Thread regarding IBM layoffs

I’m not greedy for wanting pay rise, insists IT worker off sick for 15 years

Sounds like he just guaranteed himself a place in the next RA.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/05/15/greedy-technology-worker-pay-rise-off-sick/

By: Max Stephens 15 May 2023 • 5:33pm

A gravely ill IBM worker on sick leave for the past 15 years has insisted he is not greedy for trying to sue the tech giant because they have not given him a pay rise.

Ian Clifford, a 50-year-old senior IT technician, was signed off work in 2008 for mental-health related reasons and was diagnosed with stage four leukaemia in 2012.

Under an IBM health plan, while off work he receives more than £54,000 a year, guaranteed until the age of 65.

Last year, Mr Clifford brought the tech giant to court for disability discrimination, arguing his salary had not been reviewed since 2013.

A judge threw out his claim at an employment tribunal in March, saying he had received a “very substantial benefit” and “favourable treatment”.
'It was more for my family'

Speaking publicly for the first time since the ruling, Mr Clifford said he took legal action because he wanted to provide security for his family.

“I am on chemotherapy and have been for many years and have been extremely unwell,” he said.

"Your salary affects your death in service [insurance], pension and everything else, it was more for my family.

“People may think, yes it's generous, but firstly those amounts are gross not taxed. ... I do pay National Insurance on those amounts.

“I have a son [who is] off to university. Your mortgage doesn't go down because you are sick.”

He added: "I had to use all my savings to bring this case and more and had to borrow money on a credit card… it's left me financially very vulnerable.

"People will still think it's greedy but at the end of the day, yes it's unfortunate, but that was a benefit I got with the job.”
'Legal action was a last resort'

Mr Clifford said he had spent more than £30,000 in bringing the case against IBM and doubts that he will still be alive in the next 15 years.

“My life is being curtailed, the chances of me living to 65 is highly unlikely.”

He insisted that legal action was a last resort and had always considered himself a “company man”.

Mr Clifford disclosed that he had sought a modest 2.5 per cent pay rise for his status as an employee between 2013 and 2022 and wants IBM to clarify whether they had carried out a formal salary review.

Two separate offers were made by Mr Clifford and his lawyers to IBM to settle the case before the hearing, he claimed.

He has now lodged an appeal against the ruling.

In correspondence seen by The Telegraph, IBM’s lawyers have argued there is “no obligation” for the company to increase his disability salary.

IBM declined to comment.

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Post ID: @OP+1mEyp8uf

4 replies (most recent on top)

Does he have a RED Stapler?

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Post ID: @svwr+1mEyp8uf

A salary for hours worked is different from income received for being disabled.
Unfortunately a lawyer will let you bring a lawsuit you may not win, and get paid.
Unfortunately this man believes a company is responsible for his living expenses.
Unfortunately this man has a mental health condition and cannot comprehend he is not entitled to more of a benefit just because he has received a benefit.
People on social security know that.
If this man looked at the laws for disability, he is to be provided with "reasonable accommodations". What appears to be reasonable is he's not required to come into the office or do any work since he has a terminal Illness.
15 years and his son is going to college.
15 years and cost of living has increased.
He had $30,000 to spend to sue.
He could have used a third to pay for his son's college, borrowed a third, and used a third of his continuing benefit of disability I come to pay for the son's college.
Maybe he thought he'd be dead and his son would go to college on the life insurance policy he has with the company, but we all know never count your chickens before they hatch.
On the plus side, he's still alive and enjoying his family and they have him around to enjoy if he's a pleasure to live with.
Also on the plus side he's still terminal with stage 4 leukemia and still alive.
I don't know anyone who was diagnosed with stage 4 anything that was able to live with stage 4. They usually die or are in remission.
He's his own miracle.
IBM will not terminate his employment while he's out on disabilit, that would be disability discrimination.
He's just not going to get more money for what's going on with his life.
His salary was based on his ability to perform the job.
If he goes back to work, and perfors his job, he can seek a review of the salary.
There is no review of the benefit except to continue it if he's still medically unable to work, it continues, or leaves this life and becomes unalive, it discontinues, or he returns to work and it discontinues and his salary continues.
Medical (short term/long term disability) income is paid from a different account. Salary income is paid from a different account.

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Post ID: @2hrq+1mEyp8uf

GTFOH

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Post ID: @2kin+1mEyp8uf

Judge dismiss the case

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Post ID: @1fwx+1mEyp8uf

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