Are employers liable to offer benefits to a temporary, contract worker for a position of approx 4 months duration? They are not represented by any agency and will be filling out a W-4 and I-9 form. They will be working 40 hour weeks for approx 16 weeks. I was told we have to offer the same benefits as fulltime employes even though this person will only be working for us for 4 months on contract. Any documents out there outlining our responsibilities if any?

What are the eligibility requirements in your plan docs? If temp ees are not a covered class, you're not required to offer them coverage.

I agree with nac. Your plan doc's will tell you who is eligible for your benefits. If they are not explicit, how about hiring the individual through a temp agency?