Walmart Extends Benefits To LGBT Employees' Same-Sex Domestic Partners

[KittyWampus]

Source: Forbes

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, will soon offer a full suite of benefits to its employees’ domestic partners, including those of the same sex.

The change will take effect in all 50 states, independent of each state’s definition of what marriage, domestic partnership or civil union entails.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant sent postcards to its staffers on Monday outlining changes to their health insurance policies for 2014, including news that “full-time associates can cover any spouse or domestic partner,” regardless of gender.

Walmart spokesperson Randy Hargrove stressed that offering healthcare to LGBT partners is “one piece” of the store chain’s updated benefits package, which includes a vision plan, 100% coverage for some surgeries including hip replacement and incentives to quit smoking.

snip

Read more: http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2013/08/28/walmart-extends-benefits-to-lgbt-employees-same-sex-domestic-partners/

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Only good for full time employees… and most employees are part time, on purpose.

[DonCoquixote]

1. still a big deal

As now people will say "wal mart did it, why can't you?"

[X_Digger]

3. Agreed, lots of PR value. n/t

[AllyCat]

2. It's good to see them do something, but it will affect so few people

since most don't actually have benefits.

[madokie]

5. By the end of the year

walmart will have fired or layed off all their LGBT employees that would qualify. That is my guess anyway.
walmart is not a good company in any shape or form.

[curlyred]

6. right. since they don't have any full time employees

I hope this bites them in the ass. Hopefully this will piss off their teabagger base.

[former9thward]

10. No full time employees?

1.1 million are covered by their health plan. But I guess they have no full time employees. Right....

http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2013/08/28/walmart-extends-benefits-to-lgbt-employees-same-sex-domestic-partners/

[WestSeattle2]

7. Here's a site with firsthand knowledge and facts about Walmart

http://www.gaypasg.org/GayPASG/AboutGayPASG/Wal-Mart%20RealFacts%200608.htm

Though the data is somewhat dated, it gives insight into what Walmart is really all about.

Wal-Mart’s Health Care Plan Fails to Cover Over 775,000 Employees

• Wal-Mart reported in January 2006 that its health insurance only covers 43% of their employees. Wal-Mart has approximately 1.39 million US employees. [http://www.walmartfacts.com/docs/1625_jan2006healthcarebackgrounders_576890240.pdf]


All of Wal-Mart’s Health Plan’s Are Too Costly for Its Workers to Use

• Since the average full-time Wal-Mart employee earned $17,114 in 2005, he or she would have to spend between 7 and 25 percent of his or her income just to cover the premiums and medical deductibles, if electing for single coverage. [Wal-Mart 2006 Associate Guide and UFCW analysis]

• The average full-time employee electing for family coverage would have to spend between 22 and 40 percent of his or her income just to cover the premiums and medical deductibles. These costs do not include other health-related expenses such as medical co-pays, prescription coverage, emergency room deductibles, and ambulance deductibles. [Wal-Mart 2006 Associate Guide and UFCW Analysis].

• Wal-Mart trumps the affordability of its new health care plan. According to Wal-Mart, “In January [2006], …Coverage will be available for as little as $22 per month for individuals” [www.walmartfacts.com]

• What Wal-Mart’s website leaves out: Coverage is affordable, but using it will bankrupt many employees. Wal-Mart’s most affordable plan for 2006 includes a $1,000 deductible for single coverage and a $3,000 deductible for family coverage ($1,000 deductible per person covered up to $3,000). [Wal-Mart 2006 Associate Guide]

[onehandle]

8. Where are fundies and gun fucks going to buy their Rapture/Race War supplies now? nt

[7962]

11. Hell, cant buy anything but shotgun shells there now,

for the most part. Otherwise the shelves are pretty bare. Bought some skeet shooting shells last week and noticed it.
But I never ventured over to the "End times" dept!!

[Nuclear Unicorn]

13. Tell us how much you enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart. n/t

[MindMover]

9. Of course they have been forced to do this....certainly not voluntary....

if they don't they get fined bigtime....

[littlewolf]

12. How ? not being stupid here but what law

requires it ? is this because of ACA ?

[MindMover]

14. Read here about halfway through, it states that it is a requirement ....

http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/spousal-benefits-recognizing-same-sex-spouses-for-benefits-programs

[littlewolf]

15. thank you. nt