Business & Tech

Trader Joe's Kicks Part Timers Off Healthcare Plan

In a memo obtained by the Huffington Post, the grocery chain said it will give workers $500 to help find a plan under Obamacare's coverage exchanges.


Trader Joe's, the grocer once lauded for providing health care coverage to its part-time workers, is about to push those employees off its plan. 

The popular store operates stores in Montgomery Village, Rockville, Bethesda and Silver Spring.

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According to a memo obtained by the Huffington Post, the company will stop covering employees who work less than 30 hours per week.

The change is set for the start of 2014. Instead of insurance, workers instead will get a check for $500 in January. 

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"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," said Trader Joe CEO Dan Bane in the memo.

Companies with more than 50 employees are required to provide health insurance under Obamacare. Trader Joe's full-time staff will still get their company-based insurance. 


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