Published 05-14-04
Submitted by Human Rights Campaign
"These tools offer solid information to employers on how marriage equality might have an impact on their workplaces," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. "Meanwhile, as Congress and many states debate anti-marriage constitutional amendments, employers should know that these laws are anti-business."
A new "Marriage and Your Workplace" section - www.hrc.org/worklife/marriage - provides the most current research on the impact of marriage for same-sex couples. It addresses what employers might expect from an employee who marries their same-sex spouse. Also, it explains why the Federal Marriage Amendment is bad for business and it provides tools for employers who want to take a position against the proposal.
"The proposed changes to the U.S. Constitution could decrease employers' flexibility to define their own benefits programs and it would continue the unfair taxation of employees and companies who take advantage of domestic partner benefits," said Kim I. Mills, HRC's education director.
In addition, HRC WorkNet has created a unique tutorial aimed at helping human resources professionals, benefits administrators and diversity managers to implement workplace initiatives affecting GLBT employees. The "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in the Workplace" Microsoft PowerPoint® tutorial will help users better understand a range of GLBT workplace issues. This tutorial - available online at www.hrc.org/tutorial and as a CD-ROM - was created by the HRC Foundation's workplace project, HRC WorkNet, with the support of the Level Playing Field Institute.
"Extending workplace protections and implementing policies sensitive to GLBT concerns can present challenges to managers who are confronting these issues for the first time," said Daryl Herrschaft, deputy director for HRC WorkNet. "Smart employers who connect the dots between productivity and welcoming workplace policies will be more competitive. Our data show that employers can 'do well while doing good' by being attentive to GLBT workplace concerns."
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.