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if you've been at MQ for over a year and had no raise...(nm)

Posted By: you should quit! on 2005-07-26
In Reply to: MQ ROCKS??? Because a poster SAYS she was hired on for increase? - MQ's cheatin heart.




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every other year, as to not raise any red flags.
:+
Last year, many people gave & we were able to raise

right at $1700.00 for the Salvation Army Christmas Angel program.  That couldn't have happened without people giving to the cause. 


MTStars Santa's House will be running until Dec. 20 and I am sure plenty of people will donate a buck or two to help us raise money for Operation Christmas Child.


I'm a hospital employee, working local at home, so I get a raise every year.
x
Mine are in year-round thank goodness! They've started their new year 2 months ago.
x
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.
Wow! Sounds like you've been through a lot this year!!! sm
I can't imagine going through all of that......Yes, taking breaks, getting up and walking around does wonders for our body. What I like to do is get up for about 10-15 minutes per 3 reports. I try not to do more than 3 reports without getting up and walking around and I've bee doing this at home for almost 8 years and I have never had problems of back, neck, shoulders. I think that is why!
Even as an employee, I truly believe that MQ will be flexible with all of us. The minute they start taking away vacation times and not letting me off once in a while after I've consistently worked my schedule is the day I give my notice.

Nice talking with you both!
I've been using Vonage for a year.
x
I've had Hughesnet for over a year
First of all, it is expensive.  $60 a month ($65 if want them to mail you a bill instead of having it taken directly from your checking account)  You have to purchase the equipment, which can run $600-$700 installed.  This dish weighs 75 lbs, so if you don't want all that weight on your roof, then it's an additional $125 to put it on a pole.  If you do that, I suggest you have some PVC pipe available so the installer can run the line through that before burying the line from the pole to your house.  Now, if you let the installer bury the line, he charges another $3.25 per foot for burying ( I just had him run it on the ground and I buried it myself with a shovel).  There is rain fade-out and it fade or drop quicker with the internet dish than with your TV dish.  Their customer service, in my book, stinks.  The first customer service reps you have to go through cannot speak English and do not know that okay means yes.  ( I help you Susan, yes? Okay.  Yes? Okay. Yes? OKAY!!!!!)  If you have problems and they get you up and running for even a second then everything is "Good".  You have to keep calling and beg and beg and holler for advanced tech, where you get an English speaking person that knows what they're doing.  But still, I have had to beg and beg with advanced tech to get a repairman out.  And I don't know where you live, but the closest installer/repairman to Jacksonville, FL is in Georgia and if there is a nonwarranty problem then I have to pay $125 trip charge and it takes them a week to come out.  Right now I have only intermittent internet service, which is not enough to work, after waiting 3 weeks for a repairman, he says the problem is a warranty part - but guess what? He doesn't have it so now it's another 1-2 week wait.  I have been fighting with them since this thing was installed.  I can't get cable, and DSL was supposed to be up and running here over a  year ago - all the lines and boxes are in, we're just waiting for someone to 'flip the switch'. But, hey, when this thing is working, it is as fast as DSL.  A girl I worked with has it and has never had a moment's problem.
About once a year I get burn-out, but I've always been able to
shake it off by taking a few days off, adjusting my schedule, etc.   This time I just can't seem to do it.   I absolutely have to work as I am the main support.  The bills are still getting paid, but we need a new roof, new windows,  furniture needs reupholstering.  There just hasn't been much extra money lately to put away for these things.   I need to be at home 6 more years and I couldn't get a job in an office making what I do now so I'm kind of stuck.   I am exploring other avenues though that will allow me to still stay home and work, plus I'm selling things on E-bay to try to help compensate for my low line counts lately. 
I've been knitting about a year. Keep buying
yarn, not enough time to knit.    I'm trying to learn to crochet too.  Doesn't look as nice as knitting usually, but I do lots of charity work and it goes much faster than knitting, easier to fix mistakes too. 
I've been seriously thinking about it. I actually like my company this year.
However, I have no money because work is slow and my kids and bills come first. I've been thinking about baking cookies and candies to mail. The people I would like to give the gift to work at home anyway, so sending it to corporate HQ wouldn't accomplish gifting those I want to thank. I can't afford to send individual gifts to each of them. Plus, a little part of me considers buying things for your supervisor to be brown-nosing.
I've been wearing them for a year while I work with no....sm
problem.  They aren't that strong.
I've been working just under a year and am on ER.. LOVE it!

nm


 


so far no one has posted they've made 100 grand a year. nm
xxxx
I've been using Vista for over a year with no problems whatsoever. sm
I'm even running a very old HP printer.

If you use ShortHand with Vista, you must upgrade to SH 10, but SH 10 also works on XP.
Very busy - just did my total for the month. This is the best year I've had in my 25 years of MT!
No complaints whatsoever! Hope the rest of my fellow MTs experience a prosperous remainder of the year!
I've worn mine working for a year and haven't had a problem. .sm
  I even still handle floppy disks all the time.  The magnets aren't that strong.
I've used it as recent as a mont ago (for a year and a half total) with no problem.

In my exeprience, it has been MT friendly.  I did have some start up issues because of Vista, but that was easily resolved if you get a cust. svc rep with a little knowledge.  My issue was with getting word to run inside of the scribe program like it was supposed to.  It kept opening outside of scribe.  By Vista being so new to the platform, It was registry problem that needed some tweeking. 


I use EXText with my current job and I've used at a couple of other jobs I've had. I've ne

used DocQscribe, but I have used Meditech, Cerner, Vianeta, the Precyse platform (I can't remember the name), Dolbey, and  Lanier platform I think was called Cequence (?). 


Out of all the different platforms I have typed on, I have liked EXText the best.  In my opinion, it's very user friendly, easy to learn, and I really like ESP which is the built in abbreviation expander.  Plus it is very easy to create your own normals which I love.  My fingers literally never leave the keyboard because there are macro keys for everything.  You can use your mouse if you prefer or learn the function macros.  I love it.  I think I'm more productive on EXText than with any other platform.


Union diesil mechanic - good pay, great benefits. We swap year to year on who brings home more sm
money.....but I am an IC and he has all the benefits...health insurance/dental that the company pays for, pension plan, 401k, etc.  Factor all of that in and he makes way more than I do.
to cowgirl - Last I knew, last year the job paid $25,000/year no taxes, etc.
The hospital was bombed about a year ago, but not a lot of damage, very minimal damage.
44-year-old WF, M, Texas, 3 grown kids, just had 26 year wedding anv.
nm
nope, still crunching last few days of year to hit my 50k this year. how can you when you haven'
;
Nothing this year. We ALWAYS got a cool surprise in the past, but this year nothing. :-( nm
d
After I went to a 1-year MT course at a vocational school, it was so bad that I did the 2-year colle
Not only did I finally receive the proper training, but the woman on the advisory board hired and mentored me. I also joined the local AAMT and networked. Good luck. I know how frustrating it can be. A community college will have a good program to include medical language, MT courses taught by local MTSOs, business English, anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, etc.
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.