Canadian Woman Nathalie Blanchard Loses Benefits Over Facebook Photos
A Canadian woman on long-term sick leave claims that she lost benefits because of photos posted on Facebook.
Nathalie Blanchard has been on sick leave from IBM in Bromont, Quebec for the past year after being diagnosed with major depression. She was receiving monthly sick-leave benefits from insurance giant Manulife.
Nathalie called Manulife when she stopped receiving payments and was told that she was available to work because of Facebook.
Blanchard said that her insurance agent described several photos of her on Facebook including ones of her at a Chippendale’s bar, at her birthday party and on vacation at the beach.
Blanchard said that the insurance company said that the pictures are proof that she is no longer depressed. Her lawyer is exploring what steps should be taken next.
Blanchard told CBC that her doctor advised that she attempt to forget her problems by partying with friends and taking short get-aways.
Manulife declined to comment on Blanchard’s case, but did say they would not deny or terminate a claim based solely on information published on websites such as Facebook.
So they just expect her to stay at home and wallow in depression then? Stupid.
If the cure for her depression involves foreign holidays and strip joints then I’m not 100% sure i wish to fund that through my premiums.
Manulife, likes to play god with people’s lives. They can perform miracles …on paper at least, by declaring the sick “cured” Of course, the “cured” part remains only a paperwork miracle because the patient’s status is not affected by Manulife’s declaration. Unlike a real miracle, this only serves Manulife’s purposes.
Too many people are treated this way and it’s about time that it came to light. Bonne chance Natalie!