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IC ethics question - LoV

Posted: Apr 20, 2010

I was recently asked by a recruiter to provide recent and most current management/supervisor references from the 'middle-man' MT service companies for which I have provided IC services. I did not think this was an appropriate thing to do. Am I wrong?

Why not, it's called "job history" - every application asks for one

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I'm not really sure how that is inappropriate. How can they tell if you have any varifiable experience if you don't tell them who you have worked for.

IC ethics question - LoV

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Thank you for your response. My dilemma is that as a self-employed IC, I - by definition - am my own boss, i.e., I work for myself!. I'd just assume give the outsourced hospital accounts'/clients' names for a reference - which obviously I wouldn't! Question remains: Is it common practice for the MTOS companies to serve as referrals?? Just doesn't seem 'kosher' to me to even ask that they would serve such a role [as a referral source...]?!? Otherwise, I have ample professional and personal references, along with past hospital employers' names/numbers, etc.

Personally - me

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If it were an MTSO, being a company, and not the direct hospital/doctor, I would not think that would be an ethics question. That would be giving away no protected information, the MTSO is a business and should be treated as such, not necessarily a client per se. I once saw on a website for an MT (she was her own IC) had a link that listed the doctors she had worked for. Presumibly these doctors had given her permission to use them as references. If you feel uncomfortable, contact the MTSOs and ask if it would be okay to use them as a work history contact.

I would think they would be used to it, seeing as how an employee would list them as a past employer.

IC ethics question - LoV

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Exactly my point: 'They' are Not a 'past employer' - 'They' are merely the 'middle men' to my True clients [i.e., that being the hospital accounts], 'I' being my Own self-employer, and 'They' being the ones who skim half of my otherwise-due pay rate! :o I do, however, very much appreciate your input. Definitely things to consider in the future... ;)

employer vs middle man - EAL

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Just my 2 cents - technically the MTSO is your employer as they are the ones who pay you - most MTSO contracts I have come across have a clause that prohibits the transcriptionist from direct contact with the actual client or approaching them in terms of offering them your services within a certain timeframe after you have left the MTSO.

I do agree with you about not wanting to provide references from all of them. The recruiter may want to verify your employment with the MTSO's which is one point, but unless you want to provide references from them I believe that is ultimately your decision and you can provide professional references as you see fit.

Now, I am in Canada, don't know if things are different in US in terms of such laws, etc.

Employers names would be okay - Hospitals are not - jm0405

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They simply want to know you actually worked in the field. No mention of any employers might make you look like a new graduate lying about job experience. Not saying you are - They only go off what is printed on the paper you submit. Appearance is everything.

Hospitals are not to be discussed. That might borderline break your disclosure/noncompete clause. It would be like revealing "ex-employer" company secrets or something.

Hospitals are bad - employers are good.

Job references - Ex-MT

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I think this sounds okay even if you are your own boss. It is like a testimonial of your services. I am sure that you've seen ads for companies that provide services with a list of testimonials that prospective clients can contact.

Wrong? - Ima MT

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Wrong is likely the wrong word :)

It's quite common (and IMO good business) to check the references of a contractor.

So they are not only very right to be asking, but I'd worry if they didn't.

Confused - Ima MT

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I think I missed something. Are they asking for services you have worked for, or are they asking you for clients you worked with through a service or are they asking you for clients you had when you were an IC? :)

Of the 3, the only one I would NOT supply is the one where you would give clients you worked for through another service.

Many business contracts call for the "performing" party - to provide extensive information.

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For instance, it would be very common for the hospital contracting with the transcription service to require the service to provide a list of other clients (analogous to companies you worked for) AND THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION (analogous to asking for your supervisor's information).

There's nothing odd or inappropriate about this request whatsoever. In fact, it's much more odd when it's not requested.

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