A Nortel employee asks, 'Since when does disabled mean disposable?'
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 | 09:46 AM ET
Submitted by Jackie Bodie.
My name is Jackie Bodie and I’m a Nortel employee on long-term disability.
Never did I expect that I would actually have to use the disability insurance that I dutifully paid premiums for during my 14 year career with Nortel. A phone conversation with a Nortel HR employee confirmed one particularly important question I had regarding the details of their plan — that I would be provided with a disability income up to age 65. This was enough to satisfy me that I had sufficiently planned for a worst case scenario.
View video of pensioners protesting Nortel.
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In 2003, that worst case scenario materialized. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 33 — in what I considered to be the height of my career. Two years later, I found myself on long term disability and thanking my lucky stars for the foresight to plan for the unexpected.
Today, I sit at my computer, painstakingly typing this story. As my disease has progressed, writing is next to impossible at the best of times and typing on a keyboard has given a whole new meaning to the phrase “banging my head against the wall.” The backspace key is my new best friend.
I’m confused and worried. Confused that what I was told by my employer was not true and worried because now my financial future lies on the Nortel chopping block, for reasons that I have no control over.
Why is this allowed to happen? Myself and 408 other Nortel employees paid for peace of mind. All those years of paying premiums are worth nothing if the employer can decide not to honour the LTD plan when it suits. The kicker in all of this is that it’s too late for me to develop any kind of backup plan for my financial security. Disability insurance with a pre-existing condition will cost me a fortune — if I can even get it.
So at this point, I have no choice but to wait for the Nortel court proceedings to determine my fate. With two young children to raise and a spouse whose contract job is by no means secure, I’m not sure how I’m going to pay for my increasing medication costs, never mind my children’s educations.
Stress is bad for anyone, but particularly so for someone with Parkinson’s disease. It exacerbates my symptoms immensely, rendering me non-functional. Until now, I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to financially afford luxuries like part-time childcare which allowed me the opportunity to seek professional help in coping with my illness. There are some in my boat who are facing homelessness. Thankfully I’ll still have a roof over my head — for now anyway.
I recall a saying about teaching a man to fish rather than feeding him. Well, it seems that I’ve been taught how to fish, but now I’m having the fishing rod yanked from my hands.
Why is this allowed to happen? I didn’t realize I’d become disposable at the tender age of 40.
Are you a Nortel employee who has also been affected? Send us your story: letters@cbc.ca
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Comments
Melanie
Caledon
Jackie - your story is compelling. I can't believe that the government isn't standing up for your cause. Paying premiums to companies that are self insured is just wrong, you paid the premium to have insurance and now they are telling you that it was a farse?
Posted October 7, 2009 03:11 PM
under*underdopg
PEI
My heart goes out to you. I think that this is terrible that we, as citizens, are not protected against corporate misadventures. Although LTD with any insurance company is not forthcoming in the way we might expect while we are paying into it, as many who have had the experience of trying to attain it (LTD) because of illness or other disablitating reason can attest.
Here's hoping that you will be reimbursed for you anxiety as well as lost income.
Posted October 11, 2009 07:55 AM
Matt Innes
There is something wrong with our bankruptcy laws. These kinds of obligations should be the very first thing taken care of.
Posted October 18, 2009 03:08 PM
brokenclay
Dear Jackie: It seems most insurance companies make it difficult for their customers to collect. My wife years ago needed her insurance company to make payments on a loan. They said no. She stood up to them and pushed to make them comply with there own conditions. It's too bad we have to get a lawyer sometimes to make these people do their job. Looks like you have 408 others to back you up with a class action suit. Would like to know what happens. If possible via email for facebook or your own column on CBC.ca. Blessings to you and your family.
Posted October 19, 2009 01:52 AM
Joel
Toronto
Jackie, your story tears at my heart. I send positive to you, and benevolent wishes for the best that may be.
Above and beyond your specific story, your relationship to Nortel, and the international intrigue that its dissolution creates questions about, is the story of how corporate priorities are superseding citizens' priorities, most notably, quality of life.
This is a trend that has been most recently accelerated by the current government, which promotes policy favouring the top percentile of campaign contributors, i.e. the largest corporations.
The role of the government is supposed to be maximizing the long term quality of life for the citizens. The current government is as far away from this as any Canadian government, ever!
Every one of us, every citizen should be demanding a change to the system of government so this injustice is not possible.
You should take the feedback from here, and publically correspond with your member of parliament and the Prime Minister to find out what they are going to do about this injustice. If you do, I am interested to know how it goes.
I send positive and hope for your happiness.
Posted October 21, 2009 11:56 AM
Brian Poncelet,CFP
Oakville
The story of Nortel is sad especially for people on disability insurance. This reminds me of Eaton's when disabled employees were left high and dry.
The solution is before the company gets in trouble and while you are healthy get your own disability policy.
Most company plans (if any one reads the fine print) are good for about two years. Read Gail Vaz-Oxlade.com blog I wrote about a year ago on. The best time to have insurance is before you need it.
Posted October 22, 2009 08:31 PM