The world is not the same as it was a few years ago. Although many of the ways it’s changed can’t be called good or positive, one healthy thing to evolve in the post-pandemic world is a real effort on the part of some employers to treat employees better.
Not all, of course, but some realize that to keep the best folks on staff you need to treat them like whole human beings and not just a cog in the wheel.
Some businesses are passing these costs along to consumers, though, and the debate around that practice continues to rage.
In 2021, it was reported that fewer than 32% of restaurant workers had access to health insurance. That, combined with poor wages, rough hours, unpredictable patronage, and a lack of other benefits had the industry losing far more good help than they could win back.
Recently, TikToker Ashley Nichole (@ashnichole_xo) was out for dinner in Los Angeles when she noticed a 5% fee for “employee health” on her bill.
@ashnichole_xo Is this normal?? #greenscreen #receipt #employeehealth #restaurant
“The weirdest thing just happened to me. We enjoy our meal, we get the check, we pay for our check, and as we’re signing the tip and stuff, we noticed something. Here’s the receipt, and if you notice down here toward the bottom, there is a $4.75 charge for employee health. Do you see that? A 5% charge for employee health.”
When she asked the hostess what it was for, she was told it was for healthcare.
“And she goes, ‘Oh, that’s our healthcare.’ And my reaction was ‘Your health, your healthcare?’ And she goes, ‘Yes, our healthcare.”
Ashely had never heard of that or seen it before that day, and asked TikTok whether or not she was just living under a rock.
Image Credit: TikTok
In the 13,000 comments you’ll find all kinds of differing opinions.
Some felt that the responsibility of paying for health care should fall on the business owner, not the patrons.
Image Credit: TikTok
Others said they would have asked for the manager and demanded they remove the charge from their bill.
Image Credit: TikTok
Still others were torn, realizing that there are far too many people in America who don’t have or can’t afford health care, and feeling like 5% here and there isn’t that big of a deal.
Image Credit: TikTok
I’m not sure how I feel about it, but having restaurant owners admit their employees need insurance some way or some how is a positive step.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Let’s chat about it down in the comments!
