I have worked in total for this employer for 31 years. I am being closed out of the benefits in both NY and FL. Is there no accommodation for remote employment?
Q) I worked remotely for the past 22 years here in Florida, and 9 years before that in NY, where the company is based (PO Box only). I have worked in total for this employer for 31 years. I am being closed out of the benefits in both NY and FL. Is there no accommodation for remote employment?
A) It’s understandable that you’re concerned about losing your benefits after working remotely for so long. While the specific laws and regulations regarding benefits for remote employees vary from state to state, there are some general principles that apply.
In the United States, employers are generally not required to provide benefits to remote employees who live in states other than the state where the company is headquartered. This is because employers are only required to comply with the laws of the state in which they are located.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if your employer has employees in multiple states, they may be required to provide benefits to all of their employees, regardless of where they live. Additionally, some employers may choose to voluntarily provide benefits to remote employees, even if they are not legally required to do so.
In your case, it sounds like your employer may be closing out your benefits because you are no longer living in the same state as the company’s headquarters. However, you may still have some options available to you.
First, you should talk to your employer’s human resources department to see if there are any exceptions to their policy on benefits for remote employees. For example, you may be eligible for continuation of benefits under COBRA, which is a federal law that allows employees to continue their health insurance coverage for a limited time after they leave their job.
You should also consult with an employment attorney to discuss your specific situation. They can help you understand your rights and options under the law.
Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:
- The Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA)
- The National Employment Law Project (NELP)
- The Workplace Rights Institute