A renegade medical transcriptionist rants about the inherent crappy nature of his former job. He used to have no choice, so he held on to that job because there weren't many other jobs available to him at that time. He used to be a victim of global exploitation occasionally masquerading as outsourcing.

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Beware: The Truth About AM-Accuscripts

There is an MTSO that goes by the name of AM-Accuscripts. This company blatantly violates labor and human rights laws. Here are some of the malpractices going on:

1. No contract - Everything is verbal. Yes, you're simply asked to start on a certain day without any written agreement whatsoever. What are the implications? You can't prove you were ever employed by the company in case you plan to sue. What's worse is that the owner can impose a regulation at the snap of a finger.

It's so easy to get in; even a novice MT with good listening skills will bag that job; however, it's difficult to get out.

Moreover, once you leave, the owner will bug you with text messages in an attempt to make you feel guilty and miserable, as if you can't find another job elswhere. She even bragged that she was paying some of her people so much money, as if one was deeply indebted to her because of that.

2. No explicitly-written rules and regulations - There are bulletins posted warning you not to do this or that, but that's basically it. Employees were punching in for those who were late, thereby committing company fraud, but the practice continues to be tolerated; no, there are no rules governing this.

3. No tax deductions - Sure, they may be paying taxes, but the taxes they pay are definitely not what's due the government.

4. No SSS - Social security contributions are important. What if one suddenly needs money for an emergency? You can't loan from the SSS if you hadn't been contributing for the past 2 years straight. I know that employers guilty of this can be put behind bars.

5. No overtime pay - Imagine people slaving away for more than 8 hours a day without overtime pay? What do we get in return? A dinner of palabok or tapsilog? Is that fair? Here's something that will make you feel like a slave: The owner won't let you leave the office until she thinks that enough work has been done. Yes, working for 11 hours is common. You know how unfair she is? If you're late for 16 minutes or more, you don't get a proportionate deduction; instead, you get paid 0.50 centavos per line. Yes, that's how one-sided she can get.

6. No 13th month pay - By law, companies are required to give the 13th month pay to employees.

7. No medical/health benefits - Apparently, the owner doesn't care about her employees' health.

8. Late payment of salaries - This goes to show that the owner doesn't really care about her employees' financial needs.

9. Favoritism - What's the bundy clock for? If someone punches in for somebody else and she likes the people involved, she will let something like that pass. Clearly corporate fraud. How would you feel if you tried your best to arrive early every day of your life, and then for some reason you end up being late? Don't you think it's unfair that some cheaters don't get a deduction?

10. Low wages - Can you imagine an MTSO paying 0.79 centavos per line? The industry standard is 1.00 peso, and most of the companies are giving this rate.

11. A 1,500-peso bond is deducted immediately, which means that during your first 3 or 4 days, you don't get paid as you're being trained. Remember that you also spend for fare and food on those first 3 or 4 days. You can only get back your 1,500 pesos after one year of being exploited by being forced to work extremely long hours.

12. No HIPAA document signed by MTs. Wait till MxSecure finds out about this. An unannounced check will prove the nonexistence of such documents.

13. Most editors, if not all, usually try to correct something that isn't wrong to begin with simply because it's what they heard. These people won't ever likely be able to find a job in another MT company because, as they say, bad habits are hard
to break, and they won't get any better. They can't even follow simple instructions from clients. If you think you're going to get better as an MT in this company, you're wrong. The editors are going to make you dumber and dumber, dragging you down with them in the process. Besides, there are no expicit performance metrics there.

You're good in the eyes of the owner only if you've been there long and you want to leave, then the owner will promote you so you'll stay.

14. The owner keeps bragging about bagging new accounts only to lose them
because of incompetent employees; in fact, a bunch of newly hired MTs were forced to take a leave of absence. In addition, the company loses its employees because of the owner's unfair labor practices.

15. Wages are paid LATE. Yes, if payday falls on a holiday, a weekend, or a Monday, you won't get your salary on time. The owner doesn't care if you have to settle financial obligations. If you're unlucky and there's a 2-day holiday after the weekend, i.e., Monday and Tuesday, and payday was supposed to be on the Saturday of that weekend, you'd have to wait until Wednesday. I don't understand how much bank interest the owner stands to lose if she paid her employees on the Friday of that weekend. Maybe she really is that greedy.

I pity those who are lured by the owner's sweet talk. She will tell you that the files are easy and there are no ESL dictators, but what she's saying is the exact opposite. I also understand the fact that many have spent from 25,000 to 35,000 pesos on a medical transcription course, which makes them more likely to bite the bait in order to get back what they had spent for; it will take them at least 6 months to do so.

It's really up to the reader to decide whether what they're reading here is true or not. Go ahead and apply. You might be taken in; which is a good thing, so you'll know what I'm talking about. Don't say I didn't warn you.

It is unbelievable that businesswomen like her aren't behind bars.