Legal Question in Employment Law in Illinois

Hello,

My employer recently decided to change health, dental and vision insurance plans. And without our consent decided to charge the employees a yearly "Benefits Administration Fee" for each benefit you enroll in. They say these fees are minimal and are to assist in the maintenance and administration of their benefit program. The fees are paid one time per year at open enrollment. And the said that the fees go back to the company...not the insurance brokers.

Are they allowed to charge back employees for this? I would have figured that was part of HR's job responsibilities to control the employee benefits. Also, if they are going to take money out of our check without asking us shouldn't we have had a say in the matter or what insurance to research? Shouldn't they have asked us up front that we'd like them to research and administer our benefits?

I've been with them for a year and a half now and have had benefits with them since the beginning, this seems like a breach of employment contract.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you for your time.


Asked on 5/27/10, 12:42 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Betty Tsamis Tsamis Law Firm PC

Your employer can change the benefits it offers so long as it provides you with notice of the changes. You are not entitled to be involved in the process of choosing which plans the company will select to offer. You mentioned breach of contract---Do you have an actual employment contract? If so, does it address this issue?

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Answered on 6/10/10, 4:51 am


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