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Yes, I think you're right about expecting downhill with them.

Posted By: LMO on 2007-12-19
In Reply to: Didn't they partner up with an Indian company? Expect downhill from Dictaphone. - nm

I've been attempting QA with them and not only is the software slow with numerous problems for QA, but the reports I'm getting to QA basically need to be redone. I find it hard to believe that an MT actually typed some of the sloppy, full of error reports I've seen, and 4 cpl is not enough money to sit around redoing every report. I'm afraid I'm finished with this place.


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Glad you're happy, that place has gone WAY DOWNHILL.
x
They have gone WAY downhill...I quit
I just left SPI a few weeks ago after a year. When I first started back in February 0f '06, it was still Cymed and was a decent place to work. Then, a couple of months after the SPI buyout, my account manager quit, a lot of MTs who had been there for a while quit, and I got a new manager who just doesn't care and does not know what she is doing. She put us all in these awful work pools, making it nearly impossible to get a decent line count without working about 14 hours a day. I started getting nothing but heavy ESLs and lost a lot of money. They even screwed up my last pay check. Also, they demanded a lot of overtime, and would not pay us any extra for it. I quit right away and went to another company and am SO MUCH HAPPIER! I make much more money now and I am actually able to enjoy my days off and not have to worry about working!
You know what flows downhill?
The supervisors (for the most part) were just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I believe their hands were tied at SPI. But, starting from the top layers on down to the supervisors, everything was in such chaos, with no answers being given, no timely decisions made, no pre-planning, no standardization that, to quote Yeats (I think - correct me if I'm wrong) *Things fall apart, the center does not hold*, and no truer description of SPI/Cymed.
Downhill trend
Not that many years ago, only ITs had to supply their own equipment.

It's sad that the large companies expect MTs to foot the bill for all the equipment, especially with the trend of giving MTs less and less of the profit pie.

I mean, when was the last time an MT got a cost of living increase? Or profit sharing payouts? Or any of the other perks of being part of a successful, profitable business?

A carpenter that is self-employed SHOULD pay for his own stuff. An MT who is an EMPLOYEE should not. Simple logic.

Do you think physicians have to buy their own MRI machines? Do you think police officers have to buy their own squad cars?

The transcription profession feels like a sinking ship. I pity people who are only now getting started. The hey day of this profession is long gone. (Sniff. Sigh.)
Downhill, I agree
Nono No, the suck it up reply was not normal. Her behavior was so needlessly cruel and aggressive that I can only assume she is not a prima prime example of mental health. She might consider counseling by a professional.
Last 5 years downhill decline
is what I have seen in the MTSO/working from home environment. I had an easier time finding a job (5 years ago or so) with half the experience that I have now. It is my opinion that a lot of this is happening because of the MTs coming on in this timeframe. Their education is not of the same quality for the most part. I cannot imagine learning this at home and being good at it. I had a hard school and it was still very hard when I had my first on-site job. As far as the overseas thing, call me hopeful but I'm hoping within time, it will decrease. Here's why: In my own experience, a US company is happy to pay me say 5 cpl to edit reports typed 100% overseas by say India. Now the quality of these reports is AWFUL when they get to me. The process to get them to me is this: They get typed by an overseas MT. Then they get edited by overseas QA. Then they would come to me for 100% editing (mandatory on every report). Imagine the delay of time this causes and how can they make a profit paying me 5 cpl to edit when its already went through at least 2 other people? Wouldn't it be cheaper, faster, less of a risk as far as quality and as far as privacy (as they don't have to abide by our HIPPA laws) to just pay a good US MT say 8 cpl to type it to begin with? Give it some time. We are all pioneers in this work-from-home career. No one has done it before. We are all learning as we go and our companies will learn as well. Eventually the cost of shipping vital information overseas with no regard for privacy laws will become more of a financial risk than it is worth. If my health records with my private info went overseas and my identity was stolen because of it, you can sure bet I'd be suing the MT company who sent it there. It sucks right now but here's hoping the good US MTs and QA will keep their heads held high and have a positive outlook for the future. :)
Absolutely not, things just keep going downhill. NM
NM
Same here. I too was expecting (sm)
the 12 foot binder full of paperwork.  It really is simplified and also allows you to have many secondaries that you can jump into with ease if need be.  When you happen to be in that specific client's report, you just hit a hot key combination and up will come the information for that account - all the formatting, in many times a sample of that particular dictator, etc.  It really does remove a lot of the clutter.  I think you'll find it to be a welcome change.
Am I expecting too much or am I

This MT has lots of years of experience and has sent out resumes the past couple of weeks in answer to jobs posted here and elsewhere.  I am an SE and looking to supplement my income.  In the past whenever I would send a resume, I would get at least an automatic reply: We have received your resume, and will be reviewing it shortly, or something like that.  Now, I get no response whatsoever.  There could be the sounds of crickets in the background. 


Could there be something with my e mail? My resume has always done well for me, and even with my added 1 job in the last year.  And it isn't like I am applying to jobs which are not looking for people. I apply to the types of positions they seek, and I have lots of experience.


Finally, my question to you is this.  I have been offered a job with an American company but they do offshore.  I initially said that when I found out they off-shored I had to decline, personal policy of working for USA only.  If I get no responses to my resumes now, should I go to the other job which off-shores in spite of my feelings on the subject?  Would feeding a family and having money for the holidays be more important than my stance on offshoring versus all USA?


Thanks in advance for your replies to the above.  This MT is really kind of confused, I realize there is a recession, but seems like employers are acting kind of strange... maybe it is me!


 


I did not get anything and was no EXPECTING anything (sm)
and that is okay with me. People should not EXPECT gifts. Although my boss did send us a letter stating how grateful she was and it was very sincere. I work for a wonderful company and they are great people.
That's what I'm expecting. nm
x
Be about like expecting them
to vote in term limits.  Anybody see that happening? 
Don't have mine yet either...agree with above post about company going downhill..sm
A constant lack of work since November.  One day we are working and then the next day we are told to sign off because of no work and to not sign in until they tell us. In total since November I have missed 17 days due to no work.  That is a lot of money for me.  Hard to get another job because I need my insurance.
Good riddance! They have gone way downhill in the last few years and do an awful job.
Thats why we fired them.
Ms. Manners would say expecting to be thanked for
offputting and not the norm in society. If someone gives you a compliment, you say, thank you, and smile graciously. If you expect the person who gave you the compliment to thank you for saying thank you...you might was well climb on a merry-go-round because the two of you will be doing nothing the rest of the day but thanking each you.

Thank you! No, thank you! No, don't thank me, thank you! No, no, don't thank me, thank you!...

get the picture?
not expecting them to do it, just want to hear the response! lol
Realize not all of these questions are going to have a response I'd like to have, but I do what to know what the alternative answers are. :-)
Didn't they partner up with an Indian company? Expect downhill from Dictaphone.
nm
Wow, expecting a gift. CHILDREN expect gifts. Maybe..
your gift is the fact that you have a job during this current economic crisis. If you get something, fine; if not, are you going to quit? You still have 4 days to wait by your mailbox for your gift, if you should get one.
Wasnt expecting anything but got a nice box of chocolates and a card
I shared my chocolates with neighbors because Lordy, Lord, I do not need to be looking at a nice box of chocolates all day, because I wouldnt be looking at it all day - know what I mean? :}
I didn't say anything about expecting ... I just asked a simple question. sm

I have worked long enough at the company to know their practices so was just surprised, that is all.  It is nice of you to chime in with your veiled criticism, though.  It is no big deal.  I just found out last night that I need new tires for my car, and waiting 1 more day to have that done won't kill me. 


There ARE troublemakers on this board, but I was not stirring up trouble.  I just know that things have slipped through the cracks sometime and was just checking.  The faster I get it solved, the faster I get paid. 


No matter what, I hope you have a good day and everyone treats you better than you treat them.


What is wrong with a good MT knowing what she is worth and expecting to be compensated
:l
Give me one too! Imagine the nerve of them expecting you to work your shift.
LOL
Who is expecting a bonus/card/gift from employer this year or (sm)

 plans to send card/gift/etc.  to their employer? 


I thought a card to my supervisor (if she is still there) from MQ would be appropriate.  Actually that is the only person I have contact with anymore.  For all the years I have worked at MQ, someone, either supervisor/area manager, etc. has sent a card.  Hope it continues.  Miss the personal touch of working in an office sometimes. 


My second job I don't know exactly how many are in the office, but thought sending a group food type gift if shipping alone isn't a killer.  Haven't been with them long, but they are so sweet, I bet they also send out cards and bet they are personally signed and not just printed. 


i proofed a few reports from a filapino and i was shocked at the good quality. wasn't expecting
;
Hope you're enjoying those slave wages you're earning.
.
So you guys feel you're getting paid what you're worth with VR?
I'm not trying to be snarky. I've never done VR, so I'm trying to understand.

You're happy with your paycheck with VR? Do you find the files to be as bad as the original post implied?
So you're telling me, basically, they're bad news?
They offered me 0.095/line and you know - it sounded too good to be true, but I SWEAR the recruiter told me they do not outsource. Oh brother... I just wish they'd be honest. I really don't know what to do.
Not the OP, but they're supposed to take out all the other taxes as you're an employee with th
s
No, they're not losing money....they're gaining!
If a company charges their clients by the line, I'm sure that line rate does not go down even though the MTs pay does.

ASR pays about 2/3 normal line rate to its MTs. Their ultimate goal is to have the MTs do twice as much work. Therefore, the client is getting their work faster, but paying their normal rate, while corporate gets that money and the MTs get the lower line rate.

Whether the newbies want to realize it or not, MTSOs have not increased MTs' salaries in the past 10 years. They still start out at the same pay as the last century!

This used to be a very lucrative profession. Nowadays, most MTs are considered to be paid at the poverty level. You don't believe me, look it up!
Hey, you're in luck then. They're hiring! (nm)
x
If they're in Nebraska, they're www.medigrafix.com nm
m
If you're an IC, you pay all your taxes. Otherwise you're an SE or employee. nm
s
If you're PT you're required to work

8 of your hours in one weekend day.  There's no extra pay for it though. 


The face we're wising up is exactly why they're
xxx
We're not 'so scared' of it. We're trying to help
you to not make a huge mistake, but I guess you're determined to learn the hard way, so good luck with that.
If you're in the 37% tax bracket, you're making over
100K per year. Quit complaining.
You're right on it! They're just trying to cause panic.
...
How can you KNOW what you're doing without THINKING you know what you're doing?
/
If you're not doing your job, then you're not earning anything, therefore
p
they're desperate because they're sm
driving away all their employees with the horrible new changes they're implementing.  It's a mass exodus, and they couldn't keep up with their work load before all the departures. 
We're glad you're gone too.
The more people that quit, the more work left for me. I love it when people say they can't take doing MT anymore.
Well, i hate to tell ya, but if you're an IC, you're
nm
I think they're new. nm
m
now we're getting somewhere....
Great qualities... absolutely. Can you be more specific. What type of communication do you think works? What doesn't? Concern is also important. But how far should it go. Certainly a company needs to be understanding if an MT has some problems, but remembering it is not the company's job to take care of someone, what about when the MT is not producing or working when scheduled? How long do you let it go on? What if the MT has chronic problems. What is the company's role here?

I can say my boss was ALWAYS flexible with my schedule, but I also made sure that I made up the time and the lines. I didn't abuse it.
You're better off
Someone else will appreciate your abilities.
You're welcome; here's what I can tell you ...
Spheris' family insurance is with United Healthcare and the premium for family coverage is about $180 per payperiod (2-weeks).

As far as PTO with Spheris, as a FT employee, you would earn 10 days a year for your first 5 years of service, then it goes up from there.

I hope that gives you a guideline to go by.
If you're looking for
and to be treated well, then you will like TT. They really are the best company I've ever worked, for and I've worked for more than a few. In this business of never meeting who you work for and not knowing what you're getting in to until it's too late, they are a breath of fresh air. They always pay on time, pay what they say they will pay, are very kind and honest. Good luck.
you're right...sm
when I was in school, for MA, not MT, my instructor said the ones taking the MT class were just waisting their time. I worked as an MA until I got pregnant, then worked as an MT after my son was born. I'm gonna ride it out as long as it's available. Then, hopefully I won't be too old to do something else!
Is it possible that you're having another
I may be an old biddy but when I was 17 it wasn't a computer that was sitting in front of me on Friday night, loser.
Oh, if you're asking me -- I don't know. I wish I could
tell you, but I have no idea.

They're far from going under.

They're securing new accounts all the time because they're a good company with a fair, honest owner and a wonderful support staff and QA, etc.


I hear there are one or two bitter ex-employees out there who do nothing but trash the company, and it's totally unwarranted.