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Unequal Work Benefits

Windchime

Veteran

My position is 30 hours, and my place of employment has never provided health insurance to 30 hour employees. Recently, they reduced two full-time employees to 30 hours, and it was decided last night to grandfather in these two people's health benefts. It was also decided to continue not offering it to me or the other 30 hour person.

Evidently they can get away with it legally because of the grandfathering thing.

I'm so hurt and angry right now that it's hard to function at work. I keep telling myself that I'm no worse off than before, but still...

Thanks for letting me dump this here.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Windchime

Eliza

Veteran

Windchime- this issues haunts many people I know. Fewer full time jobs available just so employers can avoid paying benefits. Do you really work 30 hours a week? I wouldn't be surprised if it was more than that.

You are no worse off than you were before, yet that doesn't change how untenable and disrespectful that place can be. No answers here, just a lot of empathy. This mixing of jobs and health care access has some disadvantages that really hit people hard. I am sorry.

RobinF

Veteran

Ouch! I can see why you're upset. Especially when there are only two of you being excluded. That stinks.

Windchime

Veteran

I know, Eliza--truly, I think it's ridiculous that employment and health insurance are tied together--really, what on earth does one's work have to do with having access to health care???

Nebraskim

Veteran

Windchime, my heart breaks over the unfairness of this. And I completely agree that the linking of health insurance to employment is a travesty.

JAileen

Veteran

Have you thought about seeing a lawyer? Just because they said grandfathering, etc, etc, doesn't mean it is actually legal. Best of luck to you.

Windchime

Veteran

JAileen--earlier today, I called a law office that deals with employment issues. They are going to call me tomorrow. I think, based on my cursory internet research, that the grandfathering thing means they can indeed get away with it. But I want to find out for sure from an expert.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Good for you for following up with an attorney.

My husband and I are both in this situation -- and he's clearly in a full-time position, with a non-compete clause, and the requirement that he have a full PhD. (He also supervises 20 other faculty). They get away with it because their are so few positions. They've also told a colleague of DH's to "cool it" when he complained. They said he was "being watched."

Just treatment in the workplace matters for everyone. It can't heart to explore your options!

Good luck!

rachylou

Veteran

I upbraided a client once about this. Well, we had a church connection outside of work. But he said something about women staying at home with the children, and look at him, he was making it work. And I turned around and pointed out he was an engineer and asked him how many of the people in his factory, actually building product, were getting full time hours and thus benefits. Not politic, but I was mad.

He turned up two years later at my company. I like to think I shamed him into it.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Maybe this is an odd question but did you already ask the owners/managers about it at work and let them know how important it is to you?

Windchime

Veteran

Texstyle--your question is a good one and not odd at all. I generally don't complain about stuff at work, but this is over the top, and I have decided I am going to let some of the powers that be know how the decision is affecting my morale. I suspect they never considered it, precisely because I am so seldom a "squeaky wheel."

AviaMariah

Veteran

I work closely with HR at my workplace and my understanding is that with the Affordable Care Act it is mandatory to offer benefits to employees who work 30 or more hours. I'm sure the attorney's you talk to will know. I think this is federal and not state by state. This rule may be dependent on the size of the company so it's possible if you work for a smaller company the rule doesn't apply. Still, I would talk with the owners if you haven't already. It may just be that they don't realize what a big deal it is to you.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hugs of support and wishing you the very best, Windchime. Your proactive response is great. Keep us posted.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Just offering moral support. It is challenging being a workerbee inside of a company. They did that to a department of people where I work. Gave them a choice of leaving or taking a cut in hours 30hr a week down from 40 so no health care.

Sal

Veteran

I am interested how it works Windchime. Does the company pay for the health insurance, and if you don't get that then you have to fund it yourself. Is it a large company, government organisation, not for profit or small company?

We pay for health insurance for our staff (12) for our company, which is a perk. In NZ you don't have to have insurance but it does help with avoiding waiting lists or some elective procedures. We also offered it to our one part timer last year as her husband lost his job and all benefits. We were happy to do this, but our company is facing pressure on the bottom line at the moment. This is just a different perspective on it.

I also think you should find out what your entitlements are, and I also would feel disappointed if I was in your situation.

Windchime

Veteran

Thank you all so much for your empathy and wise suggestions. I wrote, and sent, a letter to my supervisor this morning, explaining the main reasons I am so hurt and angry about this. It felt good to write it--like I was being supportive of myself, if that makes sense.

The story is much longer and more complicated than I want (or should) to share in a public forum. In brief, the board was considering offering health benefits to all four of us 30 hour staff. I'm so used to not having employer provided health care that I would have been fine if they'd voted it down. I also would have been thrilled and grateful if they'd approved it.

What I never, in a million years, saw coming was that they would offer the benefit to only two of us. As I said earlier, I'm researching the legality of it.

Meanwhile, life goes on, and I'm thankful to have this supportive community. I really hope to meet some of you someday!

Windchime

Veteran

LEDONNA--Amen, sister worker bee!!! One has to periodically reevaluate whether the challenges/aggravations are worth it.

SALLY--my employer only pays for health insurance for 40 hour people (with the notable exception of the two 30 hour people whose insurance was just "grandfathered" in.) We're a nonprofit organization with a staff of about 8. Currently, three of them are full time. My husband and I have bought our own health insurance for the 15 years I've worked at this place.

What you did for your part timer whose husband lost his benefits says a lot about your kindness and generosity!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

My heart just breaks for you about this. It sounds extremely unfair. I am so, so grateful that in Canada this is not an issue for us. Health care is not tied to employment at all. People do pay for supplementary benefits and some people are not covered (and of course we also pay much higher taxes to fund this) -- but it is a huge burden relieved for so many.

Gail

Veteran

So sorry for your situation its hard to deal with such an unfair situation. I think good idea to have sent letter to supervisor they need to know how you feel. My son works 40 hours a week and has no benefits as the company doesn't have the required number of employees to make it mandatory.

Jules

Veteran

I see how this is very frustrating and unfair, but would it actually make you feel better if they took the benefit away from the other two employees? That doesn't seem like a good stance to be coming from, in terms of your negotiating power or your relationships within this very small group. If they lose the benefit you gain nothing but their rancor.
I guess it is an all-or-nothing proposal, and there is no way to split the benefits ie/ offer a lesser plan to all? Or offer you something in exchange (increase in pay)? Perhaps there is some room for negotiation there.

Windchime

Veteran

You're absolutely right, JULES--I don't want to see those two people lose the benefit. I love my work, have good regard for my colleagues, and want what's best for the organization. It's just that the situation feels so unfair to me; I haven't been able to let go of it.