more and more lines.  I am fed up. HELP!!! 


I'm not the one needing my hand held, now am I?
NM
I've never had my check held..
I realize there are some companies that have this practice, which is basically getting you in their pay period schedule, but I have never had this happen. I discuss this up front and all my checks have been mailed or DD within 2-3 days of end of pay period. You need to look at your contract.....it should be spelled out.
Dont know about the system you use but we all are held to a
98% or above accuracy, so I don’t think it is about whether you care about accuracy or not, I want my work to be as good as humanly possible. The particular hospital I do have done now for over 15 years, some doctors are quite familiar and then again yesterday was a nightmare with all the ESL physicians I had to put up with. I NEVER ever retype a complete sentence. Our formatting has been off lately as far as numbers, 4, 4, 4 and then a 2, 3 and so forth and yes it takes time for me to correct each and every one. Some people never like VR. When outsourced we had some to try and then gave up but I personally like it because it changes mistakes now that I do not have in my autocorrect, just seems to know. The #1 thing I think I like the most is I never thought it would be able to pick up on ESLs and thank goodness, it does them about as good if not better than our English doctors. With all the ESLs all around us now, I am thankful I do not have to hunt and look for every little word they say I cannot understand.
I've held my tongue about OSI and offshoring
I interviewed with OSi more than 2 years ago. One of my standard questions in an interview is whether or not the company offshores. The recruiter told me up front that the company did offshore on certain accounts that demanded it be done to save money. I accepted that and didn't have a problem with it. That was not the deal breaker for me (I got a better deal from another company on the same day).

I had just left working as the MT coordinator at a small MTSO. While working in-house, I had opportunity to work alongside the marketer. There were several times when he would return from a potential client's office with the news that he could only get the account if he offshored it by client demand. If he took that account by offshoring it, he could get a bigger account associated with it that did not want the offshoring component or rate. From a business prospective, he gave up something small to get something bigger. The offshore component of the business amounted to less than 10% of the client base.

The OSI recruiter was open and honest with me. In my mind, that holds more weight than a recruiter that lies through the teeth just to get you through the door and you end up leaving because they can't deliver on the promises.

Climbing off my soap box now.
Spheris is a privately held company, there are no shareholders
I suspect this report is bogus.

Their latest press release says they are planning on increasing their domestic work force at the same time as their overseas one, to match their aggressive pursuit of new accounts. (Personally I think they ought to concentrate on servicing the ones they have.)
Couldn't Amphion be held liable for minimum wage
I'm just sayin'
Must be another country, I have not
heard of anything at all like this and I try to catch all news, not just local.
What area of the country are you in?
//
Wrong Country
They are outsoucing to Trinidad and Guyana, with others coming very quickly.
moving to the country
I'm moving to the country and will not have broadband or DSL available for who knows how long.  I have not been in this situation before and would like to know if any of you know of any companies that do not require either of these - I will have access to dial-up and possibly some sort of high-speed that is brought in by a radio receiver on the top of my house.  It's a good move - just maybe not a good move for an MT - any help with companies that do not require high-speed with cable or dsl would be appreciated.