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I would think a split shift would benefit them!

Posted By: Hayseed on 2007-09-11
In Reply to: I did ask those questions!!!!!!!!!!! - Frustrated

I know where I work they swoon over people who can pull a split shift...say early in the morning and then again late afternoon into evening.  I think it really helps get places out of TAT jams.  I once did 7am-11am and then 3pm-7pm for a while and it worked out great for me at the time and was equally beneficial to them.  Have you tried pointing out the potential benefits for them, to them?  Might be worth a shot if you haven't already.  Good luck! 





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split shift
split shifts are great!  you will do much, much better if you split your 8 hours up by 4 and 4.  Early in the day and then late evening are usually the best. 
Split shift

Employee;  afternoon and late night/early morning split shift.


split shift
I work Sun-Thu 6A-10A, 6P-10P. This works really well for me, as I could not sit at a computer for 8 hours straight, and I have Fri and Sat off to spend time with my kids.
split shift
I work M, T, W, & F 8:00-12:30 and 2:30-7:00 (9-hour days).  I, too, find it hard to sit for a complete 8- to 9-hour shift and enjoy the split.
Split shift
My kids are all in school, so I work M, Tu and W 12 noon - 3:30 p.m. and then 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m., Thu 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. and Sun 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.  This works real good for me.  I'm part time.
split shift
10a-2p and 7p-11p

works well to give me time in the morning to get my child off to school and a few things done, same when the bus comes. my child is a little older so the 7p is just a couple hours before bedtime and I take a break for bedtime. I love my split.
Split shift helped me a LOT! Was
getting very painful to type eight hours straight.  It has helped to the point where I barely realize any pain anymore.  Also, I can seem to go "great guns" the first hour or two of my shift, and then slow down some after that. This way, with split shift, I have two sets of "two hours" of gungho, at least as gungho as I can get...LOL. 
Have you considered a split shift? DH and I

are on separate schedules (though I have some flexibility) and we find we have to plan private time.  I'm a night person, he's a morning person - just doesn't work very well.  If you worked Sunday through Thursday schedule you'd have a chance to have some time to sleep on Friday and you could still have a weekend and not be dragging your butt.   If kids are all in school you could sleep during the day and working nights might not be so bad.  There will be a period of adjustment and there will have to be some compromise about when you sleep and when DH takes care of the kids, but you do what you have to do. 


I have a daughter and a split shift.

My daughter will be 2 in April...Maybe you can try something like this... I am working 5 a.m. - 8 a.m. and again at 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.  


yup, employee, split-shift.
x
IC - work split shift. nm
v
Split shift and kids
I find the same with the split shift. It works out great to get kids to and from school, dinner, etc. but I am wiped out. I feel like I have no downtime. I have thought about homeschooling but I am also hesitant that it will take too much out of me being that I already feel so exhausted.

I'm no expert but my neighbor has home schooled 3 kids. She told me that there is an association or something that she is a part of where a large group of home-schooled kids get together for field trips and more structured lessons and things like the all important health videos that no kid wants to watch with their parents. lol Not sure what is is called but she did say it is online so maybe some googles might turn something up in your area.
Definitely split shift...I use a hot parafin wax dip when they're really bad -- also,
i have my "magic typing gloves" You can buy them at most major drug stores... they're kind of like support hose stockings for your hands.. fingers are free, but hands and wrists are warm, toasty, comfy and happy. About 10 bucks a hand, but truly worth it..
I usually work a split shift on Sundays
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (there really isn't much to do during that time), then I log back in after 9 p.m. when I get my son in bed and will usually work for 3 or 4 hours. I am usually busy then because the docs are all dictating their pre-surgical H&Ps for Monday morning surgeries. I'm on the East Coast and my hospital is on the West Coast, so it works out good that way.
I will occasionally log in on Saturday afternoons too, but work is slim to none then, so I usually don't bother.
I work a split shift just for this very reason.
After about 6 hours, I am toast. Now I work 2 4's with a 4-hour break in between. I always come back to work so refreshed, and it has really helped my productivity.
Split shift MTs---what hours do you work? sm

I'm trying to revamp my schedule around transporting kids.  Would be interested to know what works for you.  Thanks! 


Should clarify, I was an IC for a company working a split shift. nm
d
Do any of you work a split shift? Are you employee status or IC? Thanks!-nm

Every company is different -- I worked FT for one as an employee but worked a split shift - sm
So I never took breaks. I would work 5 hours, break for about 4 hours then do another 3. Another company I worked for did not care what hours you worked (IC) but wanted a min. amount of work each day, 500 for PT and 1000 for FT-- BUT they paid you by how many lines an hour you put out, the higher the lph the higher up the scale you made per line in pay; they have since changed everyone to a flat rate with incentive. But bottom line, if you are an IC it does not matter what hours you work, though many ask for a schedule and ask you to stick to it, they just want you to meet line requirements daily, i.e. 1000 per day, 1200 per day, whatever it is.
if it is feasable, split that 6-hour shift into two 3-hour shifts. sm
i work a split shift and find that i am much better able to stay focused and get more work done that way. also, being 3 months pregnant you have gone through the very tiring time of pregnancy and you should start seeing an energy perk before long.
Split? I bought old IBM off ebay but not split.
..
Split keyboard mounted on chair arms versus split keyboard on desk

For longtime comfort which is best - split keyboard mounted on chair arms or split keyboard to be used on the desk?


Also, why the preference over split keyboards that come totally apart versus split keyboards that are permanently connected at the top?


I want to revamp my office and there are so many different options.


I can see no benefit -
I have never had any problem getting or keeping an MT job. My work speaks for itself. A few companies offer a little more money if you are a CMT, but to me that does not offset the cost of keeping up those credentials. BTW, I used to QA several gals who had their CMT. One of them was a very marginal MT and the other was terrible and could not do anything other than simple clinic work. It has been my experience that the credentials really do not mean a whole lot. Some people may have a totally different experience.
LLC/INC - has no benefit to me

but, company wants that in place to do prn work.  Does anyone see the benefit of this???  It will cost me several hundred dollars to set it up, plus the separate income tax filing, etc.  Anyone with experience here?  I am one person, not a company and I don't understand the reasoning.


The benefit of being an IC is that

you are your own boss meaning that you can choose to work when you want.  Stay away from the companies hiring ICs with a set schedule as they are breaking the law and will abuse you.  Those companies need to hire employees, but don't to save money.


The other benefit to being an IC or self-employed (one in the same) is that you can write off tons of business expenses, i.e., tissues, paperclips, the area in which you work, utilities, staples, paper, ink for your printer, paper, computers, printers, hole punchers, scotch tape, mileage.... the list goes on and on; get a good tax person and not a fly-by-night.  You will get charged a penalty if you owe taxes at the end of the year unless you pay quarterly or have enough from an employee job withheld to cover your taxes.  If not, then I would suggest taking a portion of your income to pay quarterly taxes.


There are a lot of MTs who are ICs but will bend over backwards for their company they contact with because they need the money, but I, for one, will not.  As an IC, I am my own boss and I decide what work I will do and when.  The only requirement I have with the online MTSO I contract with is that I have what work I take from the pool back within 24 hours.  No line quota, no set schedule..  that's how it should be.  Also, as an IC, I have my own accounts; this is what an IC is about; not having all of your eggs in one basket.  There is no such thing as full-time part-time as an IC - it's just IC.  Full-time and part-time is for employees.  Check the site IRS.gov and you'll find examples of ICs and employees. 


benefit ideas

This may be a little late as it takes some planning, but my great niece was in an "American Girl" (the popular dolls) Fashion show which raised close to 40,000 for a child who passed 2 years ago from brain cancer and this benefit went to the fund the parents kept up for research.


The American Girl company coordinates it, has a whole package thing and the girls modeling are dressed just like the American Girl doll they carry...it was the cutest thing and well worth the money for the ticket.


you're right, but it is a tax benefit...sm

It may very well be a tax benefit for me because I bought my place in 2005 and I think home improvements can be deducted to some extent - I find out tomorrow when I go bring in my taxes to the CPA!!! 


Before then, I couldn't do any home improvements.  The floor $ came from a life insurance policy someone left me in 2005, unexpected to say the very least.  Now, every time I look at the floors, I think about that person!   There IS no extra $$ in this life ever is the way I see it, unfortunately, and I'm very humble(d).


Benefit question
I have worked only in-house for years and am now beginning an at-home position.  For those who work for nationals who have benefits how do you work under the stress of having to keep your line counts at a certain amount or have your insurance dropped?  What if you do not make your required line count? 
The benefit of personal experience

  I was surgically menopaused at 35 after 4 major abdominal procedues starting at 18.   Prior to the removal of my uterus and remaining ovary, I've hemorrhaged multiple times, been critically anemic, etc., etc.   Early on I was deemed a high risk for gyn cancer, although the major scare came at 35 with a necrotic ovarian mass.  I made a conscious, informed decision early on not to have my remaining ovary and uterus removed until the threat of cancer could not be ruled out with testing. 


  Within days of the final procedure,  I became despondent and so hormonally challenged I was suicidal.  HRT took months to help.  I have never regained what was lost by having a cleanout done, despite the obvious need to have it done.  It does impact every woman differently.  Some sail through and others suffer.  I can tell you that in retrospect, the only thing that would move me to have this procedure is a life threatening risk if I didn't.  Think long and hard because there are more terrible things out there than the imposition of monthly cramps and excessive bleeding.   The quality of your life may improve or it may decrease. Please do not misunderstand me - If you are under a cancer threat or require transfusions, I would not hesitate to do it.   Good luck to you.


 


Is there any benefit to getting clients anymore? sm
Most clients where I live (Virginia Beach) want me to pick up tapes. They will call if the MT quit, and then they want to pay only 10 CPL. I can’t hire MTs at less than 8 CPL. Then, behind my back, they look for in-house personnel. Once they find it, I’m out of a job again. Dishonest OMs that just use me. Don’t know which way to go. Don’t need a lot of work, just trying not to work for nationals (f that’s possible anymore).

I’m thinking of getting work outside my state. Does anyone have any suggestions?

AlphaGrip mousing benefit

When I first began using the AlphaGrip my right forearm, wrist, hand, and shoulder were already in pretty bad shape from typing.  I noticed a new pain on the side of my hand, but I think this was due to trying to get used to using the AG, as I no longer have this pain now that typing flows more easily.  All of the other pains mentioned are much improved now, and it seems that the more I use the AG versus using the keyboard, the greater the reduction in pain has become.  I much prefer the AG and unless I am scrambling to meet a deadline I do not use the keyboard at all.  I cannot wait until the day that I feel I can throw it in the garbage can. 


 


You are right about the mouse.  I think that the pains I was having had a great deal to do with mousing, and that was the number one feature that sold me on the AG.  As I mentioned, I was looking for about two years, but purchased the AG in under a week after first seeing it.  This is exactly what I was looking for in a new keyboard . . . a way to mouse right there readily available, and the traditional mouse was the first thing to go when the AG arrived.  I haven’t looked back!


 


It actually was not strange to hold at all and fingers fall into place naturally, and a lot of the keys are struck with the same finger as one would use on a conventional keyboard, though not all, and it is a matter of getting used to the new positioning, which is the same reason that some of the ergo keyboards that have a normal key layout are awkward to learn to use and will slow one’s typing speed down. 


 


There is a lot of information available on their web site for learning to use and customizing the AlphaGrip.  While I’m sure it’s not for everyone, I am very happy with mine and glad I found it.  


MQ letter/comprehensive benefit package
 I really did not make much of it.  It would be GREAT,especially if they can offer something for the part timers, but I'm not holding my breath to hear the news.  It's been promised/talked about for forever, sure would be nice to finally hear.
Give them the benefit of the doubt the first time.
x
I'd give them the benefit of the doubt....especially since it has never been a problem - sm
It could have gotten lost in the mail, it does happen, or mislaid by the P.O. (that happens to). My checks had been a big late recently myself but it was the fault of the mailer, she was not too responsible in getting them to the mailbox....the office has since corrected the problem since 15+ MTs kept wondering why their checks were 5-7 days later than usual. --If you don't have it by the time you invoice for your next check, ask them to cancel the missing one and either cut you another and mail with the current check due or just combine them into one check.
by hour definitely $15-- I am not super fast so this would benefit
x
Yep, see what our work looks like without the benefit of an American MT making 3 cpl
to edit!  All you MTs out there working for peanuts just so you can say you're an editor, realize you are making the Indians look good and taking away OUR paychecks!
That is a wonderful benefit...and I am sure your daughter appreciated you being there...
nm
MTSO usually also repeats benefit of padding
x
What did you make of the comprehensive benefit package they talked about

For decades, a company benefit has been health insurance
along with retirement plans, paid holidays, PTO, etc. Only in the world of MT (and maybe Wal-Mart) are many companies not paying for these benefits.
some people benefit from making a list, all the plusses and minuses, and

Sheila, saving one from "Micky Mouth" mistakes is actually a big benefit. SM
I make few typos as I go along these days, compared to without an expander. Although some peculiar things can get inserted into a report when the typo turns into an unintended expansion.

But as Shipaddict says, there's just no comparison.
hit left Shift key 3 times, then right Shift key 3 times -
nm
anyone know what the split was?
I'd love to know what the split was--anyone know?  It was so close last week between the 3 of them. 
Not to split hairs....
but in order to be a satanic person, you have to worship or even believe in satan first.  I don't know a huge amount about world religions but I do know that satan is largely a christianity religion figure and that most other religions don't believe in such an entity let alone worship one.  I guess my comment is a piece of the discussion best left for a religions board, so I just had that thought and I will leave it alone
I never use my mouse with DQS unless I split a job
x
been split for years

I start about an hour after I wake up, which can be any time in the middle of the night, and put in about 2-3 hours. I usually go back to sleep between 7 and 6:30 a.m. I get up again when my body tells me to, and then I'm back to work between 11 a.m. and noon. I'll work until 4 and 5 p.m.

A "regular day" (two 15-minute breaks and an hour for lunch) is way too hard on me. Been doing the split for years.


I have to split or I'd run out of steam.
Early a.m. 6:00 to 10 for starters and then, depending on what I've got going on or what is going on with the kids, either noon to 3:00 or at night after supper.  Love the flexibility.
split shifts, yes
That definitely would help, also wrist splints, but flexible support ones help as well.
split keyboard

Go to www.datavisionergonomics.com.  They have several different styles of keyboards.  I personally have one just like the Maxim keyboard, which is just like the keyboard has been chopped in half right down the center.  I've used mine for ten years and it's getting old and needs to be replaced.  When I bought mine ten years ago, it was over $400.00.  You can buy one now for under $$150.00.  Here's how it works:


I sit in my chair with my arms at my sides, and each half of the keyboard is directly in front of each arm.  I can put my schedules, an 8.5 x 11 in. paper, in-between the two halves of the keyboard!  That's how far apart the two halves are, and there is no strain on my wrists, shoulders, arms, or neck.  When I try to use my husband's keyboard now, a regular keyboard, I can't even type my name! 


It'll take you 1-2 days to get used to this style of keyboard, but take my word for it, you will love it and never want to go back to the traditional keyboards or even the so-called "split" ones that are still all in one unit, but have the right and left hands a little farther away from each other. 


Another thing, I (like you) use my left thumb space bar as the back space.  My right thumb, as usual, hits the forward space.  I never have to use my right pinky to go way up and hit the original back space key.  Hmm...maybe Maxim will give me a free keyboard if I refer enough MTs to them.    Let me know if you have any other questions.  Have a fun day!


Where can I get one of the split keyboards
I would love to have one, but the only ones I've seen are very expensive.