Employer-paid Health Insurance

[Guest oriole]

I work for a small company (three employees total as of now; up until last May there were four). The owner pays for the health insuance coverage of everyone except me; he deducts the full cost of my coverage from my paycheck. I am a full-time employee, and have worked here for almost five years. The only difference that I can tell between me and the covered employees is that I'm female and they're male.

I'm in the state of Michigan; anyone know if it's legal for an employer to pay for some employee's coverage, and not others? Does there have to be a specific criteria for excluding some employees (i.e. part-timers, clerical staff, etc)?

Thanks for any input.

[mbozek]

The only criteria for review is sex discrimination. I am assuming that there is no business reason for not providing you with insurance. I would call the state agency in Michigan (Human Rights, EEO) that has jurisdiction over sex discrimination to see if you have a claim. However, if the state agency investigates you may be in for a difficult time at work.

[GBurns]

Without arguing or insinuating discrimination etc is possible for you to find out from the owner/CEO/President why you do not get health insurance?

As it stands, it might be said that you never requested it. Also some of the first things that any regulatory agency will ask are Who told you that the others get it? Have you asked for it? What were you told?