Here’s a more conversational and easy-to-understand version of the article:
In 2021, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that almost all large companies (those with 50 or more full-time employees) provide health insurance to their staff. However, only about a third of smaller companies (those with fewer than 50 full-time employees) do the same. Why the difference? Well, small businesses aren’t obligated to offer health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Even among the big companies that do offer health insurance, part-time workers often miss out. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that less than a quarter of part-time workers in civilian jobs have access to employer-sponsored health insurance.
To make matters worse, some companies have been cutting back on benefits for part-time workers. Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Home Depot have all stopped offering health or retirement plans (or both) to part-time staff in recent years. They’ve increased the minimum hours needed to qualify for health coverage to 30 hours per week and retirement benefits to 40 hours per week.
For health, dental, and vision coverage, workers who don’t work 30 hours per week have to look to state or federal insurance exchanges. But it’s not all bad news. Some companies still offer health benefits and other perks, like dental coverage and 401(k) plans, to employees who work part-time jobs (less than 30 hours per week).
Here are some of the biggest and most widespread companies that offer health insurance and other benefits to part-time workers:
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Allegis Group: This Maryland-based staffing firm, formerly known as Aerotek, employs about 10,000 full-time employees and nearly 100,000 contractors and temp workers. All temp and contract employees who work at least 20 hours per week are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage paid for through paycheck contributions. The company also offers a 401(k) plan with an employee match and an annual profit-sharing bonus for part-time workers at its subsidiaries.
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Costco: This Seattle-based big box retailer has more than 700 stores and over 100,000 employees. Any employee who works more than 23 hours per week and has 180 days of service is eligible for a comprehensive health insurance plan administered by Aetna. Part-time employees also have access to a low-cost dental plan and basic vision coverage.
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Lowe’s Home Improvement: This Charlotte-based home improvement giant has more than 250,000 employees across nearly 2,000 locations. Unlike its main rival, Home Depot, Lowe’s extends health insurance benefits to all nonseasonal part-time employees.
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Starbucks: This Seattle-based coffee company employs hundreds of thousands of workers globally. Employees who work more than 20 hours per week or 240 hours per quarter are eligible to enroll in Starbucks’ benefits program, which includes various medical plans, dental plans, and vision plans.
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UPS: This Atlanta-based logistics firm is one of the world’s largest, with about 430,000 employees globally. Part-time UPS workers who log at least 225 hours in any three-month eligibility determination period are eligible for the same TeamstersCare benefits normally extended to full-time Teamsters members.
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REI: This Seattle-based retailer has 15,000 employees at just over 150 retail stores. REI extends full-time benefits to all employees working at least 20 hours per week.
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Staples: This Boston-based office supply giant provides health insurance coverage and a slew of other benefits to hourly and full-time employees, including store-based associates and corporate campus workers.
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U-Haul: This Phoenix-based self-serve moving firm has more than 20,000 employees. Most part-timers are eligible for employee benefits.
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JPMorgan Chase: This blue-chip financial institution offers a generous benefits package to part-timers who log more than 20 hours per week after 60 days of employment.
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Chipotle Mexican Grill: This Denver-based quick-serve restaurant chain provides health insurance coverage and a slew of other benefits to hourly and full-time employees, including store-based associates and corporate campus workers.
While some companies have scaled back benefits for part-time employees, it’s still possible to find bigger employers offering solid benefits packages to part-time staff. These benefits might not be as robust as those offered to full-time workers, and they may have restrictions or limits on coverage. But employer-sponsored group health insurance plans still tend to be more affordable than plans purchased on the private market, especially when companies help subsidize the cost.
