Why Obamacare Could Mean More Temp and Part Time Jobs

With President Obama’s health care reform set to begin next year, many employers are now turning to part time and temporary employment in Orlando, Tampa Bay, and the surrounding areas. This trend is occurring as a means for the companies to escape having to pay benefits to workers under the mandate. As more workers are beginning to see their hours cut and temporary employment increase, the workplace is beginning to resemble what it looked like during the recession.

According to the Washington Times, no employee is safe from this new workplace change, but the most affected are those with low incomes who already lack health care insurance. The change has especially hit hard for employees at fast food restaurants and big-box retailers, like Wal-Mart. These businesses generally have a large number of staff, almost all of which are low-paid.

In fact, Wal-Mart is leading the charge in this not-so-quiet rebellion. It has increased the number of temporary staff hired by almost 9 percent.

While Wal-Mart claims this new change is simply to keep costs down, analysts are wary that the real reason is due to Obamacare. While those under temporary employment could potentially receive health insurance benefits through the mandate, it would require a year or more to become eligible under part time and temporary employment. Because of Wal-Mart’s (as well as other low-pay, high staff retailers) high turnover rate, this is unlikely to happen.

While many workers across the nation will still have to pay for their own health care in the coming years, this news isn’t all bad. In fact, for many individuals who are still struggling to find a job, this new trend could mean new availabilities for work.

As employers focus on hiring part-time and temporary workers, those who have been struggling to locate work may find it to be more readily available. Unfortunately, this also means that those who want full-time positions may need to combine part-time jobs to earn a full-time salary.

While big-box businesses are leading this new trend, that doesn’t mean they will be the only ones to take advantage of this loophole in Obamacare. In fact, Floyd County, Indiana officials recently stated plans to cut back the hours of many county workers to part time. Each will only now only work 34 hours a week to keep them just outside the reach of the mandate. In addition, a Pennsylvania school district voted to cut back the hours of cafeteria workers, custodians, and secretaries to part-time in order to avoid having to deal with the health care plan.

What do you think? Do you plan to join the trend or continue to operate your business as usual, providing benefits to your workers at the start of the new year? No matter what your choice is, our professional staffing service can set you up for success!

Whether you’re looking for workers to fill permanent, temp to perm, or temporary employment positions in Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa Bay, Clearwater, or Fort Lauderdale, we have access to the brightest, most talented, and most skilled workers in Florida. Let our professional staffing service match you with the right employee for your company. Stay connected and up-to-date on the latest at HH Staffing via social media on LinkedIn and Facebook. Visit our website for more detail on all our progressive Florida staffing solutions for your business at: www.hhstaffingservices.com