23 May 2023 1:30 pm
Preface...I don't like "Human Resources" departments. In most large companies (my experience), they are just a tool of Senior Management and are not there to help employees. For even thinking that, my punishment was my having to absorb the responsibilities of HR when the person who reported to me and the SVP of HR for our parent suddenly quit. Now add dealing with insurance companies. In that area, for health insurance, we have a policy that only legal dependents and spouses can be covered. Like almost everyone, making changes to who is covered during the plan year requires a "qualifying event" (adoption, birth, death, marriage, etc.).
This week I had an employee came in and request an insurance enrollment form. He said "He and his fiance finally got married". I gave him the form and told him we needed a copy of the marriage certificate. I just now had the union rep come in (on his behalf) to talk about the request. I found out the "fiance" is actually his common law wife and they have a kid. She and the kid were covered by her insurance at her previous job. Her employer relocated and she lost her job...new employer doesn't offer health insurance benefits. The kid is easy...he is a legal dependent and the loss of coverage is a qualifying event. Add the kid, no problem. However, the wife...not so much. We don't allow coverage of common law spouses. The union rep said "Well I am a licensed minister and recognized by the state, I can marry them real quick." I told him we still needed a copy of the marriage certificate (or the license after he signed it) to add coverage. He replied, "I'll get you something".
I jumped in and said "I told you what we need. I am not telling you what you or "X" can and cannot do. I am telling you, insurance fraud is a crime and you can end up in jail if convicted of it." He just looked at me and left.
The **** you have to deal with...geez.
This week I had an employee came in and request an insurance enrollment form. He said "He and his fiance finally got married". I gave him the form and told him we needed a copy of the marriage certificate. I just now had the union rep come in (on his behalf) to talk about the request. I found out the "fiance" is actually his common law wife and they have a kid. She and the kid were covered by her insurance at her previous job. Her employer relocated and she lost her job...new employer doesn't offer health insurance benefits. The kid is easy...he is a legal dependent and the loss of coverage is a qualifying event. Add the kid, no problem. However, the wife...not so much. We don't allow coverage of common law spouses. The union rep said "Well I am a licensed minister and recognized by the state, I can marry them real quick." I told him we still needed a copy of the marriage certificate (or the license after he signed it) to add coverage. He replied, "I'll get you something".
I jumped in and said "I told you what we need. I am not telling you what you or "X" can and cannot do. I am telling you, insurance fraud is a crime and you can end up in jail if convicted of it." He just looked at me and left.
The **** you have to deal with...geez.