Is it ever the case that you feel like you’re “so close and yet so far” from obtaining employee benefits, even when you’re really quite close? While it’s likely that full-time workers at your firm are eligible for perks like paid time off, a 401(k), and medical care, your employer may define “full-time” as working 30 hours per week, and you’ve never been allowed to work more than 29.
This happens rather often. Despite advocating for rewards for workers who get more than a certain number of hours, it seems that these same companies urge managers to limit the amount of hours that many employees are permitted to work. So finally, how many hours do you need to work to get benefits?
What to do if you don’t have enough time:
Your employer is not breaking any laws by keeping you at a wage that is just below the benefit eligibility threshold. However, if any of the following situations describe your situation, you may have legal recourse:
They have broken an agreement they made with you: When you were being interviewed, did it come up that you’d get enough hours to qualify for health insurance? Or, do you agree to work a certain number of hours each week as part of your contract? If this seems like the case, it’s important to let your boss know that you expect the agreement to be upheld. You should definitely see a lawyer about your legal possibilities if they continue to refuse to increase your working hours.
As a unionized worker, you are entitled to the following benefits
If this is the case, you and your colleagues may have established a contract that specifies things like benefits and hours of work. Talk to your union official about this, please.
If none of the above descriptions apply to you, your best option is to talk to your coworkers. Is there anybody else having this problem? If this is the case, a group of workers could want to talk to upper management about how convincing them to reduce benefits is not the best way to balance the company’s budget would be helpful. In most situations at work, your boss has the upper hand, but by addressing him or her in a group setting, you may level the playing field for yourself and your coworkers. Furthermore, in the vast majority of private sector enterprises, U.S. labor law is likely to protect two or more workers who act jointly to address a workplace problem. except if you whine about your job to no one except yourself, that’s not the case.
Conclusion
Even if you’re the only worker at your company who wants to cut down on hours, you should still bring it up with your superior. Use their sense of justice to your advantage. Be prepared to make a case for your job performance, and don’t forget to provide proof. It’s possible that your boss will be willing to increase your hours if he or she sees you as an integral part of the team and does not want to lose you.
