In Atlanta, Georgia, JenChan’s, a family-run restaurant, is gaining attention for a unique policy.
Opened just six months before the pandemic, this establishment is now in the spotlight for adding a health insurance fee to customer bills. The aim of this charge is to assist the full-time staff of the restaurant with their health insurance needs.
The Health Insurance Fee Explained
The Daily Mail reports that when dining at JenChan’s, customers will find a 4% health insurance charge on their bills. This initiative, as explained by the restaurant, was introduced after the health insurance premiums for their staff more than tripled.
The restaurant has communicated this clearly to patrons, stating, “On your receipt, you will notice 4% health insurance we implemented after our premiums more than tripled last year,” emphasizing their commitment to staff well-being.
The Financial Impact on Employees
The implementation of the health insurance charge has had a tangible financial impact on JenChan’s staff.
Emily Chan, the owner of JenChan’s, explained to Atlanta News First: “We’ve only done this for a year and a half, right? So, at the end of last year, we were able to cut a very small check, because that was it. There wasn’t a lot left over, but there was a little bit, to the employees who were on health insurance. well, this year, it covered every single thing, and it was $2,000 off, which means that 4% is just like it’s almost the perfect amount of money to cover everyone’s premiums.”
Addressing the Health Insurance Challenge
The health insurance fee at JenChan’s was introduced as a reaction to a wider crisis in health insurance affordability.
“We feel like there’s a pretty huge crisis going on with health insurance. No one can afford it. Nothing has worked,” Chan told Atlanta News First.
The Backlash: Threats Over the Fee
However, this initiative has not been without controversy. The restaurant faced backlash, including online threats, particularly from a customer disgruntled over paying an additional $2.
“They ate food here, dined in and said nothing while they were here and went online to spill some nastiness about not just the health insurance but physically threatening Emily and Jen and their kid online,” Sam Hammer, the lead bartender, shared with Atlanta News First.
Attempting Resolution
The Daily Mail reports that in an effort to de-escalate the situation, JenChan’s refunded the entire bill of the customer who made the threats.
The restaurant explained in a statement on Facebook, “We refunded your entire bill over that $2 in hopes that we can move on from this and maybe you will remove whatever post is invoking people to flood our site, Google, and Yelp, and our inbox with misinformation.”
A Lifeline for Employees
From the employees’ perspective, this initiative has been crucial. Hammer, who joined the restaurant in 2022, shared his personal story with Atlanta News First.
“I don’t have money like that, and so I was just living my life without it, and finally found this job randomly. And I fell in love with the people and the place and because of them, I’m able to have health insurance. It’s a special thing. It’s not an industry standard at all,” he said.
Customer Support for the Initiative
Despite some criticism, many customers have expressed their support for JenChan’s policy.
Emily Chan reports a positive reaction from patrons who understand the rarity of health insurance in this sector: “It’s been pretty awesome, and we’ve been really busy this weekend just people saying, ‘Hey, I hear what you’re doing for your employees. I work in the restaurant industry, and we never had health insurance.'”
Local Community’s Positive Response
In the Cabbagetown community, the response to JenChan’s health insurance charge has been largely positive.
“The locals in Cabbagetown were like, this is dope. We have no problem paying a little extra couple of dollars,” Hammer told Atlanta News First.
Sparking a Broader Conversation
Chan shared her hope that JenChan’s policy will spark wider discussions in the restaurant industry.
“I want people to talk about this. That’s why we have it as a line item, is because I feel like it’s worth a conversation. There’s an issue,” she expressed to Atlanta News First.
Commitment to Maintaining the Policy
Despite receiving some backlash, Chan is determined to continue with the health insurance charge.
Speaking to Atlanta Daily News, she said: “Not changing a thing. The only thing I would change is if Congress does something, then I can just take that line item off completely and not even worry about it.”
Potential Influence on the Industry
JenChan’s initiative has potential to influence other companies in the restaurant industry. By implementing a health insurance charge and receiving community support, the restaurant sets an example for others.
This action may inspire similar moves by other establishments, possibly leading to a shift in how the industry addresses employee health benefits.
