The biggest downside of Medquist/Spheris is the pay. They don't give raises...ever. I asked for a raise once, and they told me my "raise" is getting faster and doing more work. That would even be fine with me, if it were possible. They took away all bonuses and incentives based on production and gave everyone a "flat rate" pay per line. A couple months later, they gave everyone a pay cut (YES...they lowered our pay). Think they took a cut in their salary? HA! See Spheris' Financial Statement and executive salaries/benefits.
Put together the low line rate and the constant lack of work, MTs are just not making ends meet. "Bare minimum" benefits (major medical, etc.) sure do not help.
I feel bad for the customers. It has not always been this way. We have always been all about the customer, keeping them happy and making sure we submit quality work...no matter what. With the low pay/lack of work, MTs have to submit work I would never consider unacceptable. Quality and pride are just NOT priorities anymore...and that is sad. :-(