Woman loses benefits over Facebook pics

Woman loses benefits over Facebook pics

BROMONT, Quebec – A Canadian woman on long-term sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits because her insurance agent found photos of her on Facebook in which she appeared to be having fun.

Nathalie Blanchard has been on leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, for the last year.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Saturday she was diagnosed with major depression and was receiving monthly sick-leave benefits from insurance giant Manulife.

But the payments dried up this fall and when Blanchard called Manulife, she says she was told she was available to work because of Facebook.

She said her insurance agent described several pictures Blanchard posted on Facebook, including ones showing her having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a sun holiday.

Blanchard said Manulife told her it's evidence she is no longer depressed. She's fighting to get her benefits reinstated and says her lawyer is exploring what the next step should be.

Blanchard told the CBC that on her doctor's advice, she tried to have fun, including nights out at her local bar with friends and short getaways to sun destinations, as a way to forget her problems.

Manulife wouldn't comment on Blanchard's case, but did say they would not deny or terminate a claim solely based on information published on Web sites such as Facebook.

supposedly her account was locked, so there's no way they should have had access to her photos.

frankly, i think it's bullshit.

It might have been a co-worker who was on her buddy list to that might have gotten jealous ... I have seen that in my job with peoples my space , How my employees will tell me that this person was on line or they put this in there quote box ...

you can browse galleries if someone tags a picture and then you keep waching the pictures in that particular album...

It's common knowledge now that facebook/myspace could be watched by work, insurance, etc and it's best to close them to they don't find dirt on you. I closed my myspace account for that very reason and post minimal pics on my facebook. She deserved it really.

i deleted all my information myspace and i only have friends and family on my facebook and NO co-workers. I keep my work and personal life separate. i also block everything to friends only settings although if someone does comment on a picture than it opens it up for others to see not a friends list.

That's good practice. I have no coworkers on my list either and I'm set to extremely private.

+1 on this one... I dk how ppl list their phone numbers and everything else on there. Some dumbasses even post up their address for the love of God dude.... I post basic stuff about me but nothing personal like e-mails, phone numbers or addresses either.

Yea I used my mothers last name on my facebook that way I only have family on my friends list and a few CCC members other then that I dont keep co workers on there

my friend got fired like a week ago because of facebook..he posted something about the company that he work with...

I need to take down notes... I have a few co-workers as friends :*( I almost posted something when I called in and good thing I didnt

Thats the problem with co workers they will fuck you in the end ,,,, Cause there jealous and now a days with lay offs people trying to get other people fired to save there ass ...

It doesn't have anything to do with coworkers. They may find and point things out to the company/business, but it's all up to the boss. You can blame coworkers all you want, but the boss ultimately has the last say. Your friend was just stupid for having coworker and work related postings up there. He was just asking to get screwed.