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forced to sign could = unemployment benefits

Posted By: SPI next chapter on 2007-09-13
In Reply to:

If you're being coerced into signing such as agreement in your current/ongoing job, you can file for unemployment in some states.  Only if you are asked to sign at the beginning of new employment is it OK and the employer explains that these documents will be an annual part of paperwork updates.  That's why they want us to reapply for the jobs we've had for quite a while--to get around the fact that we are not newbies but need to look on paper as if we are.  However, we haven't been formally dismissed from jobs we have now, in order to reapply to keep same job.  You also have to agree to a criminal background check and give them access to your credit bureau file, which is now for them.  Best of luck to all SPI, ex-SPI, and future SPI MTs.


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i wouldn't sign it, but cross that out and sign
the rest
Anyone else forced to become an employee
I'm an IC for Focus and got a letter this week that we have to become an employee instead of IC by the first of the year due to state regulations - anyone else heard of this? I want to know what these regulations are! I'm waiting to hear their explanation.
This is IF they sold. But if they did, no one forced
x
So, when you are forced to work

on beyondtxt and you are forced to take a pay cut, and when you are sitting there with no work because the Indians are doing it cheaper, are you gonna come on this board and say how great it is?


You know, eventually when the Indians are doing 40% which is the goal for the *forseeable future,* they will probably hire the Indians to also be Team Leads at a lot less pay... Just some food for your happy thoughts.


So, when you are forced to work

on beyondtxt and you are forced to take a pay cut, and when you are sitting there with no work because the Indians are doing it cheaper, are you gonna come on this board and say how great it is?  Obviously the things that others are complaining about, you have zero knowledge of.


You know, eventually when the Indians are doing 40% which is the goal for the *forseeable future,* they will probably hire the Indians to also be Team Leads at a lot less pay... Just some food for your happy thoughts.


 


No one forced MDI to hire us. They shouldn't have
s
If one of mine forced me to choose between the two,
nm
Companies where you aren't forced to do VR
Does anyone have a list?  I can't keep this up anymore since I changed to VR at the insistence of my company.  I have to do straight typing.  Please help.  I can't make my car loan this month.
Yes, they do. So sorry to have made an error and forced you to have (sm)
to take your time to correct those of us who are not perfect.


I think sooner or later MTs will be forced to grow
backbones, because as the pay for MT work edges ever closer to 0 cpl, there comes a point where the MT will leave altogether or turn around and start swinging both fists. For quite a long time now, I've believed that the truth is, MTSO's don't really WANT the more costly American MTs. The sooner they can drive us all out, the sooner they'll have the excuse they've been waiting for in order to be able to just pack up and take it all overseas. Companies who actually want to RETAIN good employees just don't treat them the way MTs are treated.
The MTs can't be forced to work over 40 hours in a week
unless paid OT pay. If the work is not getting done, maybe they need additional help on the account or MTs who can actually do the work in a reasonable time to stay in TAT.
Amen to that. If things don't improve, I'll be forced out, too (nm0
.
DARN STRAIGHT... and as soon as the Indians are forced to work weekends,

then I will.  I used to have plenty of work for my early morning shift and now none.  Why?  NOT BECAUSE THE CLIENT DOES NOT HAVE WORK AT THAT TIME......


BECAUSE THE INDIANS TOOK MY WORK.  They get to work days and have off nights and weekends becuase us PRIMMA DONNAS are here to suck hiney and say *I will do it cause the client needs it*


WAKE UP!!!!!!!  The world is laughing at you. 


P&G forced my sister to stop selling Mary Kay in her spare time...gotta SM!
This was years ago way before P&G even owned Revlon. It's not like my sister wore a white coat and created cosmetic formulas. She was a RECEPTIONIST!!! The Suits at P&G told her to make a choice because they didn't need an employee working for the competition...Give me a break!

BTW, the ONLY reason my sister even sold the MK was so she could get it 1/2 price.

Whatever you do on YOUR time is YOUR business!! (As long as no laws are being broken or ppl getting hurt)IMO
Can IC even get unemployment?
:+
Unemployment

This is very interesting to know.  Maybe it is something to consider when given an option to work as an IC or an employee.  If you don't mind me asking, what state are you from?


Anyone Know Unemployment Law?
What is unemployment situation when US employer is defunct but employees (supposedly) get absorbed by off-shore company?
Unemployment
Ok - not quite sure why this has been such an issue. When I applied for unemployment, it was KS actions that determined that I was unemployed. Just as if I had any other kind of job - had I been laid off or terminated - I would have applied for unemployment - I don't know who wouldn't. So, I'm not quite sure why this has been so blown out of proportion. My counselor is the one who had to deal with KS - and they reported back to me what was going on - not the other way around. I had nothing to do with the determination of whether or not I was entitled to unemployment. That was determined by the laws in my state and I was told that my previous employer did not understand the law - I did not say that to just be saying it. A lot goes into the determination of unemployment and if you meet the criteria - then you begin to receive your benefits. In searching for MT jobs, there are not a tremendous amount of jobs that met the criteria of what I was working with KS. I immediately found work as an IC and received only the difference in the amount I earned and the amount of my benefit. I was never offered anything of employee status, so I just stayed with the IC job. I would ask - if you or your spouse lost your job - would you not apply for unemployment? Until you are in that position, I would ask that you not judge what others do. Perhaps someone out there has learned something from these posts, if nothing more than to file for unemployment if they lose their jobs. Certainly there are people losing jobs everyday - lest the job-seekers boards would not have new job postings everyday. I do not take offense at those who have called this fraud or illegal - I just realize that they are ignorant of the unemployment laws of their state. My next post for companies is what information they can and cannot give legally on previous employees if contacted for a reference. That will open some eyes, I am sure.
Unemployment
How long do you have to be at a place of employment before you can collect unemployment?
unemployment?
They go by last two years, you have to have enough months in a two year period - check your local office online

Unemployment
Most of the time as long as you are laid off or fired for reasons that do not entail stealing or being drunk on the job does not matter how long you were on the job. -- exception might under 30 days but am not sure.  However, what you are paid depends on the last 4 to 5  quarters (which is 12 to 18 months ago) prior to the quarter you are in.  If you get laid off after June 1st, you check is based on the first quarter of 2007 and possible all of 2006. Again like other posters have said, check out your state.  If you were not employed much in the the past year and half, your check will be quite small if anything at all.    Again go on line to your state page and it will direct you to the unemployment page.  You must be employee and not IC. 
You should be able to get unemployment
The unemployment office will contact SPI to verify that you were, in fact, laid off and will ask for the reason why you were let go. You should qualify for unemployment until you find another company. Good luck!
I would take unemployment!
The same thing happened to me 4 years ago.  MQ took my job and I refused to go with them.  I then waited until I found a decent company to work for.  If you are used to working in-house, it might take you a while to find a company that is a good fit for you.  Good Luck!!
SPI and unemployment

Please excuse typos in first note.  Long day, even longer week!


Thanks.


And don't we pay our OWN unemployment? sm
I was under the impression WE pay into it, the company doesn't. Check your pay stub.
Unemployment
I wonder if they offer you another shift if you can get unemployment. I mean not many people can do a third shift. I know I can't - I'd fall asleep!
IC and unemployment
Depends on what state you live in. In Oregon, you are screwed...been there.
did you get unemployment??
x
TT and unemployment...sm
Just wondering if anyone there has filed for unemployment and gotten it?  I have worked every day this pay period and won't make my lines.
unemployment
I don't think we are eligible for unemployment, as we are not employees. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Unemployment
The sad thing is we can't get unemployment and we are not to retirement age yet!  Good luck to you too!  My husband actually suggested I start housecleaning other people's houses for a living - at this rate it may pay better - LOL
No you can't quit a job and get unemployment.xc
x
Unemployment Rights
Hi - sorry about your unfortunate experience with Spheris. I don't know if the unemployment laws for the state in which you reside or the state in which THEY reside would apply. Anyway, here's the Tennessee website for employee/employer rights: http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/esdiv.html. Perhaps this is your chance to start off 2006 with a company that appreciates what you bring to the table, utilizes your talents effectively, and allows you to grow while making a living wage! Best of luck!
Another point is unemployment. Think about it. They are
evading tax laws. Report them to your state. The state will get them eventually. Believe me. I know mine is working on this one company and I believe I will check with them to see if they have done anything yet. When they actually return a late fee to the taxpayer, that means they have finally listened and they did pay all late fees they ever charged me because as an employee, that is not my job to do the taxes. It is the employer's job.

A good company will abide by the tax laws. A company that tells you they do not have to pay your state tax has not done their homework. When they get zammed by your state with late fees, then they will find out.
Unemployment/COBRA

They said we should apply for unemployment asap but how can we do that if we are still working for them until 7/7?


Also, how much is unemployment usually? I've never been on it. I've heard it is about 66% of your usual pay? Is this correct?


Also... can you apply for Medicaid with unemployment? The COBRA rate is at least $540 for myself and my daughter. :(


When do you file for unemployment?

My job has not had any work for 2 weeks now.  If there is no work, can you file unemployment?  Or do I wait until they let me go and then file?


 


Thanks


Yes it is - that's why I do not think she can quality for unemployment.
nm
me too!!!! just got the call :( :( unemployment here I come.
xx
with unemployment like it is - if you got offered TAKE IT
who cares if it's harder or easier. So many out of work. So many trying to get jobs. TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET.
Unemployment compensation
Has anyone been able to collect unemployment due to lack of work? This is towards those who are employees and not ICs.  I was just wondering if we are eligible for something like that.  I've never collected in my life and was just curious if anyone else had. 
I have been drawing unemployment -
I live in Georgia and I was able to draw unemployment due to lack of work.  I had to meet the requirements of having been hired as a full time employee and there not being enough work for full time anymore.  If you are going to apply, keep meticulous records in case they deny you and you have to appeal.  Every week I have to report how much I did make that week and they subtract that from my benefits.Email me if you need to talk more.
I have been drawing unemployment -
I live in Georgia and I was able to draw unemployment due to lack of work.  I had to meet the requirements of having been hired as a full time employee and there not being enough work for full time anymore.  If you are going to apply, keep meticulous records in case they deny you and you have to appeal.  Every week I have to report how much I did make that week and they subtract that from my benefits.Email me if you need to talk more.
UNEMPLOYMENT LINE! THEY PAY MORE THAN 50%, not like VR - nm

15 years ago, I charged .22 per line to big accounts. Now I have been forced down to .13 per line.
This is in part due to offshore companies, in part due to newbies coming in and underbidding to get an account but not being able to service it and then the account expecting everyone else to meet that price. The market is being driven down by many forces, and it is not pretty. I used to pay .14 per line (gross line too) and now pay my subs 0.08. It is not something I wanted to do, but something that was necessary. With only 15 MTs, I feel the squeeze more than some of the big companies out there, but cannot grow and keep up the same standards.

Healthcare in general is not the money-maker it once was, and transcription has taken a hard hit over the years.
Question about unemployment compensation

I work for a national that introduced a new platform several months ago that has had problems virtually daily, ranging from bad sound, jobs not showing up on line count, to long jobs actually being "taken away" from someone and given to someone else after the original person completed most, if not all, of the job.


The newest problem it now has seems to be that you can't access work on this program when work truly does exist.  However, it's impossible to tell if the program isn't working or if there truly isn't any work.  So you never know just what's going on.  Tech support can't fix the problem, and if management cares, they sure don't show it.  In addition to all this, my account has suddenly been overstaffed, so I'm constantly fighting for jobs.  I can't tell if the new person is being played as a favorite, if the program is malfunctioning or if there simply isn't any work.  As a result, I can't earn enough money to pay my bills, and this is through no fault of my own.


If I quit under these circumstances, can I collect unemployment (until I can find another job)?  Does anyone know? 


TIA.


You can only quit a job and collect unemployment under

extenuating circumstances.  I quit a job where the boss was temperamental.  He would cuss, punch holes in the wall, and scream at us.  One of his employees kept making rude and suggestive (more than suggestive) remarks to me, even telling me he was going to rape me.  Another employee actually grabbed my shirt and bra right in front of customers.  When I complained to the boss about the sexual harrassment, he told me I was a big girl and could handle myself.  I quit.  I went to the unemployment division, and they said I could collect unemployment benefits, as well as file a lawsuit against the owner for not stopping his employees' behavior and for a hostile work environment.  I got offered a decent job less than an hour after that, so I didn't bother.  I always think that maybe I should have.... 


Anyway, I doubt you could collect unemployment in your situation.  You need to start job hunting now. 


I fiiled unemployment with MedQuist and got it,
x
filed for partial unemployment

I don't know completely your situation, but a few years ago, I filed for partial unemployment while employed at a service b/c the workload was extremely sparse and did receive it.  When I filed, I also went looking for a new job and found one within a month. 


My suggestion like others is to start looking now for a new job, but if the workload is low, you could possibly get partial unemployment now until a new job is found.  Every state is different, so you would have to check with the unemployment office in your state regarding benefits, insurance, etc.  Good luck in your search!


It's called structural unemployment..
for US losing jobs to offshore. It is not necessarily a bad thing though because it forces Americans to find other jobs and be creative (my husband and I are building a new business) here in the US. When we run out of something here in the US, Americans get going and find something new to do!! It will in the end actually make our economy better. I like to think of it being similar to the post WWII technology revolution when machines replaced people in assemblyline work. Americans recover and our economy will be better off for it. We are a brilliant country and from this, we will also recover. I have about 1 year in MT left and I can't wait to get out and leave the low pay and no respect to the offshore. If they can do and want to for the pennies they get, more power to 'em!!
Unemployment line for me . . . can't pay bills off of air . . . n/m
n
I think California employees pay into their own unemployment - nm
nm