WSJ: Health Law Spurs Shift in Hours

WSJ: Health Law Spurs Shift in Hours (Subscription Required)

An interesting story in the Wall Street Journal today (Page B1) reports that several large restaurant, hotel, and retail chains have initiated programs to limit hourly workers to less than 30 hours a week.  Above this threshold, an employee would be considered full-time and a large employer would have to either offer a minimal level of coverage or pay a penalty beginning in 2014.   Among the chains shifting to more part-time workers are CKE Restaurants, Inc. (parent of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's burger chains) and Darden Restaurants Inc. (parent of Red Lobster and Olive Garden).  The Journal reports that companies such as Costco that already offer full benefits have no plans to change employee hours in response to Obamacare.