Marni Soupcoff (Editorial, National Post) – The Harper government’s omnibus budget bill is threatening to deny members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police access to modern medicine, leaving them to suffer alone, untreated when injured or ill. Or so you’d think from the fuss being made about proposed changes to RCMP health care. Here’s what Staff-Sergeant Abe Townsend, national executive for the Mounties’ Staff Relations Representative Program, told the Globe and Mail in an interview: “We travel in harm’s way to serve the public interest…. The quid pro quo is that if circumstances are unfortunate and we become sick or injured, we will not be left to whither [sic] on our own and the Canadian public has our back. It’s a fair exchange of trust.”
The thing is, no Mountie is going to wither by virtue of the Tories’ plan — at least no more so than any other Canadian. The idea is simply that members of the RCMP would rejoin the normal health care system in their provinces of residence, rather than being enrolled in a unique federal health-care system of their own, as they are now. Millions of dollars would be saved by getting rid of the current bureaucratic process in which Mounties essentially receive the same care as everyone else (they show up at the same hospitals and see the same doctors), but are billed as non-residents covered by federal contract, creating enormous administrative costs.
Deeming the change a “dereliction of duty” by the feds, as Jeff Rose-Martland, the president of an advocacy group called Our Duty, did on the CBC, is ridiculous. “The federal government wants to use the mounted police but not take care of them,” he said. But how is giving Mounties the same universal health coverage as every single other Canadian enjoys a failure to take care of them? Is the rule that citizens who do more for the country should be entitled to better health care than everyone else? Should Mounties and, say, Canadian Forces members be bumped up to the top of the queue any time they need a surgical procedure? What about a kidney or a lung?
If the current provincial healthcare systems aren’t good enough for federal police (which is a strange case to make anyway given that the Mounties have essentially been seeing the same providers, just under a more convoluted billing structure that doubles or triples the cost), then they’re not good enough for the rest of us either.
While no one likes change, the RCMP would be wise to quit whining about proposed cost-saving measures that would do little but demand Mounties endure the regular, everyday hassles of life. It’s not hard to see why they don’t want to start having to bank sick days (they currently operate under an uncapped sick leave system). However, ordinary Canadians are making far greater sacrifices on the altar of cost savings every day — and most of them are involved in far fewer scandals and screw-ups than the RCMP has been of late.
Want to talk about a fair exchange of trust? In short — we’ll pay the Mounties well, provide them generous benefits and entrust them with our liberty. And in exchange, they will protect us and try to refrain from: sex and drinking escapades; turning incorrect intelligence over to foreign authorities that will result in our torture; sexual harassment; misuse of internal pension money; excessive Tasering and other disgraceful conduct.
Wouldn’t that be a reasonable trade? Even without unlimited sick leave and a health-care system for the Mounties to call their own?
I’m sold.
[Source]
Hey Calvin, not too sure where you interpret my note as slamming all persons on sick leave. Quite a stretch even for you.
Viewing everybody that is on sick leave as being ODM is another gigantic leap with no foundation. don’t know where you fished that one out from either.
There are people that take advantage of things, as you should know. these are the ones I refer to that sometimes spoil good things for others. Is this something you have never heard of?
“We” can be interpreted as me and my friend(s), me and NCO’s, me and the neighbors, or whatever you like I guess to serve your purpose, something you like to do eith your interpretations.
You say “I can see an RCMP member who was on sick leave (that was justified) returning to work and being asked; “how long were you off duty mad”?”
Well I can see some getting taken and treated to lunch (last week) to acknowledge our feelings as welcome back. I am sorry you see the absolute negative when you look at someone coming back like that. Most instructive. We (the members) are not all like your fictitious example.
And where do you get off saying: “Or do you just look down on and criticize ever one with the off duty mad approach.”? Your memory is short and if you could remember past comments this is not the approach I advocate.
As far as the statement by Townsend, nice segue into MVV, but you cannot argue with me about the number of people OD for many years being unacceptable to them, (quoting only one example, how many would you prefer?) the rest of the Force, and the taxpayer. You do not like the vernacular BS? Sorry to insult your sensibilities.
Part of a supervisors job is to sort the wheat from the chaff and ensure proper treatment of employees be it operationally, administratively or personally by yourself and those in your sphere of influence.
“If you are a supervisor what actions are you taking to separate abuse of the sick leave program from legitimate situations?”
First off you should be able to remember that I am a supervisor. That has been established a number of times. Secondly there are mechanisms and systems in place to follow in that respect. They may not be perfect and are changing, however, I always assume everything is legitimate unless hard evidence to the contrary is brought forth. If you approach the situation with the members well being first, its hard to go wrong. I find absolutely nothing wrong with at some point an independent panel of medical experts to be assembled to independently assess the situation. Not sure how you can find fault with that but feel free to give it the old college try.
Couldn’t agree more with you on the training sickntired, perhaps it would reduce the kind of comments/attitudes you got upon return. My point is a structured system with INDEPENDENT medical assessment would serve the members better. If they suggest a further X amount of time before return, how can you argue that? You can provide for that like other organizations which compel adherence to the process.
You may be interested to know that E Division has purchased a computer program that they want to input a host of items such as, SBOR, taser reprts, PCMVIs, complaints for and against, internals, discipline and others. The purpose you ask? To have little red flags raised on a member when some combination of factors comes into play. What say you on that front? And before Calvin assumes I am for it, I am not, its far to Orwellian and impersonal for my taste. I think it merits conversation though.
As far as the voting thingy, really people? I am sure there are hundreds of visitors to the site, and I am sure not all of them take the time or effort to vote one way or the other. The fact that maybe 20, 30 or 40 people vote and they do not agree with you sometimes is just a fact of life. Maybe they feel that the opinions expressed mirror their own points and see nothing to be gained by repetition of them. What is next? Getting the thingy against you is harassment?
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Dont like something then off I go off duty mad or ODM as we refer to it.
LP Quote.
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Surely you are not saying that every member of the RCMP is abusing the sick leave program.
The term “We” in your statement proves my point. I see the term “We” as referring to the culture of the RCMP; viewing everyone who is on sick leave as “off duty mad” as you put.
I can see an RCMP member who was on sick leave (that was justified) returning to work and being asked; “how long were you off duty mad”?
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Face it we had a good system with the unlimited sick time on your honor, but in present day mindset, there is too much abuse to afford it.
LP Quote
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If you are a supervisor what actions are you taking to separate abuse of the sick leave program from legitimate situations? Or do you just look down on and criticize ever one with the off duty mad approach.
Holding individual RCMP members accountable can be done without being abusive and condescending. That’s called professionalism.
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I call BS on Townsend and his closely monitored statement.
LP Quote;
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Why would you not verbally articulate that you disagree with Townsend in a more respectfully manner other than saying “BS”? You do subscribe to the core values of the RCMP organization?
Please see core values listed below.
Recognizing the dedication of all employees, we will create and maintain an environment of individual safety, well-being and development. We are guided by:
Accountability
Respect——LP Please note
Professionalism
Honesty
Compassion –LP please note
Integrity
Well Calvin, as the old saying goes, the few can spoil it for the many. Since your time in the outfit there is a new thing called ODM. Dont like something then off I go off duty mad or ODM as we refer to it. how about the person who just seem to be ill on the last of the 2 12 hour night shifts? How about if you are off for 4 years with a bad back being paid for at taxpayer expense? Maybe you should find another line of work or get pensioned out if you cant do policework and there is no end in sight to your back problems. My personal favorite is the member who cannot work in any area that uniforms could be present. To upsetting and stressful. Some doctor actually signed off on that. ODS 3 years. Think they will be back?
Other big organizations have finite sick days and even some government departments to. Its kind of standard. 1 to 1 1/2 days per month. along with short term ODS with a transition to long term disability after 2 years of the public dime. Some organizations allow you to accumulate and get paid out when you retire and some dont.
Friend of mine in a govt department had 2300 hours of sick time and was not able to cash it in. Co-worker retired with zero but was hardly ever really sick and felt his 1 1/4 days a month were entitlements so he took them regularly. Fair? You tell me. Whats wrong with that? Face it we had a good system with the unlimited sick time on your honor, but in present day mindset, there is too much abuse to afford it.
I think the public who are footing the bill do not like to see people off work for years being paid full pull without any built in outside medical panel examination some where in the mix. Other organizations have the short term 2 year rule, followed by long term disability which includes determination of further entitlement by an independent medical panel of experts. So why not us?
I call BS on Townsend and his closely monitored statement. How closely was the famous 19 year ODS member monitored? Insurance companies dont allow that when you are on long term disability on their dime.
Again I call BS on your rampant statement.
Off Duty Mad is hardly a recent phenomenon. The term was certainly around over 30 years ago when I left Depot. And its true that a few can spoil things for the many – just look at Depot where the whole troop was punished if one person stepped out of line. You are always, in any organization, going to get people who abuse the system.
Here’s the problem – how does it help matters when supervisors assume that all members who are ODS are milking the system and treat them accordingly? Each case has to be assessed individually. If that doesn’t happen the organization just ends up losing good people while keeping the ones that are in fact abusing the system. How does it make any sense to penalize everyone based on the actions of a few? That’s not logical, not fair and not smart management practice. Its short-sighted, stupid and does harm to individuals and to the organization.
One of the problems with mental illness is that unless you’ve been there its really, really tough to understand what’s its like. Often if you talk to members who have no experience of the problem and the way the RCMP treats the ill you’ll find that they are dismissive of members who are long-term ODS for mental injuries. Members who have been or are mentally injured tend to hold the opposite view.
It’s not hard to see why they don’t want to start having to bank sick days (they currently operate under an uncapped sick leave system)
Quote
There are some members who abuse uncapped sick days.
However never think that there are other members and in fact an RCMP culture of using uncapped sick days to keep RCMP members from returning to work.
Unless you are living on the moon incidents of harassment and discrimination are rampant in the RCMP. The RCMP members are deliberately forced into going on sick leave due stress.
Restricting sick leave days will take care of the members who abuse the process.
What about the members who cannot return to work because of on going and passed harassment that made them sick in the first place?
I can hear it now; RCMP Management saying:
“I know you are on sick leave due to stress. I know you suffer from depression and post traumatic stress disorder due to being sexually assaulted, or harassed. I know this has been confirmed by your doctor. I know that when you return to work you may be ostracized and possibly suffer the same abusive behaviour. But your sick days have been used up. Put on your uniform and go to work.
The abuse of power by supervisors cannot be ignored. The abuse of power in overseas missions are not even talked about.
(see below)
November | 2007 | Politics\’n\’Poetry
It would probably make the US Secret Service scandal look like a Sunday school picnic.
My comment may go the way of “low comment rating” but hiding the truth won’t be so easy.
Good for you, Calvin. No question that some members have abused the sick leave process but from personal experience I’ve found that the vast majority, particularly those diagnosed with one or more mental/psychological illnesses, simply want nothing more than to get better and get back to work. When I was being treated for an operational stress injury I was told by the therapist that I shared something strangely common (his term) to most of his patients (RCMP and armed forces personnel) – the desire to get back to work. We were almost all reluctant to take more time off. Part of this of course was the fear of the attitude of management to taking sick time for “mental” issues. In my office the supervisor gathered money for a gift and a card if you got pneumonia or broke an arm but for PTSD you got nothing. And when you did return to work you got “Well, at least you’re not milking this situation like most members would.” The therapist had also found (and my own experience confirmed) that we all had the belief/hope that we could get back in harness and that management would do their best to help us get back to normal. We often held on to that hope well beyond the point where it became blindingly obvious that management either could not or would not help. He had members saying that if they could just work half days, or only take a week off, or just get more sleep, they could get back to work and be OK. Eventually in the treatment processes it generally began to dawn on the members that it didn’t matter how hard *they* tried they were screwed unless management changes were made and that was unlikely to happen. Instead members returning to work are treated poorly by management which makes matters worse resulting in more sick leave resulting in more abuse … In my case my supervisor’s mishandling of my situation increased the amount of sick leave I had to take by 400% and reduced my effectiveness when I was at work. He was eventually sanctioned for it but the damage was done by then.
Instead of everyone freaking out about “unlimited sick leave” they should be insisting that the RCMP educate and train its managers to really help ill members get well and back to work. THAT is something that would cut the amount of sick leave way down.
As for the thumbs-down people: its really easy to click a button to register your disagreement. Clearly its much more difficult to actually type out a reasoned argument.
Budget bill to upend RCMP health care
Daniel LeBlanc, Globe and Mail
Ottawa
May. 21, 2012
When young Canadians join the Mounties, one of their first orders of business is to cut up their provincial medical card and join the national police force’s special health-care system.
However, a provision in the Harper government’s omnibus budget bill would bring RCMP officers back into the Canadian health-care mainstream, with services overseen by the provinces. The legislative change in Bill C-38 heralds a series of other modifications to the health and benefits package offered to Mounties, including sick leave, the employee assistance program and disability leave.
The RCMP argues the changes will save at least $25-million a year in administrative and health-care costs, and will improve on a system that is increasingly “costly and complex.”
“Under the current system, regular members are billed as non-provincial residents, which can often double and sometimes triple the cost of their treatment,” the national police force stated in an internal memo to its staff.
However, the overhaul is causing anxiety among RCMP rank-and-file, who feel they deserve the best treatment in exchange for putting their lives on the line. In a recent meeting with Commissioner Bob Paulson, the group that represents these Mounties expressed their “grave concerns regarding the potential clawback.”
Staff-Sergeant Abe Townsend, national executive for the Staff Relations Representative Program, explained in an interview that the Mounties deserve top-notch care, given their law-and-order responsibilities at postings all over Canada.
“We travel in harm’s way to serve the public interest,” Staff-Sgt. Townsend said. “The quid pro quo is that if circumstances are unfortunate and we become sick or injured, we will not be left to whither on our own and the Canadian public has our back. It’s a fair exchange of trust.”
While some of the changes are being accepted, the RCMP is facing a tough battle as it tries to change a cornerstone of the current system, namely an uncapped sick leave system based on medical need.
“In the current fiscal environment, it is very hard for taxpayers to accept that police officers get unlimited sick leave,” the internal RCMP memo stated.
The Staff Relations Representative Program, which represents the interests of RCMP officers (who cannot form a union by law), said there are a number of unanswered questions about the proposed modifications.
Staff-Sgt.Townsend insisted that sick leave is not unlimited. He said the system is carefully monitored in order to bring back Mounties on the job, based on their physical and mental abilities.
He said that creating a sick-leave bank would constitute a major shift in the force, with some employees potentially hiding injuries to continue accumulating sick days, for example.
“The big concerns for ours members is the unknown,” he said. “Will there be a cash-out provision? Would that encourage me to work while I’m sick? The shift in psychology is important.”
The RCMP is aware of the objections among its officers, and is engaged in discussions to determine how to implement thorny matters such as the sick-leave bank.
Chief Superintendent Gilles Moreau defended the thrust of the ongoing changes, saying they will allow the force to concentrate on its core mandate.
“The RCMP is in the policing business,” he said. “The health-care business is for health-care professionals.”
He added the goal is to improve on current health-care services to Mounties. “The objective is to make sure that when members get sick, we take care of them so that they can come back healthy and more rapidly,” he said.
The RCMP is also planning to transfer the force’s employee assistance program into the federal government’s regular stream, where it is overseen by Health Canada. The organization is pointing out that the Mounties will benefit from the same services as officials at National Defence and Correctional Services, but some rank-and-file Mounties prefer the current system, overseen internally.
“The peer-to-peer program has served us well,” Staff-Sgt. Townsend said. “Going to a 1-800 number hasn’t been received well at all.”
The RCMP is also planning to outsource its disability case management, once again sowing fears that an outside entity will determine when and how Mounties come back to work. The change is fuelling the overarching concern within the Staff Relations Representative Program that medical services will be overseen by for-profit entities, instead of being adapted to the unique needs of RCMP officers.