Now ya got it, now ya don't. That's what happened to health coverage for part-timers at iconic retailer Trader Joe's.
In a memo leaked to the Huffington Post, TJ CEO Dan Bane informed those working fewer than 30 hours who had health coverage through the company that those days would soon be over.
The Trader had been among those retailers who offered part-time workers some health benefits. Now, it has joined the ranks of retailers and other large employers that are pointing to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as the reason they are altering their benefits philosophies.
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Trader Joe's told affected workers that they will be able to obtain insurance on the Obamacare exchanges next year, according to a confidential memo from the groce's chief executive.
"In the memo to staff dated Aug. 30, Trader Joe's CEO Dan Bane said the company will cut part-timers a check for $500 in January and help guide them toward finding a new plan under the Affordable Care Act. The company will continue to offer health coverage to workers who carry 30 hours or more on average," Huffington reported.
"Depending on income you may earn outside of Trader Joe's, we believe that with the $500 from Trader Joe's and the tax credits available under the ACA, many of you should be able to obtain health care coverage at very little if any net cost to you," Bane wrote in the memo.
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
