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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Been at this 8yrs as an IC - no raise in sight, ever

Posted By: -nm on 2008-10-06
In Reply to: Is no raise after 7 years acceptable? - EB

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This has not always been the case, hence it hurts more. Merit raise/cost of living raise
dd
The raise you're describing is a merit-raise, - (SM)
and I agree that a worker has to go above and beyond in order to get them. But what doesn't seem to happen in this industry is COST-OF-LIVING raises, which should automatically come to workers either in small increments yearly, or in larger increments every 2-3 years. Without wages that are at least somewhat *realistic* (and modern-day MT wages are a pathetic joke), it's no wonder quality workers are harder and harder to come by, and much harder to retain. An MT should not have to work sweatshop hours for 7 days a week just to keep their head above water financially.
No end in sight for outsourcing
I believe some of the accounts will come back state side, but the outsource offshoring will continue - no end in sight. To look at the bigger picture, our healthcare system is in a mess with no solutions actively being worked on. As monies become tighter in the future and if nothing is being done about fixing our healthcare mess, the motivation is strong for financial officers to send more work offshore because of the cheap labor. Some hospitals now accept offshoring as a solution and when the hospitals themselves directly use this service, well, not much hope to keep the work state side. I believe there are some facilities that will not accept inferior work from any one, state side or otherwise, but I am also seeing that some hospitals WILL accept inferior work motivated by the cheap price. This is happening across all sectors of business in this country. More than 50% of IT jobs are now in India and China with no end in sight. More and more business are trying to find ways to dump their benefits - #1 is health insurance and this affects all of us as more and more people are going without health insurance.
Keep the bills out of sight--sm
For me they are the biggest distraction. I can ignore the phone, tune out the noise but those stinking bills in my line of sight are the worst. I either have to go online and pay them or call so and so and tell them why I am late. I don't pull them out until after I am done or before I start. Otherwise, they stay in the drawer. Now, I keep the paid receipts on top of the desk to remind me why I work like a mule!
Love at first sight?
Hey - I know this is the wrong board for this but if anyone would switch over to emotion/depression and/or chit chat I'd like your opinion. Thanks
OMG. I'm never letting my legs out of my sight again. LOL.
nm
Ya'll want to see a sight? Get a look at this poor

guy! OMG!


 


 


I don't think I am in a light of sight for cell towers either. sm
They pick up signals within distances like cell phones do. I don't think a direct line of site is needed period like it is with satellite. With satellite, you have the big dish that is placed on your house and it beams the satellites in space to get your signals. With wireless it gets signals from the towers. You have nothing but you wireless network card or USB plug that picks up the signal from the tower. No big, ugly dish around on my home.

If you can only occasionally get a cell signal, it might not be the best option for you. Do you know anyone around that has wireless? My brother had it and came to my home with his laptop to show me how it worked and that is when I choose to get it. I like that I can now also travel and pick up signals rather than be limited to one location with the satellite on my home also. No need to worry if a hotel has wireless or not as I have it. I would figure out who the best cell phone company provider is in your area and contact them. Tell them specifically your location, your situation with iffy cell signals and see what they suggest. Like I said mine had the 30-day money back guarantee so I knew I could go that route if I saw it wasn't getting good signals for me. All the major cell companies have wireless now, but your best bet is who has the most towers in your area. I am thinking there is a website that shows cell towers and locations, maybe research it? Cannot recall right now, but I have seen it before. Just contact the company in your area and tell them to explain their wireless INTERNET plans to you.
Hell, I didn't let my kids out of my sight in the 1980s!
Freaks and loonies didn't just crawl out of the woodwork recently.
Love at first sight on the Long Island RailRoad
On the Long Island Railroad, traveling to Greenwich Village for the day and he traveling to a concert in Queens, NY.  The instant I looked at his face and he talked to me and sat across from me on the train, I knew we would make history together, I knew something was gonna happen between us.  He got off the train, I continued on to Greenwich Village, NYC..didnt get his number, nor he mine.  Four months later I was driving into my apartment parking lot and he was driving behind me, said he recognized me from my sunglasses as I looked in the rear view mirror.  He asked for my phone number and the rest is history..It was truly love at first sight..
it's TASTE. You have lost sight of the original concept of the posts.
i'm not doing an ethical evaluation on why i am drawn to toby keith or if he may be gay or rock hudson's qualities if he was gay or jude law.  it is just the type of guy women are drawn to and why.  shallow has nothing to do with the discussion.  but you aren't paying attention are you?
It's called DLS for direct-line-of-sight...mountains could be a problem...sm
I have wireless but hold a direct line of sight to tower only 1 mile away. Mountains could block signal. The only way you could know would be to take the laptop there and see if the signal holds. Are there any neighbors there that might be using it too? That's your best "test." Ignore poster below who talks about router. The initial signal is sent from the tower TO your router, router takes care of wireless internet INSIDE house, not outside. If you do go wireless router inside house, buy one with a speed booster. I have connects of 100.0 mbps routinely.
MQ raise
My last raise was in 1998.  When I asked for one last year, I got one quarter of a cent.  Then three quarters of a cent were taken away from me when I started DocQscribe, as I was told I was gonna make so much more money with DQS.
raise
May want to follow up with a phone call, sometimes if they get a lot of email it is easy to overlook them. That's what I do if they don't get back to me as soon as I think they should, anyway :)
getting a raise
How does one go about getting a raise as an independent contractor? I am not even in the same state. Shoud I e-mail or phone and how long should I wait before asking? In the past, I could always ask a co-worker, but my kids are my co-workers now. Does anyone know the correct protocol?
anyone with DSG ever get a raise?
d
Raise
I've been with MQ for a good while and I'm happy (just because my office is awesome), but I'm an intrigued with their production comparisons (ASR vs non-ASR) and interpreting polls (after the first one I sent that they "interpreted," I never sent another).

My theory on raises: Since the ASR rate will be reduced, you already have a "built-in" raise by not doing ASR. This is not to say they won't give raises eventually, but if you ask for one because you are doing the scum, they will say, "Well, the ones who do ASR don't get paid as much."

My advice to you would be to do ASR. Or get a different job because with MQ, this is the future. At least if you can master it and as the ASR improves (you'll get faster), you won't have a continuous diet of bottom-feeder material. That would absolutely drive me crazy. They probably eventually will eliminate all non-ASR'ers anyhow once the system is more refined.

Just total speculation on my part.
raise?
I hope whatever they gave you in the form of a raise compensates for what you have to go through, day in, day out, without any reprieve, and without even a good doc thrown in for good measure.  Does it?  Was it at least a buck an hour, and preferably two bucks?  Or was it two bits?  Keep your eyes open, MQGuy.  It won't be long before you are OUTTA THERE!   (Will the 0.050 cents per line, or whatever paltry sum it was, pay for your psychologist to keep you as sane as you are now?) I wish you luck, and I mean it sincerely.  They got you hook, line and sinker.
Do ICs ever get a raise? -sm
I work as an IC for a great company.  I have been with them almost 2 years now.  I  would like a pay raise.  As an IC, do I ask for it?  If so, how is this approached?  I have worked as an IC for almost 10 years for various companies.  Some give you a raise, most do not.  I would stay with this company either way.  TIA
Have been there over 4 yrs and no raise other than
across the board raises that everyone gets, latest being $0.002/line.  (No that wasn't a typo, it was actually a very insulting .002cpl).  Was told upon hire there would be merit raises.  Asked about one after a year of exemplary service with 100% QA and was pretty much laughed at.
pay raise
I was wondering when it is appropriate to ask for a raise?  I was thinking around my first year anniversary.  Also, how much is usually given? Do they up .5 cpl or 1 CPL? Just curious. 
MQ raise?
and how might I ask did you accomplishment the acievement of 2 raises in the past 3 months for MQ?
Wow, I need to ask for a raise! I am 1:2
5 min of dication takes me 10 min to transcribe.  If I have to re-listen to something, or look up, it may take 11 minutes. 
to ask for a raise?

To make a long story short, I've had this account for 4 years, and am on a salary.  At first I didn't think I would make any money since it was a salaried accout, but as it turns out, some days there is much to do and other days there is not as much, so it rather evens itself out, but then there are days when I'm working from daylight until dawn, but those days are rare.  Four years ago this was great money.  However, the COST OF LIVING has gone up exponentially!    I love this account, but it's my sole income; I have no other accounts.  Thus far I've been able to make it on this account and prefer to not take on anymore work because, as I previously mentioned, some days there is more work than I want, but it has to be done.  It would just make life much more difficult to take on more work for the days that they slam me, which outweigh the light days.  My problem is this:  I really want to ask for a raise, but afraid to rock the boat.  I realize all they can do is say no, but then, once I've mentioned wanting a raise it might plant the seed that I might be moving on if they don't give me a raise, which I have no intention of doing, but how do I tell them that?   I can't just say when asking for a raise: "Can I have a raise?"  (them) No, you cannot.  Me:  Okay, just thought I'd ask.  I am at a loss as to what to do about this situation.  Any advice would be so much appreciated from anyone with experience in such a predicament as this.  Thank you very much.


to ask for a raise?
I own the account personally. It is not through an MTSO.

Wow, sounds like you've gotten the really short end of the stick, and I feel so bad for you. I hope you'll get what sounds like a well-deserved raise, or be able to find another company who will appreciate you for what you really do. Good luck to YOU.
Are you asking for a raise or trying to get an
s
What's a raise?
I'll take the one dictator. I haven't gotten a raise the entire time I've been at the company I work at right now (several years) and I never know what will land in my workpool. One dictator by choice? I'd give my pinkie finger for an account like that and gladly look up everything! What a fool.

we will never get a raise
they will just crack the whip harder...work faster, longer, all day long, all night long so you can make more money more money more money. it is a vicious (brain freeze, is that how you spell it)?
Asking for a raise sm
Speaking from experience, this is not time to rock the boat, so to speak. With the economy the way it is, perhaps they will pretend to go along with you and start searching elsewhere. Been there, done it, think it over very carefully!!! Everyone is replaceable, I found that out the hard way after 20 years of faithful service, and they told me I was the best in the state! Be very, very careful unless you think someone else will pick you up right away. Under-bid by 1/4 of a CPL!
can an IC ask for a raise? nm
nm
No, no raise here, either.
I still make the same rate with my local doctors that I did when I started in 2000. With the company I am an IC, I actually make 4 cents a line less, but the work is abundant so I am still thrilled.

It sounds like you are lucky to still have a job where you are. I wouldn't push it. If you are not happy, start looking for other doctors. If you are content where you are, don't rock the boat.

As ICs, no, we never get raises. If I need more money coming in, I raise my production 100 or 200 lines extra a day, improve my shortcuts, push my speed to the limit. There's always room for improvement. If there is not work sufficient enough for you to do more, then take on another local doctor, if you can.

I try to keep myself thinking of the blessings that come with my job, what it allows me to do for and with my family. This is not a profession where we can dwell on what we are not getting, cause we'd all quit, even the employee status MTs.
Ask for the raise

You should ask for a raise...if you have been working there for two years with no raise, no bonuses, and of course, I'm sure you don't get any insurance or anything like that, you definitely deserve a raise...don't short change yourself, you can bet the office raises their office visits, procedures, etc. when things get tough on their end...you deserve a raise, and besides, if you don't ask, you will never know...the worst that could happen is they say no....but at least you asked.  I recently asked for a raise, and got it...I work from home as an IC and type for a local doc...I pick up tapes and deliver the transcription, etc., but I got the raise.  Even if I worked in the office, I would have asked for a raise.


We as MTs need to get the idea out of our head that we don't deserve a raise...if you're doing a good job, have experience, and do the work that they expect from you...ask for that raise! 


no raise??
Cost of living???  Who gets a cost of living raise as an MT?  I want that job!!!  I have done this for 35 years and no cost of living raise for me.  Raises when I was working in a hospital and was a supervisor in the early 1980s and still transcribing and only got raise because my line count increased within a certain period of time.  And believe me I was making much more THEN than I can possibly get now, due to no work, and the amount we get paid per line is going down and we still have to work more hours to get that.  But I still hang in there.  What is to do at 56??
A raise!?!
Heck, I've been taking regular pay CUTS for the last 10 years! They laugh in your face when you ask for/expect a raise.


pay raise - not
Not only are we NOT getting well-deserved raises, but per-line wages are being cut!
You definitely need a raise....sm
I was a Transcriptionist for about 7 months when I got my first raise. I started out at .065 cpl almost 2 years ago. Then 7 months into it I got .075 cpl without even asking. Then when I had been an MT for 1-1/2 years I asked for another raise and got 8 cpl. I am supposed to get another one in June I believe to .085 cpl. I have a very nice boss.

I would ask for a raise and if they wouldn't give one I would look elsewhere for work.
When was your last raise?

Do you get bonuses?  Look, I work weekends, and also don't work when I don't feel like it and I still make a decent wage.  As an IC, I can pick and choose and who is to say that just because someone doesn't work weekends they aren't going to make any money. 


The only thing open on weekends are facilities and hospitals; no clinics.  There is a skeleton crew.  You are working nights because India has taken the days.  So, please come down to Earth a little here.  We've all done our time especially the oldies when life wasn't so easy for an MT. 


We need to work together and not belittle each other for someone who would like to have weekends off, etc.  Some like it hot and some like it cold.  There's no real difference there.  Some like working weekends, and some like working during the week.  There's no harm done, really.  It's all the same.


Thanks to the 2 responders regarding DSG and getting a raise
d
no raise in 3 years
same here -- have you asked for one -- i did and was told that I was sending over 20% to QA - imagine that with the docs that we get -- there is no way to win at MQ and if there is would someone please let me in on the secret!!
Actually I did get a recent raise...
so I'm sure not complaining about that, and fully expect to be given the harder docs, but how are the former cherrypickers supposed to finally learn how to do 'em if all the Foul Ones are sent to us old-timers? I presume they must be getting SOME of them, hence the bad TAT suddenly - but my raise seems to be dwindling as I am assaulted by a steady stream of "mushmouths" all day! Not 2 mention getting hateful after so many in a row without an occasional "good doc"....oh well - back to the foulness!
Rate raise

I am going to do mine.  Have not done so for the past 3 - 4 years and so going to try to do 1 cent raise per mine.  Hopefully they won't complain too much but I still pick up and deliver and so it hits me hard as my paper has also gone up.  So we will see.   Usually when I do this they back off a little and don't dictate so much for a month or so but then it goes back to normal.   Let me know what you are doing.  I am in Oregon.  Been doing this for 16 years and I think I started out at 8 and now at 11 to 12. 


Patti


Not really. Why don't you ask for a raise at your current
employer if you're happy there? How long have you been there?
Has anyone ever asked for a raise at OSi? (sm)
I have worked there for almost 3 years and am wondering if I have a shot at actually getting a raise? Thanks for any input anyone has!
raise up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he
I figure I taught him what I know and believe. He has to make the decisions from there, and if what I taught him was strong enough, and believable enough, he will do OK. May make mistakes, but he'll do OK.
Mequist pay raise
I have been working for Medquist 10 years this June. Never got turned down for a raise when I asked for one, got at least 7 or 8 raises in 10 years - lost count but know I never let much more than a year go by without asking. However, only give 3% of base rate, no more.
I got a raise last week too!
Also, for the same reasons.  I actually covered for someone who suddenly got ill.  Hence, a raise!  Nice work.  It can happen.
Two years without a raise

I have worked for this doctor for five years and have not received a pay increase for the past two years. His patient load has increased very much in the past few months. Is it OK to to type a letter requesting a pay increase? It is very difficult to get a hold of this doctor???


tHANKS     


Everyone is so afraid to ask for a raise.
I guarantee you that the people you work for have gotten a raise in the last 4 years, so why not you? Just do it. Like you said, all they can say is no, or give some BS excuse. But just look at the enormous increase in gasoline over the past 4 years, never mind everything else. No one can continue on the same salary.
Those afraid to ask for a raise are their own
This is one of the major reasons why women are paid at least 20% less than men doing the same job. Women are intimidated to just go in and say, "Hey boss, I need a raise."

Many years ago, I was working as a cashier. Certainly not a great job, but for low level work, it didn't really pay that bad. I had been there 5 years, had received my usual raises and a merit raise. However, I still felt my level of flexibility by being able to take over in a lot of other departments at a moment's notice made me a valuable employee. I went into my supervisor, told them what I thought my value was to the company and asked for a dollar an hour raise. He gave it so quick, I probably could have gotten more.
RATE RAISE
Since you are working for him as an IC and have informed him of the rate increase, just bill him for it.  That is what I do.  If they didn't accept it they probably would have spoken to you by now.  Smile! 
Yearly raise? What's that?
I've been waiting for 3 years for a raise I was supposed to get after 6 months.