Retroactive Health Plan Deductions

[Guest Icesurfer]

I recieved this in the mail today from my HR person:

When you were hired, you were notified that a weekly employee contribution is requried for the group medical/dental coverage. We have recently discovered that group medical employee contributions are not being deducted from your paychecks. It is now necessary to retroactively make deductions to cover your contribution for your medical insurance. Your insurance when into effect June 30, 1997. The total retroactive amount is $582.30, you will see retroactive deductions of $16.60 over the next 58 weeks, along with the normal by-weekly deduction of $16.60. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

Do I have to take this ? It doesn't seem fair to me. I do not work in the main office, have never received any benefits counseling, I don't beleive anyone ever told me there were suppose to be weekly deductions, it seems like they screwed up and now I'm getting dinged.

[Larry M]

You may wish to discuss this with your employer.

Mistakes do happen with payrolls. Sometimes, an employee gets too little money and sometimes too much.

When the error is discovered, the employer tries to correct it in an equitable fashion.

If you are unhappy with what your employer is doing - consider explaining your feelings to him or her.

The employer may forgive his/her own mistake, rescind the retroactive adjustment and you become a hero to all the other employees in the same position.

On the other hand, the employer may thank you for your comments and keep the retroactive payments in effect.