I have a question for an HR/Benefits Expert

[Dax]

I work for a staffing agency. The terms of the contract I am in state my agency must provide the OPTION of medical benefits, I can choose to take or leave the option.

Well the person in charge has been dragging her feet on getting the info out to us. She out of the blue a few days ago sprung a meeting with the insurance rep. Thats all well and good, but the problem is the time she scheduled the meeting. She has it scheduled for 7pm, next Wed...She is making this a MANDATORY meeting, meaning if we dont show, we dont get medical...Is this allowed?

Some backstory. I have a 45-1hr commute to the airport itself, then another 30MIN to get from the parking to my job location. My hours are 6a-2:30p. Going home and coming back is not feasible, and staying from 2:30p-7p(all unpaid, INCLUDING the meeting) is also NOT gonna work. She offered to change my scheduel(without knowing ANYTHING about my full duties) which has not even been cleared by my supervisor and honestly is not possible as I have a reason to be there at 6a to run reports.

I have been told she can legally NOT do this. She has to furnish me the paperwork if I ask, and it is my problem if I refuse the meeting...Anyone know if I have a leg to stand on here? I will not risk the work I am doing for the employer just for some benefits I may not even take. I work on a major airport contract that is about to go live in a few days, and my work is pretty important to them.

 

[ferrytale]

I don't think they can legally NOT offer you the insurance just for not attending the meeting. I have done benefits admin at 2 SMALL companies, but haven't ever had this issue. I don't even make my open enrollment meetings mandatory - only stress that if they want the most Good luck!

 

[Dax]

I don't think they can legally NOT offer you the insurance just for not attending the meeting. I have done benefits admin at 2 SMALL companies, but haven't ever had this issue. I don't even make my open enrollment meetings mandatory - only stress that if they want the most Good luck!

She is now claiming it is required by FL that the rep offer it to us together, or she gets fined...I have NEVER heard of this...she must think I was born yesterday..in every other job I have had, they mailed me the stuff in the mail...I never met with ANYONE!

 

[dis-happy]

She is now claiming it is required by FL that the rep offer it to us together, or she gets fined...I have NEVER heard of this...she must think I was born yesterday..in every other job I have had, they mailed me the stuff in the mail...I never met with ANYONE!

Turn the tables. Ask her to arrange to conference you in via laptop or phone. Personally, she sounds nuts to me. Long ago I worked at a temp agency and we were allowed to join their group insurance after logging so many hours. The information was very upfront. GL

 

[Hillbeans]

I agree - I have worked through a temp office recently and I was given paperwork from the start however my DH has insurance so I never took the next step in the process.

Do you know the insurance carrier and can you google them on-line or call their customer service to ask their policy about you joining the plan?

If you need benefits that badly i'd just find some way to attend the meeting. There won't ever be a time that is convenient for everyone - while it's not the norm there were times i've had to attend meetings for my job outside of normal circumstance.