Posted by AuntieMel on July 28, 2004, at 10:27:46
In reply to GENERAL ELECTRIC WONT PAY SICK EMPLOYEE's, posted by CavemanXx on July 27, 2004, at 15:59:11
Argh. I had to go through the short term disability paperwork nightmare my self, but they were a bit more cooperative. Having just come out of a hospital didn't hurt.
The person handling your information is probably a case manager hired by the insurance company. Most insurance companies have them these days. Their job is to be the go-between for you and the employer so that personal things *can* be kept confidential.
If your medical information is being spread all over the company without you signing a clearance it is more than likely *someone* (likely HR) has broken a law. But getting anything done about it is difficult, and I'm not sure it is worth it at this time. The focus should be on getting your benefits.
Have you tried calling GE's benefits administration office? Making a contact there is crucial. You should explain (IMPORTANT: don't sound angry or they will think you don't sound sick) the following things:
1) Your diagnosis - offer to have the doctor fax them a letter.
2) You feel uncomfortable returning to work until your doctor clears you. (this one usually gets them - it's a HUGE liability for them to let you come to work without a clearance. I wasn't even allowed to come in for a meeting, and my supervisors weren't allowed to call me asking when I was going to return)
3) The difficulties you are having with the case manager not approving the disability and the errors in the report. Stick to the big ones and summarize the rest with 'a lot of little things not worth mentioning' but be sure to save some little ones in case they call you on it.
4) The breach of confidentiality and how uncomfortable you are now that your co-workers know about your illness.
5) The financial hardship you are going through because of these actions. DON'T go into future employability - they won't care, so why waste your breath.Be sure to get the name and address of the benefits rep. Take notes while you are talking and follow it up with a recap letter.
This is a big enough company that they will sit up and take notice. They don't want the publicity.
poster:AuntieMel
thread:371303
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040725/msgs/371611.html