Can I set my initial eligibility requirement at 32 hours per week, but once the person is enrolled only require 28 hours per week to maintain coverage?

It is perfectly acceptable to set one requirement for eligibility and another to maintain, as long as the requirements for maintenance are less stringent.

We are a restaurant management group, and this proves a good way to go when you have employees whose hours can vary week to week. It prevents having to drop employees for reduction of hours right after getting on the plan.

We currently require a 3 month average of 35 hours or more per week to become eligible, and 32 to maintain.