Originally Posted by Minte

What is unfortunate for employees is usually fortunate for employers. There is an abundance of good labor available at bargain rates. We are hirng. We have added 25 new jobs since we moved into the new plant and plan on adding at least 75 more in 2013. We made some smart/lucky moves in 2008 and I don't see our business getting hurt to bad in the next recession.

This doesn't mean good things for the employee. Most of the new hires won't take the health insurance we offer now. Even though we pay 70% the 30% the employee has to pay is too much for most of the direct labor. I honestly don't know what they will do. I do know that the company would be far better off taking the penalty than paying for all of our people. At the end of the day I see the employee taking the penalty.