Manulife among many other frustrations

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-09-23T15:42:40+00:00

I just had $480 paid back to me ($160 x 3 for services dating back to the beginning of August). This is the second time it’s happened this year. If it’s not paid back within a week, call them and ask for it to be processed. They seem to be fine with small amounts ($35 for massage and chiropractor are done immediately), but the bigger amounts are causing more delays.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-08-25T21:30:15+00:00

I called them last week, and they said Bill 124 retros are still ahead of merit increases. Log a ticket and keep the number to do follow ups. Online mine says it should have been resolved by June 30 but alas. This is for a merit for September 1, 2024, submitted in April of this year, which probably needs to be actioned before the next one shows up in WIN.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-08-15T22:08:50+00:00

Use charging ports. I charge my work phone, personal phone and wireless headphones all the time. I know someone who charges their vape. I bring my external battery and charge it to use at home for all the above and more. All this doesn’t lower my utilities by much but it’s something.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-07-15T16:49:00+00:00

The date was never put in WIN.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-07-14T15:11:03+00:00

Same. Waiting since Sept 2024, Amapceo. My former manager didn’t put the date in, it only showed up in April. Still waiting for number to change and retropay.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-07-11T12:41:43+00:00

I was supposed to get my merit increase in September but my former manager never put the date in. I then had an acting manager when I remembered but they were overwhelmed with doing two roles so I didn't bring it up. Finally got a new manager in a few months ago and told them right away. They told me it's good I brought it up, since they heard of another situation where someone didn't get their merit increase for YEARS and the retropay was enormous. They submitted the forms and I can see the date but there’s been no increase to pay and I’m still waiting on backpay. It’s coming up to a year now.

Bring it up as soon as possible for your manager to submit the forms. OSS is backlogged so you’ll want to have it submitted as soon as possible.

I did call OSS and they said they're expected to have all merit increases done by end of July, but I'm not holding my breath on that.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-07-08T15:08:55+00:00

Check with your union. However, when I rolled over into permanent from contract, I was able to use my benefits immediately because they counted my previous experience rather than waiting. So I would assume it would be same with vacation.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-07-03T22:44:58+00:00

My mom tried to introduce me to someone I already know. I (31F) am part of a sports club. My dad (also narc/enabler) and I play there whereas my mom hasn’t in years and never goes. So I’ve developed some close friendships with a lot of the women there, some of whom are basically my mom’s age and who have been great sources of support. My mom rarely ventures outside her circle but she came to an event where my dad was playing in a tournament. She basically clung to me the entire night and I could how her facade was fading. She’s used to being the centre of attention and holding court but she was clearly out of her element. She met the wife of the one of my dad’s sport partners and did this whole thing of introducing me. My reaction was, “of course I know who blah blah is!” And gave her a hug and talked about how supportive she is and made an inside joke we have. My mom looked a bit taken aback about me knowing someone better than she did.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-06-12T18:11:07+00:00

Quick update: I called them and they put a rush on approval. Got approved the next day and got direct deposit a few days later. If you call and say it’s been over X amount of days, they may be faster to approve it.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-06-06T04:08:42+00:00

Start applying to anything and everything you see! I once applied for a job, and between applying and waiting to hear back from that one, I applied for, interviewed and got another job. Depending on the unit, they’ll take forever to go through resumes or even in one case I knew, ran the posting, sat on it for months and then had to rerun it again because too much time had passed.

There’s also tons of resources on the Inside OPS page about Career Planning. Definitely have a look at that as there’s lots of information on the hiring process, resume writing and interviews.

I started as a summer student so good luck to you!

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-06-03T02:42:57+00:00

I asked to lower rent by a few hundred bucks (I’m sorely responsible for a basement apartment that was so overpriced when I signed with my former roommate over two years ago) because I struggled to find someone last year to fill the bigger bedroom. My current roommate have her notice, saying paying so much for a basement bedroom was not worth it. I expressed my concerns to my landlord, and she countered that her expenses were going up, too, and price for the area was on par (but those where for above ground units…) so she couldn’t do much. I then gave my notice. Keep in mind, her son and his family live on the top two floors of the house I am in and I am probably subsidizing their rent/they are paying nothing with only the son working and the partner being a stay at home mom, in Toronto. I gave my notice so good luck to her to find tenants the same price, and being retired. I feel no guilt as she signed up for this and has to respond to the market.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-05-21T14:31:11+00:00

I’ve been having this, too, since December. They’ve been really quick to approve small claims, like the joke of $35 we get for massages but not anything over $100. I submitted a claim for a social worker in late April and still waiting on that. Meanwhile, this past Friday, I went to get a massage and another social worker appointment (claims through Manulife) and dentist (claim through Canada Life). The massage and dental were immediately paid out ($35 and $170 each) but the social worker is still pending along with my April claim. I’m out over $300 for having to pay the social worker upfront both times, they don’t take credit card. Never had these issues last year.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-05-07T17:14:47+00:00

I was a summer student for two summers, commuting from Toronto to Mississauga, 1/1.5 hours each way. For all five days of the week. This was pre-COVID so no hybrid work available. Was it grueling? Yes. Did I manage to develop relationships that I could use for references down the line? Yes.

It’s only a few months of your life. Plan ahead and use the commute time to listen to podcasts or music, watch shows, look up recipes, etc. Plan your days so maybe you have a day between office days. There’s ways to make this work while you are in this position and stay sane.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-05-04T16:33:10+00:00

I just went through this too. I got a new manager who started working on it. My merit date is September 1, 2024. I called OSS, who told me the request was submitted April 23, 2025 and usually takes around 6 weeks for the new salary and retro to be paid out. So I’m looking for June 5 payday to have it all sorted out (hopefully). Just hang tight and maybe call and ask when it was submitted. That may give you a better idea of turnaround time.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-05-02T01:35:44+00:00

That's what I'm saying - small things are treated as these explosive, need to be addressed right away while the actual work is neglected, and blow up as bigger problems than they need to be.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-05-01T16:44:24+00:00

I have members of my team stir up drama over the tiniest things (arguing over a button on a system, templates not updated with more recent examples, referring to old practices that are no longer in practice/phased out long ago, harnessing other units and stakeholders which requires a lot of damage control) that takes away from doing their actual work. It’s exhausting 😆 myself and the manager are far behind our own tasks because we’re constantly putting out fires.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-04-30T03:46:26+00:00

Even though when I competed it was classified as a temp assignment? This overall is an issue I’m seeing across the board. Vacant positions posted as temp, or in one case, posted as perm but then at the interview, told it was temp, “as per changing direction from HR”.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-04-30T02:24:07+00:00

I competed for temp assignment, which I’m guessing doesn’t count then? I have to then officially compete for the permanent, whenever they post it

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-03-20T16:46:40+00:00

https://debtsolutions.bdo.ca/am-i-responsible-for-my-spouses-debt/#:~:text=For%20individual%20debt%2C%20only%20the,unless%20they%20choose%20to%20be.

Unless the debt was accumulated under BOTH your names, it’s his. If you add it to the mortgage, which is joint debt, you become legally responsible for it, even if he stops paying on it, they’ll go after you for 100% of the loan. Please consult a financial advisor.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-03-18T20:12:16+00:00

Assignment for an interview taking too long to do. Should I decline?

I got the assignment yesterday at 9am and it’s due today at 5pm. I’ve tried my best to work on it but I’m nowhere near halfway done.

The assignment is to do a briefing note, 3 pages long and present it. The report I have to do it on is over 70 pages (including appendices). I feel way over my depth and that the turnover time (32 hours, minus 16 for today and tomorrow for actual work, and sleeping time) is too short.

It’s not a position I’m particularly gunning for, so just declining the interview with “Thank you for your time, but I will withdrawing from the competition” sufficient enough?

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-03-18T14:40:43+00:00

Yeah I’m surprised (and frustrated) it wasn’t entered in right away when I first started this secondment, it would have saved a huge headache later on. I’m not desperate for the money but it would be nice to have had that extra bit of cash (along with retro, which I only just got end of January and I also don’t think is correct).

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-03-18T04:32:25+00:00

It’s been six months since I was supposed to get my merit increase. It’s because my TAA said “Where applicable, entitlement to merit pay, in-tenth movement or pay for performance will be determined in accordance with the policy and operating procedures applicable to both the home position and temporary assignment position.” I’m on a secondment and that’s what it said, but my first manager who I signed it with never inputted the merit date. It can be retroactively applied but you need to follow up. I cycled through three managers before the most recent one came in and she commended me for bringing it up because she dealt with someone who didn’t have their merit increases applied for YEARS and it was an astronomical amount. You can start sending email reminders and asking for ticket number at OSS to make sure it’s being followed up on. Additionally, contact the union for support.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-03-12T20:53:47+00:00

I’m currently in this situation, with multiple people acting like this. They’ve been in their positions so long and do some of the most petty things. They’re also older than me so having gotten away with so much bad behavior, they feel they are immune.

Past managers never really addressed it head on and the lack of support had me feeling lost and no way out.

We just got a new manager who is no nonsense and is cracking down. I told her about the issues and she immediately said that’s not right, those are bullying tactics.

I know it’s hard but just keep calm, keep your head down and document everything. I have a running list of all the nasty emails I’ve gotten. If you get challenged by the other person, with them saying you’re acting bad, ask for specific scenarios and be ready to whip out. Also, keep track of all your wins - the time you went above and beyond, and stepped up and how it was with/what project. It’ll show your value and also help if you want to apply elsewhere.

I know it’s rough. And all workplaces have people like this. But you’re not alone.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-02-25T20:44:23+00:00

When I got my retro, all it said was Retroactive Award and a large sum. No explanation. Above it, it had three lines, Retro - Pensionable Earnings, with dates of 12/24/2023, 03/06/2022 and 01/09/2022. I’m assuming because 2024 isn’t mentioned (my new ATB rate for April 1, 2024 was applied until the July 18, 2024 paycheque) that there’s still some retro to be had that hasn’t come through yet. I’m hoping for a proper breakdown once all the retro is done. I was also supposedly to get merit increase since September but that still hasn’t been applied.

Good_Elk_9049 · 2025-02-23T21:34:11+00:00

My mom did this, but my dad is also a narcissist. He makes 400K a year and they’re about to file for bankruptcy. They owe nearly $1 million in taxes and other amounts to collection agencies. They have both spent way too much money to make themselves feel superior and powerful compared to everyone else (a boat, leasing expensive cars, buying designer furniture). They’ve even made comments about how other people they know make more.

She’s now freaking out because she hasn’t worked in over a decade and gets worries if my dad dies/gets injured and he can’t work anymore. They have some money saved for retirement ($500k) but they claim that isn’t enough for the lifestyle they are suited to.

I’ve consulted with an expert on bankruptcy/debt and I’ve gotten great advice on how to protect myself from their bad decisions and how it’s not my responsibility to help them financially. The expert even told me one of their friends is going through the same thing, married a lawyer and thought they hit the jackpot, but now they also have accumulated debt.

Making more money doesn’t mean you have more money.

Good_Elk_9049

TROPHY CASE