What are my rights regarding the loss of benefits and medical coverage?
Question Details:
I've been with my compnay as a full-time 40 hour a week employee for 7 years. I have worked my way to 3 weeks paid vacation and have full paid benefits for medical. This morning the boss informed us that we will no longer have paid vacations or medical but we will still be working the same hours. Is this legal?
Employment and Labor Law Answers
As a general matter, yes, this would be legal. Companies are free to determine the compensation, including benefits, of their employees, and may reduce pay or take away benefits that employees previously had. The three exceptions:
1) If you have a contract guarantying benefits or salary, that contract is enforceable.
2) You can't be discriminated against due to your membership in a protected class or category (e.g. due to your race, sex, religion, age over 40, or disability).
3) You can't be retaliated against for having filed a protected claim (like for overtime or that you were discriminated against) or using a protected benefit (like FMLA leave).
Otherwise, though, the company may take away paid vacations and medical insurance.
Related Employment and Labor Questions
- How do I determine what my health care coverage or benefits are?
- What other benefits might I be able to get from my employer?
- Can health insurance be included in alimony?
- My spinal cord injury was due to a motorcycle accident. The other driver was at fault, but he cannot...
- I’m covered by the group disability plan of my employer. How do I determine what disability is ...
Didn't find your answer? Ask.
Top Ranking Attorneys
- Kevin Bessant434 Answers|Points 5950Gold Contributor
- Kenneth Berger36 Answers|Points 1780Bronze Contributor
- Madan Ahluwalia104 Answers|Points 1700Silver Contributor
- Harun Kazmi60 Answers|Points 840Bronze Contributor
- Hong Shen528 Answers|Points 600Platinum Contributor
- Jason Ostendorf12 Answers|Points 600Bronze Contributor
- Hong Shen528 Answers|Points 26400Platinum Contributor
- Kevin Bessant434 Answers|Points 21680Gold Contributor
- Steven Fromm113 Answers|Points 5430Silver Contributor
- Madan Ahluwalia104 Answers|Points 5170Silver Contributor
- Kelly Broadbent93 Answers|Points 4600Silver Contributor
- Glenn M. Lyon, Esq.93 Answers|Points 4530Silver Contributor
Are you a lawyer?Want to be featured here? Sign up for a free profile and get started today! Click Here