Woman loses benefits over Facebook pics

I found yet another article about someone who used poor judgment when posting pictures on Facebook and is now upset over the consequences.

Natalie Blanchard was on sick leave from work for depression. She was receiving insurance benefits while on leave. She now plans to fight her insurance company's decision to cut those benefits after viewing pictures Natalie posted on Facebook.
Natalie had been diagnosed with major depression and was receiving monthly sick leave benefits until they stopped coming last fall. When she tried to find out why, she was told that Facebook photos showed she was able to work.

The pictures in question show Natalie having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a holiday. Manulife, her insurance company, says these photos are evidence that she is no longer depressed.

Natalie's lawyer says that she was wrongfully dismissed from her benefits and that she had the right to take a sunny vacation. He says that the real issue is that her benefits were stopped without proper medical recommendation and that her doctor had suggested she take a vacation.

Blanchard took three four-day trip when she was feeling especially down, on the advice of her psychiatrist.

Manulife didn't offer comment on the case but says that the company would not terminate benefits solely based on information published on websites like Facebook.



I am getting a little tired of all of these people who post pictures and info on sites like Facebook- for all the world to see, it's the internet- and then get upset when there are repercussions.

I don't think it was wise for Natalie to post those pictures. She's on sick leave and receiving monetary benefits for it. Probably not the best idea to post vacation pictures that show her having the time of her life.

The pictures described would make me question how sick she truly is too. Yes, her doctor recommended a vacation but something tells me he might not have had a strip club in mind. I'll bet he was thinking more along the lines of a spa weekend.

I'm not saying she can't fight her depression in whatever way works for her. If it's male dancers, then so be it. Just don't be so surprised when someone sees the pictures and questions your judgment.

I will say that I think the insurance company was a little hasty in terminating benefits, although there could be extenuating circumstances since they declined to comment.

I think the better course of action would have been to contact Natalie and require an updated evaluation from her doctor to determine if she was ready for work yet. Then, if she refused for some reason, they would have better grounds for stopping payment of benefits.

That being said, I still think that this woman used extremely bad judgment in posting these pictures. If you want everyone to know what a good time you're having call them. Don't post photo evidence on the internet for anyone to see.