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I think the employer is being unreasonable

Posted By: Another IC opinion on 2007-05-07
In Reply to: They do not want me to subcontract so - Burned Out!

If, as others in this thread have said, you are essentially running your own business, then YOU are the one who should make arrangements for coverage when you are gone. The client doesn't want you to subcontract? Too bad. If that is what you choose to do, and the subcontractors do a good job for them, then they have no right to complain. You should be able to run YOUR business as YOU see fit. If the client doesn't like it, they can hire someone else. That may sound harsh, but it seems to me that you need to take a stand with these people or they are going to walk all over you.


I haven't read every single post in this thread, but I have read the majority of them. It seems to me a lot of people are basically contradicting themselves - first they say you are running your own business, you can't just shut down for vacation, but the fact is, business owners take vacations all the time. They just make arrangements for someone to take care of their business while they are gone. Then they say you have no alternative except to do double or triple work before and after your vacation. If it's YOUR business, then YOU are in control.


I think part of the problem is that a lot of people view working in the medical field as a "calling", not simply a job. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that - but no matter how devoted you are to your job, you still need a break now and then.  A little R&R will help you return to your job with a fresh mind and renewed energy.


It is unfortunate that so many people on this site are giving you such a had time about this. Maybe they need a vacation. 




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No you are not being unreasonable.
Do not let posters rain on your parade.  Yes, it takes a while to build up speed, but who says that has to be overnight?  Career Step sounds like a great program, but there are others.  Don't get discouraged.  No, you won't make a million, but the experience you gain will help you.  Welcome, and best wishes!!!  New MTs are the wave of the future.  You could very land a job doing part-time voice recognition work that guides you, and no you probably won't be a speed demon.  But, please reach for the stars!!  Your child will thank you later in life.  Children do not last forever at home.  You can ask anyone here that has stayed at home to raise their children, and I bet they all tell you it was well worth it!!! 
Not unreasonable expectation
At WebMedX I have a set schedule, but if I want to knock off two hours early, I absolutely can.  However, it's understood that if I'm short any hours because of this, those hours have to be made up at some point during the week.  Flexibility for me, reliability for the employer.
10 cpl is not unreasonable as a subcontractor
I have had several subcontracting positions that pay 10 cpl and now working as subcontractor for 11 cpl. You do not have to accept the first thing they offer. Naturally, they are going to offer you a lower rate. If they offer say 9 cpl, then ask for 10 cpl. If they offer 10 cpl then ask for 11 cpl. It has worked for me. Now as an employee with good benefits, I will accept 9 cpl with an incentive plan.
what sounds unreasonable?
i don't see how it appears they are trying to make it too difficult. ?? If you want the deal take it. Many hospitals are short of space and can use the footage for something else (closet?! maybe). They also realize they are competing with services and losing MTs to them. I don't think there's another motive. Its cost-effective for the hospital and and makes most MTs happy. i worked in-house for years and years, and now, would not ever want to go back!
I don't think 1500 is unreasonable...
There are a lot of variables. If you're willing to work as many hours as necessary to attain 1500 lines per day, then that's feasible within a reasonable amount of time. And once used to the account, of course, you'll do that in fewer and fewer hours.

As far as cpl, I haven't seen many ads for companies willing to pay even 8.5, and that's rare. More likely it would be around 7 to 8.

If you want to get your own accounts, depending on your area, you could probably ask for 9.5 to 10 per line and get it.

Also, you may have to work for a few companies to find the right one.

I left because a hospital was unreasonable and the
I am a quality Transcriptionist and because I am I see no reason to be nit-picked to death when I can find a better job where I'm treated respectfully. I've been an MT for over 25 years. I've done QA, I've been a team lead and am very good at what I do. I was never reprimanded for quality at Diskriter so that was not the problem. The problem was that the hospital picked, picked, picked us to death and nothing we did was ever good enough (I didn't work for the FL hospital they're talking about here, I worked for one in PA).

My friend jumped ship at the same time I did who is the best MT I know with 30+ years of experience and has also been QA elsewhere.

If they're telling you people have left because they're not quality MT's that's a bunch of bunk. We left because we were sick of being picked to pieces while Diskriter's account managers let the hospital management staff walk all over them at our expense.

Simple as that.
TELL EMPLOYER!!
I'm going through the same thing. Twenty years of experience and this career is fast going downhill. Used to make $19 per hour, now can barely make $13 because of MEDQUIST. Even though I do not work for them, they have ruined my paychecks.

As a single mom, I struggled enough as it was. Now, it's absolutely horrible. I work two full-time jobs and have no time for my children (especially my 12yo diabetic son). I hate to change careers, but it looks like I'm going to have to.

I hope to see this all go public someday. I want to see VR and EMR backfire completely!!!! Okay, I don't know if that helped or if will do any good, but I got it off my chest. Thanks and sorry for the rambling. :)
new employer?
do you mind saying who you went to work for? i've been with MQ for a little over 3 years and ready for a change - tired of all of the psychological bullshit that they think we're falling for.
This is also not an employer who has never
not like a company that you never see your employee. I feel that makes it a little easier for some of these companies to do what they do to their employees...Easier when you don't actually have to face someone.
Maybe your next employer.

.


Employer??? An employer

Think about what you are saying.  Yes if the painter decides he's going to have to finish another day, so be it.  I chose the painter didn't I.  I also have the right to tell that painter forget about it and find another painter, and the turn around and call back the same painter who had the better job.  It's all business.  You cannot control an IC.


Did you ever consider that the employer has a right to use that name, not you?
Some names are trademarked and you could be in more than just a little bit of trouble if a company found something like this and wanted to make an example of the person who did something like that.

Business names are registered to the person/people who use them for their business. They have the right to ask that it not be used when they feel it's not appropriate.
Then why ask how DH could be employer and
x
That is just such bs. An employer should have..at least..
6 months worth of expensives tucked/socked away. Where did these people attend school at??? No way would I go for that. During the contract walk through, I definitely would have specified 2 dates of the month; i.e. 15th and 30th. Anything else is... well...as all job descriptions state at the very end: and to include other duties as assigned.'
The employer is asking for it, so - sm
what do you expect the MT to do?  Tell the employer it's not necessary? 
It's not. The employer has been, (like many)
,
I would think your employer would
be concerned about HIPPA violations. If someone is hacking into their files, this is major concern. Since it apparently is your personal computer, I guess you could either acquire or request another that would only be for hospital work or try one of the geek services to trace it back. I am afraid this would involve $. Since it involves HIPPA, wouldn't that be a felony? What an unusual problem. I bet they will end up finding out a lot about this guy.
Who was your previous employer? I'm more
interested in making "insane amounts of money" than if an employer is nice to me. That's my personal preference.

Mind telling me who your previous was?

Thx.
I think though with SE the employer has to match the SS but IC is not that way. I rather like SE
status and I know there are some companies that have that but I dont know which ones.
Two accounts at each employer ...
Main accounts are acute care hospital; secondary accounts are clinics. At one employer, haven't typed on secondary account in over 6 months. At other employer, type on secondary maybe 8 hours every other month.
shouldn't you ask your employer

Is your employer hiring?
Thanks for the tips.
so, if your employer is QAing
production and quality are high, why wouldn't they  be able to judge your ability without being certified by AAMT who has sold their soul to large transcription companies like Medquist who offshore?
Shouldn't an employer pay

Not doing that is what has made the world go upside down right now.


If I am paid 7/cents a line and my cost of living is based on 12/cents a line plus


benefits, it's almost impossible to keep working for that company who is paying


7/cents a line.


It's pretty simple.


America still demands that we live an "American life style - no sh^t in the rivers, building codes, codes on how many people can live in a dwelling, high insurance rates, etc etc"


well, paying all that and making what a company is paying a peoples who don/'t have those demands is insane.


It's a simple question to our leaders?


Do you want us to live like the third world country? or do you want to give us ability to make salaries to pay for the LIFE STYLE America is demanding we do.


Frankly I'm sick and tired of paying for free loaders of any color.  When I saw Laurie Duh (don't know how to spell her name) on Fox yesterday report that one of the homeless from New Orleans........went out and bought a LOUIS VUITTON PURSE


with the $2000 she got..........I STARTED SCREAMING and if I could have gotten my hands around the neck of the idiot who thought it was a good idea to give these people the money in the first place I would have strangled him.........and then I would have done the same to the woman who bought the purse.


I'm sitting here in pain from a bad tooth and no insurance.........and she bought a purse.........LOUIS VUITTON.


p.s. Billfolds in Louis Vuitton start at around $600 and the purses are around $1500 to $5,000.


 


You have to remember that you have no employer sm
matching your Social Security withholdings.
No - My employer does match (sm)
The SS tax, so I guess I'm technically a statutory employee with the added benefit of a very flexible schedule that an IC would have. 
Convincing employer that you can do the job-sm
I want to apply for a job that I am confident I can perform; however, there are a few things listed in the job description that I am not familiar with.  How do I address this when applying.  In the cover letter? And how do I address it? I meet all the qualifications except one and I know I can learn it.  I feel like I need to address this somehow.  The other option is to not apply and at all and I really want to shoot for it.  I would appreciate some input on this situation.  Thanks!
Actually, in Texas the employer must have
if they do have such policy, they must follow it.

I checked. :)

Uneducated employer...

...if your prospective employer bothered to do the research, he/she would find out three things:  1) MTs cannot obtain malpractice insurance because MT(g) is not a medical practice, per se; 2) MTs can obtain liability insurance via the AAMT program for about $700 per year (company name forgotten, but I formerly had this insurance); and 3) if you are an employee, even work-at-home, you are supposed to be covered under their liability insurance (and Workers' Comp).  And I hope the 5 cents/line is for VR editing - a line rate that, IMO, is still a complete joke because you may end up deleting the whole report and transcribing it from scratch anyway! 


More yrs in than you & I get 8.5 w/current employer. Have gotten 9 cpl in
,
I make around $65,000/yr with my employer.
I get 11 cpl because I am a CMT while everyone else can top out at 10 cpl.

I have good insurance and more than 3 weeks of paid time off each year.

I can't do much better than this. :) I don't have to worry about accounts, just go to work and do my best.

As for the poster here who states that if someone is a CMT they should have their own accounts, what kind of logic is that? I enjoy a really great income and benefits. CMT has just been one of the advantages for me because it pulls in more money.

Everyone has to make that decision for themselves but it cost me nothing compared to what it has gained for me.

And to the other poster who has some kind of ridiculous idea that CMTs "should" have their own accounts.... no thanks! My company provides my work and worries with all the rest. I just go to work and do my job -- no worries, no hassle.

I blame my employer...

...for taking another transcriptionist's word over mine regarding a situation involving only the two of us. I blame my employer for overlooking the fact that another Transcriptionist was 15 minutes late EVERY SINGLE DAY for five years, had temper tantrums at work (even the employer said she needed anger management classes), and antagonized the radiologists - and yet still, somehow, I was the "bad guy" and that employee was the golden child. I blame my supervisor for being IN THE SAME ROOM and witnessing the cold and cruel way the other transcriptionists treated me, when I had nothing but pleasant things to say to and about them, and still allowing the manager to "let me go" when it finally came down to a choice.


No, I didn't fit in. I don't lose my temper at work. I don't try to turn people against other employees. When there is a problem at work, I have the courage to address it and calmly try to work it out. I treat other people with respect and dignity.


You're absolutely right. I didn't fit in. But I should mention - I left there August 28, 2005, and they STILL have not filled my position, nor have they filled the position of another employee who left at the end of December 2005. What does that say about who "fits in" at that department?


Neither, really. Depends on employer. sm
Tapes are slowly becoming obsolete other than a few die-hard doctors (mostly in private practice) that refuse to use the newer technology. Most of the companies use digital dictation, but again, what you need depends on what company you end up working for and what they use. If you are just going to school for MT, then you should check with your school as to what equipment you need for completion of the course.

In short, I wouldn't buy anything until you either find out what you need for a course or until you get a job and find out what the company uses (some even supply all equipment). If you already have the education and you are job searching, you will most likely need a PC foot pedal at the very least to test for most companies and a sound file player, such as Express Scribe (free download). I believe Express Scribe also has hot keys you can use in place of a foot pedal, but the foot pedal is much easier if you can swing it.
This is actually the option of the employer. Some
want the name in there and it is there responsibility to redact the report should information need to be released. It is not our responsibility as a Transcriptionist to make this determination. Always check with the "boss" for clarification on this.
You're better off without an employer like that!
Sounds like really poor management, to believe that just because you've gotten dialed in to one account, that you're automatically going to be able to type ANYTHING that gets thrown at you. You should've been give the same amount of time to learn the new account as you were the first one.
Ask your employer, every company is different. (nm)
x
Yes. Only when an employer gives consent for you
NM
Yes. Ask your employer if they have a statement
NM
Yes, but TELL him you need paper. Employer
x
Can I ask... any problems with employer . sm
I see alot of company ads say DSL/high-speed only. Where you work do they allow all types of access, dial-up, DSL, wireless, etc. if not, has there been any type of problem with using the USB card. I was thinking of getting a trial on one of those cards for a week since I am finally able to get cell phone service at my home now. Just did not want to invest in satelite or other wireless because of upfront costs, etc. Thanks for the info :)
The match that employer would pay just 7.xx%.
x
You pay your own taxes, too. Just employer
x
Yes, there is. SE the employer pays 1/2 of your SS tax. sm
As IC, you pay all of your SS tax.
The fact that her employer won't allow her to - sm
take part in staff meetings because she doesn't have a CMT speaks volumes, doesn't it? I wouldn't give the time of day to such a person, let alone my time, effort, and hard-earned money to take a 'credentials' test, ESPECIALLY when it's as bogus as a CMT. If her boss doesn't know that anti-American organization is a scam, then he's too misinformed to be in a management position.
Don't put them down as a previous employer
etc.  Same thing happened to me and I had no problem as soon as I took them off my resume.  Good luck
notifying employer
Please dont take this wrong, but you are way too worried about this. Why would you have to notify your employer you are going out of town to work? If you were moving...yes...because then you would be a legal resident...but you are merely "going on vacation," so to speak. If you have a good relationship with your account manager, I'd just say "Im going on vacation but still plan on working." No biggie. Your tax information would not change. I worked from Iowa this summer and am about to leave on a trip to California.....working from both places. No one cares....
As an IC the employer cannot dictate the
times you work. They can ask you when you will be working or you can tell them. If they have work available and you are not working, they can let you know so that if you want to work you can; but if there is no work available when you want to work, they do not have to supply any. You, as an IC, decide when you work.
maybe ask present employer to
cross-train you...pick up part-time job and start at a lesser rate in order to allow for training...
As an IC, your employer does NOT hold
out any taxes whatsoever, you are responsible for paying them. ALso, as an IC you set your own hours with a company. They do not set a schedule for you, you tell them when you can work, how long you will work, or how much dictation you can take, and transcribe that within a specified amount of time (my IC job requires all work from one day be sent in by 6 a.m. the next morning). No benefits from employer; i.e., no insurance, vacation, or holiday pay if not working, and even if working on holiday, do not necessarily get the "extra" pay a FT person probably does.

As an employee, your employer deducts your taxes and you work a set schedule and, if FT, are usually eligible for benefits.
Who is your employer? What is a TES screen?

You are an employer's DREAM Sara!
Unfortunately a work ethic like yours is very rare. I am in complete agreement with you. I would love to find people with that much enthusiasm and commitment. Try boards that area specifically FOR new MTs. Then you don't have the elders just trying to bring you down. You'll go far with your attitude and ability to tune out the negative.