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Paid for spaces versus black character only - jm0405

Posted: Apr 05, 2010

Just as an experiment...With Saince I typed about 12-13 reports, typed one that was 18 minutes long in the midst of the others. It equaled a little over 400 lines (it was under 420).

Now, with a job that pays for spaces, I typed one report 12 min long - 126 lines. Typing 10 reports, I hit 424 lines.

The Saince reports were standard type, most 1-1/2 to 2 pages long...ONLY 400 lines??? Most of the ones I just did this morning for another company were mostly 1 page long, VR, discharge summaries...WAAAYYYY LESS TYPING, shorter reports by far, MORE MONEY???

Hope this answers your question about those jobs paying for "black character" only.

I would never take a job that doesn't pay for - spaces.

[ In Reply To ..]
It's a keystroke, whether you can see it or not.

If they don't want to pay for spaces, I will type their reportswithoutspacessotheygettheideathatspacesareimportantandshouldbepaidfor.

LOL - jm0405

[ In Reply To ..]
You got it!! I didn't realize the pay difference until I took a job like that for a 1-1/2 weeks. UGLY! What would be 600 lines for job w/space is about 200 without space being paid for. Cheap and cheesy!

It's not important whether they pay for spaces or not, but - HOW MUCH they pay for whatever method they use.

[ In Reply To ..]
If you're comparing the same per-line rate in both cases, then yes, you lose without spaces. Without spaces I would expect a higher rate, or shorter than 65-character lines, but otherwise HECK NO!

Respectfully disagree - every keystroke should count, regardless of line r

[ In Reply To ..]
The VBC way of line counting is yet another way that our good friends ADHI have proven that they are in bed with the MTSOs and have no interest in promoting MTs. They were the ones that came up with it and have been the ones to heavily promote it.

My problem with VBC - regardless of line rate - is the gradual erosion of the value of our services. To my mind, it's very much the same as the gradual erosion of the line rates. Years ago 12 to 13 cpl was considered standard. Now we consider it fortunate if we find someone who is paying 9 cpl for typing and let's not even start on the decreased rate for ASR. If we accept the VBC way of counting lines with the caveat that we need to make a higher line rate, it's just a matter of time before the VBC way becomes "standard" and then the line rate will gradually creep down.

My own personal opinion is that every character needs to be paid for, not just the ones that you see, no matter what line count the company is offering to supposedly make up for the difference. If they can offer a higher line rate to make up for it, then they can pay for every single character.

I'm with another poster who said that if they don't want to pay me for spaces, thentheydon'tgetanyspacesintheirdocument.

Well, don't know about you, but - just sayin

[ In Reply To ..]
if I had an offer from a company that didn't pay for spaces but I would ultimately make more money because of a higher line/character rate, I believe I'd take that sucker! But to each his own.

Do you really think a company that cheats by paying - only for VBC would pay more per line?

[ In Reply To ..]
Never happen. A company that cheats its workers by paying only for visible characters, and not spaces, will cheat them in other ways, as well. And they'll be the first to find other ways to lower your pay.

No, not a company that cheats. But there - are others out there that

[ In Reply To ..]
don't. Maybe few and far between, but they're out there!

My whole point was that there are many methods of pay, and to me it's more about the net result than what method they use. That's all. Simply focusing on spaces or no spaces isn't the be-all, end-all.

Unless the company is trying to cheat you; I know, I know...but again, what does that come down to? The net pay!

My gripe is this... - jm0405

[ In Reply To ..]
I wouldn't mind working for no spaces if the company were honest from the get-go about it. What I mean is this: I was told only paid by black character. Ok..but after 11-12 reports or so, I only had 400 lines when I looked and I asked, "Is this with or without spaces and all? Is this black character only or are you going to deduct more?" He wouldn't answer me. I don't appreciate that dishonesty where you believe you are going to make x-amount of money and then payday rolls around and they decide not to pay you. Instead, they dictate what they fell like paying. For more about this complaint, on company board, read up on Sciance. They did just this - WITHOUT TYPING...They also believe that the $171 they paid was a kind move and they don't wish to pay me for the lines I typed.

This is where I don't like "black character only". If a company were more honest, forthcoming, willing to communicate and stick with paperwork, this might be workable for a new MT. I figure no spaces would average out to 0.065 a line or thereabouts. That's new MT wage. I have been here 20 years - no thank you. The way Sciance will not be open about what they are willing to pay you for payday is unacceptable for anybody!! For the 37-1/2 hours in my PC, they think an average of $2.20 covers my time and bills...THAT IS ILLEGAL - FAR UNDER MINIMUM WAGE!!!

I am more inclined to go with a company that is a straight shooter. What you see for lines is what we're paying you for. I avoid companies that tell you to deduct 20% from your line count because they don't pay headers. That's equivalent to dishonesty listed above. WE DON'T WORK FOR FREE PEOPLE!! I don't like games played with my income. Naturally, I oppose paying for "black character only" especially with an employer that left the door open so they can steal money from their 10 American MTs working for them (6 of us were hired on March 23rd mind you) after 10 years of being in business in the United States. Rip of Indians - Leave Americans alone.

In these proposals, be careful...proceed with caution.

Amen to that! MTs should be paid by keystroke anyway, but we're not and now - MoMT

[ In Reply To ..]
they want to take away keystrokes. It's a buncha hooey!

I get paid by the keystroke, but I know that's - not the norm.

[ In Reply To ..]
*

A space is a keystroke. Period. - No ifs, ands, or buts.

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Um...yes. Yes it is. - ?

[ In Reply To ..]
*

So is Enter, Tab, Bold, Underline, Shift... - If a finger hits a key, any key...

[ In Reply To ..]
It is a keystroke/character.

Yep... :) - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
*

Black Character - sjh

[ In Reply To ..]
My employer just went to visible black character last week. She raised my line rate not even a full penny, so after doing some math I am getting 20% less. I am looking for new employment now. Any companies hiring now? I have over 5 years experience?

Thanks for letting me vent :-(

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