Correctional officer takes stress leave due to Phoenix pay issues

An Alberta correctionalofficer refusesto workuntil she receives $3,800 from the federal government and she has applied for stress leave due to continued issues withthe Phoenix pay system.

BognaBetkowski, 50,calls it a"slap in the face" to receive less than half of her usual pay overthe past month because of thepayrollmess affecting more than 80,000 federal public servants.

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She said her work, which involvesmonitoring murderers, sex offenders and gang members at a medium security prison in Grande Cache,Alta.,isn't worth the dangerif she's being underpaid.

'I could be killed ... I do not want to risk my life for the rate of pay that is reflected on my pay stub"- Bogna Betkowski, correctionalofficer

"I could be taken hostage," said Betkowski, who has been a correctional officer for eight years.

"I could be raped. I could be slashed. I could be killed...I do not want to risk my life for the rate of pay that is reflected on my pay stub."

Due to an error on herpaycheques,Betkowskisaid shebringshome thesame pay as when she arrived in Canadaas aPolish immigrant in1991. Shecleaned hotels to make a living back then.

"Goingto work for $5 or $11 dollars an hour that's not right," said Betkowski.

"That'sabsolutelyunacceptable. It's sickening. Ican't do it.Not for that kind of pay. It's just a matter of principle."

'I am dealing with insomnia'

Bethkowskisaid she first stopped working onJuly 11. She alsosubmitteda claim with the Workers' Compensation Board of Alberta to go on leave because she istoo stressed.

She hopes government officials"will open their eyes" and see thepersonal toll the payordeal istaking onpublic servants.

"I am dealing with insomnia," saidBetkowski. "I've been on prescription sleeping pills since the fiasco started. Otherwise my mind would be racing. It's the fear of the unknown. The next payday would be around the corner and who knows what I'm going to bring home."

I've been on prescription sleeping pills since this fiasco started- BognaBetkowski

Betkowskiand her prison'swarden of operations called the federalpay centre to explain the error, but they weretold Betkowski'scase wasn't apriority since shehasreceived some pay.

"I'm very angry. I'm very upset. I'm frustrated," saidBetkowski. "Life goes on outside of work. We all havebillsto pay. We all have families to take care of."

The government announced last weekthatpublic servants who haven't been paid should have their problems solved by this week. Those going on leave, retiring or taking long-term disability could see some relief in four to six weeks. Everyone should have their issues addressed between now andOct.31.

• Zoom in on the Phoenix pay schedulehere.

Toll on personal life

Another correctionalofficer in Marmora, Ont., said sheis seeing a therapist through Health Canada's employee assistance program (EAP) due to financialtroubles stemming from the Phoenix pay system.

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Sophie Smith also partly blames Phoenix forher pending divorceafter six years of marriage. Beginning in May, three consecutivepaycheques arrived for a total of $0.

"My house is sold," said Smith."I am moving Friday.Everything fell apart."

"I was so stressed I became miserable at home ... I don't handle stress well. Nobody was responding to my emails.I was crying all the time and not being able to function.I was being blamed a lot at home."

The government has now paid Smith enough money to covertwo of her paycheques. Smith saidshe isstill owed $2,000 andwants to go on stressleave, but can't afford it because she must care for an 11-year-old son andeight-year-old daughter.

I was so stressed I became miserable at home.- Sophie Smith, correctionalofficer

Two of the largest unions representing government workers told CBC News they do not know the number of public servants who have taken leave over troubles with Phoenix.The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat is looking into the numbers.

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As forBognaBetkowski, she said sheplans to returnto work the day she gets paid her full salary. Her problem could take weeks ormonths to resolve, though.

The federalgovernment expects to update federal public servants on Phoenix this week, and again after pay day on Aug. 11.

A spokeswoman withCorrections Canada also saidabout 300 emergency salary advances are issued by the departmentper pay period to address the non-payment of regular pay.

Have a story to tell? Contact ashley.burke@cbc.ca