Whole Foods Market cutting medical benefits for some part-time employees

Austin-based Whole Foods Market is rescinding medical benefits for hundreds of its part-time employees starting Jan. 1.

The company announced that employees will now need to work at least 30 hours to buy into its healthcare plan. In the past, employees needed to work at least 20 hours a week. Less than 2% of its workforce, or 1,900 employees, will no longer be eligible for medical coverage under the new policy, the company said.

According to news outlet Business Insider, a company representative stated in an email:

“In order to better meet the needs of our business and create a more equitable and efficient scheduling model, we are moving to a single-tier part-time structure. We are providing Team Members with resources to find alternative healthcare coverage options, or to explore full-time, healthcare-eligible positions starting at 30 hours per week. All Whole Foods Market Team Members continue to receive employment benefits including a 20% in-store discount.”