Trader Joe's Drops Healthcare for Part-Timers

By Roberto Scalese

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 company will stop covering employees who work less than 30 hours per week.
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The change is set for the start of 2014. Instead of insurance, workers instead will get a check for $500 in January. 
"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 [Affordable Care Act (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 a memo to workers obtained by the Huffington Post.
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.

Nearby, Trader Joe's operates a store on Jericho Turnpike in Commack.