Disney is totally heartless!!!

[Handbag Lady]

sorry, I need to edit my profile, we moved to orlando 2 years ago. he works for central shops he repairs the rollercoasters

Is he union? Disney has different benefits for union vs. non-union. If he is union, call them right away!

 

[jadynne]

I spent all day yesterday on the phone with Meg Crofton's office. I doubt it is going to help.

 

[Buckalew11]

I, too, am very sorry about your baby. The death of a child is tragic no matter the age of the child.

I am wondering how Disney would take this thread. People have gotten in trouble at work for what has been typed her, I think. I'd be careful of that because you all certainly do not need that on top of all the heartache you are already going through.

 

[DISUNC]

My Hearfelt Condolences.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I spent all day yesterday on the phone with Meg Crofton's office. I doubt it is going to help.

No, that won't help. Those in her office do not have the training nor the tools to help you find what you need. They'll just be really nice to you and be sympathetic. You don't need that right now.

You need to go to the head of HR, the ones who deal with benefits. Ask about other benefits, tell them what you need as a Disney family. Ask them if there is a fund for this sort of thing. Ask them what others have done in your position. Ask them why it isn't clearly stated that you get less of a monetary amount due to the age of your child dying. Clearly that isn't what you thought you were paying for. Ask the hard questions calmly and in a "I'm really needing this info" manner. Try to not lose your head, as hard as that sounds.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I, too, am very sorry about your baby. The death of a child is tragic no matter the age of the child.

I am wondering how Disney would take this thread. People have gotten in trouble at work for what has been typed her, I think. I'd be careful of that because you all certainly do not need that on top of all the heartache you are already going through.

I think what she's said so far is fine, but I wouldn't go further. She's angry, and she clearly paid for a policy she doesn't (or didn't at the time) understand. She needs more answers than what she's been given and she's clearly upset.

If it were any other employer, I'd give her the same advice. Most employees don't understand their benefits and more still don't know that some major companies offer services above what is mentioned in their hiring paperwork.

 

[disney1990]

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for most insurance policies to pay substantially less than face value for a child under the age of 6 months. I think you will find this is not a Disney thing.

This is what Met Life Says:

For Your Dependent Children*
Option 1:
Child under 6 months- $1,000
Child 6 months and over- $5,000
Option 2:
Child under 6 months- $2,000
Child 6 months and over- $10,000

This is what Valley Forge Life Insurance Says:
$250 if the covered child's death occurs after his or her 14th day of
age and before his or her age of 6 months

I am so sorry for your loss.

 

[DebbieB]

The Life Insurance benefits should be spelled out in the employee handbook or benefits guide, either on paper or online. Maybe one of the other cm's on the board can confirm what's in the handbook/benefits guide to help you. It should be spelled out.

 

[MomAndrea]

I am so, so sorry for the loss of your baby boy Ethan. I hope you are able to get some answers from your DH's employer.

 

[teacups]

Newflash, Disney is a business, and are in the business of making money....PERIOD!

Geeze, have a heart!!

 

[jadynne]

Thank you,

I've spoken to hr and their response was that I should be grateful they paid anything at all because Ethan was less than 8 weeks. They also said it was like when you buy homeowner's insurance and don't get paid for a hurricane.

I've contacted a lawyer and also the local news media and cnn. I can't believe they can say my son deserves less of a proper burial or a marker. They pretend to be such a family oriented company, but when you are going through the worst thing you can go through as a parent, they kick you when you are down.

 

[pigletof4]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I know when we lost our first child, I had a rider on my life policy in case anything happened to her. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to collect on the policy as my policy stated that she had to live 11 days.

I agree that if he is union, to contact the Business Manager for his union and they will look into it. If not, HR is your best bet.

Good Luck.

 

[Magic Mom]

Thank you,

I've spoken to hr and their response was that I should be grateful they paid anything at all because Ethan was less than 8 weeks. They also said it was like when you buy homeowner's insurance and don't get paid for a hurricane.

I've contacted a lawyer and also the local news media and cnn. I can't believe they can say my son deserves less of a proper burial or a marker. They pretend to be such a family oriented company, but when you are going through the worst thing you can go through as a parent, they kick you when you are down.

They didn't say your son deserves less of a burial, they said your policy only pays 500.00. There's a big difference.

 

[hentob]

I've contacted a lawyer and also the local news media and cnn. I can't believe they can say my son deserves less of a proper burial or a marker. They pretend to be such a family oriented company, but when you are going through the worst thing you can go through as a parent, they kick you when you are down.

So sorry for your loss

But, please put the money that you will use for a lawyer towards a marker for your baby. A lawyer can do nothing for you since Disney followed the life insurance policy correctly. You will get no additional money.

You seem so hurt. I don't blame you. Is there someone that you can talk to

 

[RitaE]

oh that makes more sense. I know our company policy doesn't pay for dependent life insurance for the first 30 days. I remember reading that when my husband took the job and the Employee benefits handbook was mailed to us.

I'm very sorry for your tragedy.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Business or not I find it ludicrous that DIS'ers are actually saying that Disney is somehow OK here. The OP is absolutely correct. These slugs do anything they can to project family values and take every dollar they can from us in the name of family entertainment - but must follow the 'letter of the law' when one of their own has the worst kind of tradgey imaginable.

Shame on you folks defending Disney and shame on Disney.

I've never used this oft misguided phrase before but I will now, Walt must be rolling over in his grave.

 

[RitaE]

Business or not I find it ludicrous that DIS'ers are actually saying that Disney is somehow OK here. The OP is absolutely correct. These slugs do anything they can to project family values and take every dollar they can from us in the name of family entertainment - but must follow the 'letter of the law' when one of their own has the worst kind of tradgey imaginable.

Shame on you folks defending Disney and shame on Disney.

I've never used this oft misguided phrase before but I will now, Walt must be rolling over in his grave.

I'm really not looking to get into a debate on Corporate Responsibility concerning employee benefits on this particular thread. It seems that would be rather heartless, considering that the OP just lost her child.

I'm simply saying that her post makes more sense to me now, being that our insurance obtained through my husband's employer contains similar restrictions. After her clarification, I have a better sense of what she is experiencing.

Again OP, I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[SereneOne]

I am very sorry for your loss. I buried my Emily in 2003, luckily our church helped with her funeral costs and the cemetary had a "baby land" and it was 300 for her little coffin and plot, 500 for her marker.

I pray that you find peace and eventually joy again.

 

[MyManGoofy!]

I am so very sorry for your loss.

FYI...Disney outsources their benefits administration to a company called Hewitt. Do you know if you are actually speaking to Disney HR or to the 3rd party administrators over at Hewitt? Actually, it doesn't matter because they will both give you the run around that whatever you need is handled by the other party. (I have worked for both.)

Go straight to your husband's Union and have them use whatever resources they have to help you out. You will get no help from Disney, so I would stop banging my head against that wall.

The good news is that as bad as the company is - your husband's fellow cm's are twice as good. As someone said - call the VoluntEars and see if they can help in any way - even if it is just an employee "collection plate" to help out.

My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I am very sorry for your loss; You have suffered a tragedy at a time during which you are not only emotionally, but also physically vulnerable. Everything that you are feeling is completely normal and understood, but perhaps a counselor/pastor/trusted friend could stand by you and help you try to figure out what to do next? My thoughts and prayers are with you.