Two Companies, Different Benefits Handling

tracey

I manage everything - accounting through HR - for two aviation companies, 50 employees each. Same location, shared office and hangar space, same officers, etc. One company has a 50% copay on health, the other is non-contributing(based upon an automotive contract that includes paid bennies). Makes for
much grumbling among employees. I can't see any statute here in Michigan
that makes this illegal, but does anyone have any suggestions for
handling the complaints? Could an additional benefit be offered to the
contributing company employees to offset this perceived inequity?
Thanks for your thoughts, tb

skyrocket

Normally, ERISA governs health benefit plans. ERISA is federal and dictates how benefits are offered. ERISA (as concerns health plans) does not have a requirement of equal benefits for different classes of employees or sister companies. ERISA law applies only after benefits are offered and addresses issues other than the original provision of benefits.

If you cannot find any state law addressing this issue, it would default to ERISA.

System

As far as offering the other company additional benefits, that should be based on that company's affordability. And if that company can afford to do something, then perhaps you could reduce the co-pay. Otherwise, it is what it is.