The company I work for was merged with another company at the end of 2021. They agreed to honor our “time in service” and so, under the new companies rules, I became eligible for their 401k plan in August. Their 401k plan is a “safe harbor” plan. Their safe harbor contribution was 3%. Everyone I know at the company got their contribution.
When I did not receive mine, I emailed HR. She responded “I think it’s applied at the end of the year!” Ok cool. So I wait 4 months, and no contribution. I email on 01/06 as a follow up “what’s going on, you said it would be the end of the year”.
She waits a week and responds “oh, now it’s optional. There’s no guarantee you will get it.”
So I literally threw the 401k book at her (their book to be specific) quoting all the places their own document said it was required. I don’t think she realizes you can’t just retro back the rules (because for 2023 it is different).