Indeed, the online job-search company, is offering a $10,000 relocation payment to its transgender employees or their immediate family members who seek gender-affirming treatment but live in a state where laws or other government policies have criminalized such care, according to a Bloomberg report.
Once approved, eligible employees will receive a flat-rate benefit to relocate to a jurisdiction where they can access appropriate medical care. Misty Gaither, vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging at Indeed, told Bloomberg that the company will also cover any taxes on the relocation funds, which are treated as stipends.
SHRM Online gathered additional news on this topic.
Other Companies Offer Medical Benefits to Transgender Workers
Intuit offers a relocation benefit and has aligned its benefits with the World Professional Association for Transgender Health's standards of care. Netflix offers coverage for gender-affirming care, including surgeries and hormone replacement therapy, while Starbucks has health insurance options for transgender employees.
(Axios)
Transgender Inclusion at Work Reaches Record Numbers
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 corporate equality index revealed that about 66 percent of Fortune 500 companies have transgender-inclusive health care benefits, such as routine, chronic care and transition-related medical coverage. Further, 22 times as many employers offered transgender-inclusive health insurance coverage in 2022 compared to 2009.
(SHRM Online)
Fewer Than 1 in 10 Transgender Employees Know Their Company Offers Transgender-Specific Health Care
A survey by Indeed found that just 8 percent of LGBTQ+ workers know their employer offers transgender-specific benefits, 50 percent said their company does not offer any and 42 percent are unsure.
(Axios)
A Rise in Laws Targeting the LGBTQ+ Community
There has been an uptick in legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, with 495 such bills introduced by lawmakers across the U.S. so far in 2023. These laws include bills banning gender-affirming care and those preventing transgender students and personnel from using school restrooms that match their gender identity.
(American Civil Liberties Union)