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Keyboard/Book of Style - JMM

Posted: Nov 30, 2011

Thanks for the input.

I work for a hospital from home - ERMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I was supplied with a straight keyboard, which is the only kind my hospital supplies. I didn't like it, so I bought an ergonomic one.

We are also expected to follow BOS3 rules and had to buy our own copies. I think there is probably a copy in house if we have to go in to work.

I think that is just standard practice.

Sorry, but... - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I think your complaints are pretty minor. If you lose that job and have to work for one of the MTSOs, you will see how good you really had it.

Very well said Sorry - ERMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I know that jobs like mine are hard to come by. I worked for MQ for about a minute a few years ago and that was enough for me. I feel valued as an employee in my current position and if I have to purchase my own BOS3 or a different keyboard than is offered, then so be it. It is a small price to pay.

Holy crap - reality check - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
Right on - well said. I'm thinking, and THIS is your complaint? You are very fortunate.

In the real world working in any other place you will be required to supply your own reference materials (some places even require you to have the entire set of Stedman's - talk about an investment) and if there is special equipment you need outside of what is provided you are totally expected to provide it for yourself at YOUR expense.

I'm also a home-based hospital employee ... - AncientMT

[ In Reply To ..]
... and I think you're about to shoot yourself in the foot.

That clause about providing what you need to perform your job does not mean they have to give you everything you want or prefer.

I agree with the posters above. And if I were you, in that meeting I'd back down from the defiant/demanding stance about what you think the company owes you; instead, find a way to present your issues in a businesslike manner, make your points relevant to how these purchases you want them to make will benefit the department as a whole (not just you), and be open to alternative solutions. That's your best chance for a good outcome. Best of luck!

Employee vs IC - Linda Osborne

[ In Reply To ..]
I've worked as a hospital employee and also as independent contractor. You have the best of both worlds working mostly at home as an employee. I'd love to be in your shoes right now! I'm not sure if you can write off any expenses as tax deductions if you are employee status. As an employee I bought my own keyboard and didn't complain. The hospital needs to buy in bulk and they can't taylor their purchase to individual employee requests. Just be happy with the situation you have.

Why don't you just buy the keyboard - and BOS3

[ In Reply To ..]
yourself and then claim it as an expense on your taxes (like I think any remote MT would)? If you work at home, you can claim your home office and any expenses needed to maintain your job. Use it at home and bring it with you on the weekends.

As far as the keyboard, you are being unreasonable. Unless you have a disability or the keyboard is some kind of ergonomic disaster that causes pain, you need to get over it. Because you "do just awful" isn't a reason to be catered to. As for the BOS, it's your responsibility to know it. If you don't want to buy one yourself, study the one that's available when you do go in house.

You need to consider yourself very, VERY lucky to have the position that you do. Make enough unreasonable waves, and that will be more incentive for your hospital to outsource to an MTSO (like many other hospitals have already done), putting not only your job - but the entire department - in jeopardy.

Good luck.

Keyboard/Book of Style - JMM

[ In Reply To ..]
I do have a disability and the keyboard is an ergonomic disaster. My hands hurt so bad and my line count was terrible. When I get home from working in-house I ache so much I go to bed. I told them ahead of time that I have polymyalgia rheumatica and also ADD in which I need the keyboard and the book by me at all times because of my concentration problems. I am still able to maintain my line count of 300 per hour and my QA of 98%, but I struggle. The sad part is that I love transcription. I think I better drop this subject for now....

If you're disabled, it's a totally - different story.

[ In Reply To ..]
Your original post did not mention that. If there is a documented disability and/or workers' comp claim due to overuse/ergonomic work site issues, your employer should work with you. However, I do not know the details of such, what exactly they're responsible for, whether it needs to be reported, etc., so I'm not of much help here. Maybe someone else has more experience with this and can chime in.

Sorry if I came across as a bit short or snippy, but without that detail, it changed the context of your post. Good luck to you.

Keyboards - ERMT

[ In Reply To ..]
There is a learning curve with an ergonomic keyboard, but they really are much more comfortable and your line counts do bounce back. I can not type at all on the straight keyboards that we keep on our home computers for my daughters now.

BOS3 - ERMT

[ In Reply To ..]
You can get the BOS3 on half.com for as low as $50. It retails for almost $90 I believe.

Keyboard/Book of Style - JMM

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks. I never heard of half.com!

Sure thing! - ERMT

[ In Reply To ..]
Poke around on there. They may even have a keyboard on there that might work for you. If not, you can probably get a great deal on Amazon...especially this time of year.

Sorry, but you are overreacting - We ALL have to buy our own stuff - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
xxx

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