Walmart Will Begin Offering Same-Sex Domestic Partnership Benefits in 2014

Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, will begin offering domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples, according to documents obtained by Towleroad. Benefits for same-sex partners, like same-sex spouses, would include “medical, dental, vision, life insurance, discount cards, family leave, 401K, and critical illness and accident insurance,” and be available in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The document explains:

We operate in 50 states, hundreds of municipalities, and Puerto Rico, and as clarified under the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) each of these states are developing different definitions of marriage, domestic partner, civil union, etc. By developing a single definition for all Walmart associates in the U.S. and Puerto Rico we are able to ensure consistency for associates in various markets.

In order to remain competitive in terms of attracting and retaining great talent to our company, we’re extending our benefits package to include domestic partners.

Walmart’s 2.2 million worldwide employees include 1.3 million in the United States. It is the latest company to recognize that LGBT equality is good for business.

Towleroad noted that Walmart informed its LGBT employees group, Walmart PRIDE (Promoting, Respect, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity), of the decision on Monday.

UPDATE

Randy Hargrove, a Walmart spokesman, confirmed the new policy and told ThinkProgress that a postcard detailing the changes and enhancements is being sent to employees this week.

Source Article from http://www.nationofchange.org/walmart-will-begin-offering-same-sex-domestic-partnership-benefits-2014-1377696757

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