Benefits

Hi Evil HR Lady. It's so funny that you call yourself that; I used to work in HR and always felt perceived that way. We never have good news!

I'm writing to you with a question that seems to have no GOOD answer depending on the research I've done...and one that I have NO experience with.

I was working for a company. I got sold to a new one and then got leased back to the old one. Result? I've been considered a "contractor" with no benefits.

Nearly ten months later, I am about to be eligible for benefits according to the standards for freelance (or Project-Based) employees. November 1st is the beginning of the eligibility period. I have written to HR with my questions, so I can be ready for this date and not miss a chance to qualify for benefits.

Here is my question: What are the alternatives for someone when HR does not respond to questions regarding benefits? The benefits administrator is notoriously unresponsive, and yet, there seems to be nothing we can do! This can't be right. When it comes to money matters, the labor board can intervene. But when it comes to benefits, who makes sure that HR is doing their job? Who can I turn to for help? What are my alternatives?

Earlier this year, her unresponsiveness cost me the opportunity to accept my COBRA, and therefore made choosing a personal insurance provider more difficult and costly. I don't want to lose my chance this time around; I am entitled to these benefits, and want to make sure I get them.

What can I do?

Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

As with just about everything, it's not what you know, it's who you know. (Or in your case, it's not the substance of the question, it's who is doing the answer.)

Our benefits person is supposed to respond to my questions within 48 hours. Ummm, that doesn't happen. So, if I truly need an answer faster than 3 weeks, I have to cc not only that person's boss, but their boss's boss. (If I just cc the boss, she doesn't check her e-mail and I think her slacker minions know that, so it's not enough of a threat.)

The sad part is, the boss's boss doesn't really believe there is a problem, because if he's cc'd on an e-mail, I'll get a response within an hour.

What you have to do? Find the right person to ask and the right person to do the asking. The higher up the food chain the question asker is, the more of a chance of a response. This is sad, but true. You didn't get a response. Ask your boss to ask the question. If she doesn't get a response, ask her to ask her boss.

In the mean time, ask around and find out who the real problem solver at the company is. There is one--trust me. Once you find this person, your life will be blissful.

(And people, it is worth it to find that magical problem solver person. He or she can be lurking somewhere you'd never expect. I, for instance, can get a boat load of things fixed, not because of my current position, but because in a previous position I had a great relationship with the right people. I'm valuable to the average employee, but most people don't know that, because it's not in my current job description.)

I hope you get you benefits straightened out.