A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Remember back in the old days, when - sadbuttrue

Posted: Dec 15, 2010

being an IC meant that YOU told the company when YOU wanted to work, or were available to work??? I wonder what happened to those days??? I always thought that if companies were going to stick you to a set schedule and yell at you all the time you may as well have employee status and at least receive benefits?

I agree! - dont like IC

[ In Reply To ..]
I worked as an IC until I was told what my schedule had to be, then I figured someone else should deal with my taxes if I had to work a schedule.

IC status - sadbuttrue

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, but here is the thing...the company I just started working for does take out taxes if you ask them too, even though you are an IC, but they still pay the same rate per line as if you are employee status! Didnt IC's used to be paid more because they didnt have benefits and taxes taken out???

These positions only exist because MTs allow them to - Just say no

[ In Reply To ..]
If MTs would quit taking EMPLOYEE-CALLED-IC positions, then perhaps companies would get a clue.

If you are misclassified, then file with the IRS to have your status properly classified. Until then, you're complicit with the MTSO in breaking the rules.

Just say no - sadbuttrue

[ In Reply To ..]
I would gladly say no to this job but I was unemployed for about a year and my unemployment benefits were exhausted. As for the IRS, I completed the paperwork to be considered an IC, the company says they deduct 30% for taxes as a courtesy to those of us who want them to.

It's not fair to blame MTs - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I worked for 2 places that demanded a schedule. I would tell them that I was online during certain rough hours but, until they paid me as an employee, I wouldn't follow a set schedule. Had to quit both jobs because of all their issues, and I did file a complaint against one of them with the IRS, but nothing came of it.

Besides, it's either take what you're offered or they'll just find someone in another country to do a poor job for 2 cents a line. You're asking people to go without pay to stand for a principle, which is good on paper, but impossible in reality.

Principles - Just say no

[ In Reply To ..]
If enough MTs refused to be misclassified, it would change. There are jobs where as an IC you don't have to work a schedule provided by the company and other situations where you're really an employee.

I don't think MTs have the right to complain about working for companies who shaft them when they CHOOSE to work for these companies, no one twists their arm. And yes, I realize people need to work but MT isn't the only gig in town and the companies who exploit MTs aren't either.

When you do work as a true IC in a pool - you start to understand

[ In Reply To ..]
why a lot of companies have had to go to schedules. Who knows when and if anyone is going to work. I'm only an MT. I can only imagine what it is like for a manager.

What happened is that supply exceeds demand. - Pragmatist

[ In Reply To ..]
This IS our free enterprise system running free. Don't like it, start pushing for more government controls and protections. Won't do that? Then assume your position and learn to smile.

These bad days are nothing like the ones before the Progressive Era of the early 1900s. Back then, when business instructed government troops to gun down employees rioting over abuse and exploitation, the troops did just that.

I am an IC and that is exactly what I do. I think I am one - of the few. NM

[ In Reply To ..]
x

I'm lucky in that I have a true IC job right now - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I work when I want, as long as I want, no one asks questions. As someone else already said, you get some days when there is a ton of work because no one else showed up -- and of course on the last 2 days before payday, good luck getting ANY jobs. It seems like half the MTs forget they even work for this company until they realize they want a good paycheck.

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