Legal Question in Employment Law in Illinois

My employer sent an email stating they encouraged participation in completing a health risk assessment through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. To encourage participation, they said (quote from the email), "employees who complete the HRA will receive a $20 per month credit on their paycheck".

After a bit of hassle with BCBS saying they hadn't received it (I forwarded the screen shot that said I had), my employer caught up my credits for the first 3 months of this year ($60). After doing so, however, they are now saying the credits are added to the "flex dollars" we receive to cover the benefit options we choose for insurance, etc. I made my selections before the health risk assessment was even made available, and the options I choose left me with less than a dollar to pay per pay period - they say that is the amount they will credit me. 91 cents per pay period (twice per month) instead of $20 per month.

They have already paid $60 of the yearly $240 but are saying I will only receive $8.19 for the rest of the year. I know it's not a make-or-break amount, but is there any way short of small claims to settle it?


Asked on 7/08/10, 11:22 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Betty Tsamis Tsamis Law Firm PC

If you have the original email, I am happy to take a look at it. Your employers actions could be in violation of the Illinois Wage Payment Act which prohibits deductions from wages. Your employer made a promise to give you $20 per month on your paycheck." THat implies this amount is to be applied to your wages.

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Answered on 7/08/10, 3:51 pm


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