COMPANY PAID INSURANCE BENIFITS

[seandisme]

i have worked for a company for over 17 years, recently i have been diagnosed with a condition unabling me to work. i have been on disability for 6 months waiting to see if i would be released to go back to work.During this time my company has continued to pay my health benifits. about 3 months ago the company changed a policy in there handbook stating ,"the company will terminate a workers medical benifits after 1 month of consecutive unemployment (due to the large amount of lack of work ).Now they are telling me that i have to get off of disability and come back to work by the end of the month or they will cut my benifits.Do i have any legal grounds here and can they do this to me midstream after they had covered me up[ to this point ?i am in california.is there a number i can call for help?

[1171]

there are protections for those covered by the Family & Medical Leave Act.
"To be eligible to take FMLA leave for any qualifying reason, an employee of a covered employer must have worked for the employer for a total of 12 months, have worked at least 1,250 hours over the previous 12 months, and work at a location where at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75 miles.

The Wage and Hour Division investigates complaints. If violations cannot be satisfactorily resolved, the U.S. Department of Labor may bring action in court to compel compliance. Individuals may also be able to bring a private civil action against an employer for violations.
For additional information, visit our Wage and Hour Division Website: http://www.wagehour.dol.gov and/or call our toll-free information and helpline, available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in your time zone, 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243)."

who is covered and what is protected including a health insurance option is explained here
http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/fmla/

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

If you in a Union you can contest the right of a Granfather rule as to company policy.

If no Union you can call your State EEOC Board, and they will be able to answer this for right over the phone.

The answer is a phone call away.

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

What State, what State is this in????

[seandisme]

this is in california