Brent’s Story

Brent (his name has been changed in the hopes of preventing retribution) had been working for what is now AT&T for over 25 years.  He is highly respected and is very good at his job.  He was also very athletic playing basketball several times a week and was in excellent physical condition.  His attendance record was excellent as were his performance appraisals.

One day (he was in his early 50’s) Brent had a stroke.  It was most likely caused by a blood clot breaking free and causing part of his brain to be starved of blood.  He was left physically devastated, and among other things, unable to walk or talk.

Brent’s recuperation was long and grueling.  He went to therapy virtually every day for months.  Slowly Brent was able to relearn to walk, talk, and do things some thought he’d never do again.  This was nothing short of a miracle.  As time went on, the thought of returning to work became more and more of a possibility.  In fact, after he had been out 10 months, pushing himself beyond normal human limits day after day, it became increasing clear that he would soon be able to return to work.

At this time, Brent’s family was having some major family events and Brent, his family, and his doctor’s believed that Brent could not only to travel to adjacent states for these events, but that it would help in his rehabilitation.

So Brent, the ever obedient employee, knowing of the travel restrictions in the AT&T Disability Plan, contacted his “case manager” and requested “permission” to travel to these family gatherings.  One would think that AT&T, eager to have a valuable employee return to work would jump at the chance to “help” in his speedy recovery by allowing him the physical challenge and emotional boost of these short trips to be with his family.

Think again.  Brent was told that his “benefits would be jeopardized” if he joined his family and attended these family gatherings.  Like most employees covered under the plan, Brent was dependant on his benefits to sustain his family while he recovered.  He was the “breadwinner”.  Although he had been eligible for full pay during his recovery, his family still had to cut back and make sacrifices because of the portion of his extensive medical bills that were not covered by insurance.

Facing the loss of his benefits if he made these trips, Brent chose not to join his extended family at these events.  So, just like others have been, he was held in “virtual house arrest”.

Brent did, shortly after missing out of being with his family for these important events, return to work.  He still isn’t able to do all of the things he could do prior to his stroke and he does have a slight speech impediment now, but he’s a heck of a lot better off than some that have suffered a stroke like his.

I think we can all thank Sedgwick CMS and AT&T making what can only be considered a very difficult period in Brent’s life, a bit more difficult.

This “you can’t travel policy” of AT&Ts is unconscionable.  What does AT&T have to gain by holding sick and disabled employees under house arrest?  Maybe they’ll respond to the question after reading this.