Compensation For Declining Healthcare Plan
The company I work for compensates several male employees who do not choose to participate in the medical insurance plan at a rate of $2 per hour (they are covered under their spouse's plans). I and another woman in the office are covered under our spouse's plans but are not offered the same compensation. I was told this by the payroll manager, as well as by one of the men who is receiving this compensation. However, this is also a BIG secret which, if questioned, would no doubt cause immediate firing. Is this discrimination and is this actionable?
1 answer | asked Jan 25, 2008 08:08 AM [EST] | applies to Ohio
Answers (1)
Discrimination in compensation
This sounds like simple sex discrimination. However, you have a delicate concern, about learning this through "confidential" information about the compensation of other employees. The most cautious thing is to consult an attorney before making a move.
The payroll manager arguably told you confidential information about other employees. But I think the male co-worker should have the right to tell you about his compensation if he wants to do so. However, if your employer has a written policy that no one is talk about their own compensation (a common policy), then you buy extra trouble for yourself or your co-worker by pointing out that someone has shared this information.
If you want to just start getting the same for yourself and the other woman in the office, try naively asking the human resource manager whether the company pays compensation in lieu of healthcare coverage. Maybe, just maybe, the answer will be, "Oh sure, did we forget to give you that?"
If you want to push the point, hire an attorney to help you.
posted by Nancy Grim | Jan 25, 2008 5:08 PM [EST]
This sounds like simple sex discrimination. However, you have a delicate concern, about learning this through "confidential" information about the compensation of other employees. The most cautious thing is to consult an attorney before making a move.
The payroll manager arguably told you confidential information about other employees. But I think the male co-worker should have the right to tell you about his compensation if he wants to do so. However, if your employer has a written policy that no one is talk about their own compensation (a common policy), then you buy extra trouble for yourself or your co-worker by pointing out that someone has shared this information.
If you want to just start getting the same for yourself and the other woman in the office, try naively asking the human resource manager whether the company pays compensation in lieu of healthcare coverage. Maybe, just maybe, the answer will be, "Oh sure, did we forget to give you that?"
If you want to push the point, hire an attorney to help you.
posted by Nancy Grim | Jan 25, 2008 5:08 PM [EST]
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