Earl and I decided that as a married couple we were going to take advantage of the medical benefits offered by his company. His health care plan is better and as we get on in age, that’s always a good thing. Once we confirmed that I was on his health care plan, I would cancel the policy I currently have at my job.
Earl went to add me to his health care plan at work this morning when he was presented with a lovely message on the web-based portal form.
I’m sorry, your married spouse must be of the opposite sex.
The general manager of three of the most profitable facilities in the entire corporation is not allowed to sign his spouse up for medical benefits on the company plan simply because he is married to a man. It seems Earl’s company will not recognize same-sex marriages (which of course, are completely legal in New York State) until the Federal Government recognizes same sex unions under the federal tax code.
Well, now there’s something to think about as you make your selections at the elections coming up over the next couple of years.
The extremist in me wants both despises the facts that we work for large corporations. I don’t enjoy the politics of working at a corporation and I certainly don’t like the “one size fits all” mentality that is handed out on a whim. The realist in me realizes that we have a really good life because we work for large corporations.
But is not being recognized equally really a good life?
Ultimately, it’s up to Earl and me to be more vocal about how we feel on these issues and to educate people. Earl has made a difference in his HR department by getting them to admit that there are gay men and lesbians working for them in the first place. I have been vocal with mine.
It looks like that Earl and I will be on my company’s insurance plan instead. It’s a decent plan but not as robust as what we would have had on Earl’s plan. All because someone, somewhere decided that love is only valid between a man and a woman.
Equality. Ain’t it grand in America.
– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
It’s not 100% different over here. Ian has just been told by an insurance provider that as we have a civil partnership that he needs a deed poll as proof of name change. He doesn’t. The bank didn’t need it, revenue didn’t need it. He has changed providers.
That’s BULLSHIT!!!!!!!!!
I second Theresa. That is total bullshit.
One would think from a business POV, they’d be happy to take more money regardless. Hmm….