Wed Aug 28, 2013, 01:34 PM

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

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/

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

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15 replies	Author	Time	Post
Walmart Extends Benefits To LGBT Employees' Same-Sex Domestic Partners (Original post)	KittyWampus	Aug 2013	OP
still a big deal	DonCoquixote	Aug 2013	#1
Agreed, lots of PR value. n/t	X_Digger	Aug 2013	#3
It's good to see them do something, but it will affect so few people	AllyCat	Aug 2013	#2
Message auto-removed	Name removed	Aug 2013	#4
By the end of the year	madokie	Aug 2013	#5
right. since they don't have any full time employees	curlyred	Aug 2013	#6
No full time employees?	former9thward	Aug 2013	#10
Here's a site with firsthand knowledge and facts about Walmart	WestSeattle2	Aug 2013	#7
Where are fundies and gun fucks going to buy their Rapture/Race War supplies now? nt	onehandle	Aug 2013	#8
Hell, cant buy anything but shotgun shells there now,	7962	Aug 2013	#11
Tell us how much you enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart. n/t	Nuclear Unicorn	Aug 2013	#13
Of course they have been forced to do this....certainly not voluntary....	MindMover	Aug 2013	#9
How ? not being stupid here but what law	littlewolf	Aug 2013	#12
Read here about halfway through, it states that it is a requirement ....	MindMover	Aug 2013	#14
thank you. nt	littlewolf	Aug 2013	#15

Response to KittyWampus (Original post)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 01:48 PM

DonCoquixote (13,588 posts)

1. still a big deal

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

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Response to DonCoquixote (Reply #1)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 01:54 PM

X_Digger (18,585 posts)

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

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Response to KittyWampus (Original post)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 01:53 PM

AllyCat (15,168 posts)

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

since most don't actually have benefits.

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Response to KittyWampus (Original post)

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Response to KittyWampus (Original post)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 02:22 PM

madokie (51,076 posts)

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.

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Response to KittyWampus (Original post)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 02:51 PM

curlyred (1,879 posts)

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.

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Response to curlyred (Reply #6)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 03:45 PM

former9thward (29,997 posts)

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/

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Response to KittyWampus (Original post)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 02:56 PM

WestSeattle2 (1,730 posts)

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]

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Response to KittyWampus (Original post)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 03:07 PM

onehandle (51,122 posts)

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

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Response to onehandle (Reply #8)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 04:07 PM

7962 (11,841 posts)

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!!

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Response to onehandle (Reply #8)

Wed Aug 28, 2013, 04:29 PM

Nuclear Unicorn (19,497 posts)