Those unsettling letters from outside auditor Chapman Kelly are stirring up Gannett Blog readers again, over GCI's demand for legal documents proving children and other dependents are eligible for company medical benefits. "I can understand the company wanting to verify, but I also have to agree that the letter sounded incredibly ominous and threatening,'' one reader says in a new comment, on an unrelated post. "In my office, people have horror stories about driving around to get birth certificates, college transcripts, and marriage licenses.''Your thoughts, in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, use this link from a non-work computer; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right.
Getting certified copies of those documents was no big deal, and they're probably a good thing to have anyway.
ReplyDeleteBut when I went to get a certified copy of our marriage license in Wisconsin, there was a note on the counter saying it was illegal to make copies of certified documents.
But that's what Gannett wants, so that's what Gannett gets.
Thanks for asking me to break the law because you don't trust me.
I had to spend money to get a copy of my marriage certificate yet I've been married over 30 years (to the same woman) and with the company over 20. And what does a 30+ year old marriage certificate prove?
ReplyDeleteI don't know about horror stories. But I was caught up in an "oversight". I really didn't know I couldn't keep my ex on coverage after my ;ast fall. I got caught up in this audit or whatever and now he's off my coverage. I wonder how many others were caught up in this similar kind of thing. When I asked HR they explained he wasn't eligible since we were no longer married but I thought I could keep him on for the year. I was wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else had the rare treat of being told they must cough up various separation and/or divorce papers?
ReplyDeleteTheir position is this: It's the only way to prove you either fathered, birthed or adopted a child, and that you have some legal obligation to provide for its support, heath care, etc
Given the number of divorced folks and blended families out there, none of you need reminging what a goldmine of extremely personal data these papers are.
Yes, "these papers."
What, you thought you could just provide the relevant passages from them?
Bwahahaha. Expect to be told the entire document is needed.
Have a great day!!!!
And why could Gannett not have given employees the option of providing these documents on site to the HR department wherever the employee is based, instead of hoping that Chapman Kelly doesn't lose these in the mail? HR can always verify that the employees submitted paperwork and then forward it on to Chapman Kelly. It would have been a much smoother process that way.
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept. Will Chapman-Kelly verify receiving the documents? (Some co-workers faxed and mailed the papers to be sure.)
ReplyDeleteAny way we can check?
I had to pay to get copies of birth certificates for my children. I asked, recieved permission, and was reimbursed by my unit for the expense.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the anon wondering why our own HR didn't just verify them. I'm uneasy giving these personal documents to strangers at some company unknown to me that sends me a letter saying Gannett wants them for insurance proof.
ReplyDeleteI had my kids' birth certificates, but even if I didn't our HR saw me pregnant with each of them and could vouch for me without all this ridiculous and expensive paperwork.
What a waste of money when they claim to be so cash strapped!!! Sure, they'll catch some mistakes, as stated, but they could have accomplished the same with so much less drama and expense.
My kids' notorized birth certificates aren't good enough for bloody Chapman-Kelly. Rejected.
ReplyDeleteI presume if my kids go to the doctor now, my insurance won't cover them. My college sophomore son's spring schedule downloaded from the university website and labeled with its web address isn't good enough proof. The copy of my canceled check to the university isn't good enough.
The worthless "customer service" woman at Chapman says I must have the university write a personal letter certifying my son is expected to enroll in the fall.
She instructed me to get a "long form" of the birth certificates from vital statistics, even though I already know there is no such thing here. The notorized birth certificates I have from vital statistics were good enough for the kids' driver's licenses, and for their passport, and for government job clearance, but somehow not good enough to satisfy Chapman.
This is beyond crazy beaurocracy. It's downright harassment.
I think it is time to go to the National Labor Relations Board.
This is the addage "Lie to somebody in the beginning and they will believe everything after" Why do you think you must prove anything to this company? Because they threatened you?! This is nothing but the same song and dance "neo-con bush ideals". You don't have to prove your kids are your own let them prove it! You volenteer to do what they say .........you give in!Why do people keep on giving up stuff for free like their rights?!!!
ReplyDelete