The company I work for gave us a "2007 Tobacco Affidavit". We "MUST complete and return this form by November 22, 2006 or an additional contribution of $14.42 per week will be charged for your medical coverage in
2007".I don't use tobacco and don't plan to throughout 2007, so I should just fill out and sign the Affidavit, Right?
Under "Authorization and Acknowledgment" it says "I understand that by signing this Affidavit, I am authorizing any payroll deductions required based on the information supplied by me above. I certify that the information on this form is true and correct."
If they are going to take the $14.42 per week for not signing this form, why do they need us to sign to authorize these payroll deductions?
Anyway, the next part is the kicker.. "I understand and agree that XXXX reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend or terminate -in whole or in part- these benefit plans at any time without approval, consent, or acceptance of participants. This reservation applies to all active and retiree benefit plans including all medical and prescription drug plans and includes the right to change contributions and available benefits."
This company has taken benefits and/or pay nearly every year for many years now. The plant is old enough now that it's getting several retirees. Is signing this about the Tobacco usage or giving them permission to terminate our benefits whenever they want?
I agree that I am tobacco free and will remain so through 2007. But I don't agree with the part about them terminating my benefits.
So, I either sign or get an additional $14.42 per week taken out of my pay.
Last year we got a 10% pay cut, our employee medical contribution went from ~$40/month to ~$200/month, our pension plan was eliminated... Some employees figured out that they took approximately 23% from us. I don't like signing a form stating that I agree with them reserving the right to terminate our benefits, because they probably will.
Also, others are questioning the legality of penalizing tobacco users for something they do outside of work that is legal.
Any good advise would be appreciated, I'm already keeping my eye out for a different job, they're kind of scarce around here.
Thanks!