Labor Day Marks A Few Improvements for Workers, But Not Nearly Enough to Sway Federal Government in Current State

(Washington) As gay and lesbian workers mark Labor Day, newly released statistics show that a record number of companies support  important to gay families.

A record 80 percent of the Fortune 500 Companies have adopted personnel policies that protect sexual orientation from workplace discrimination.

The statistics were complied by Equality Forum in collaboration with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 

In the fall of 2003 the groups wrote to the 177 CEOs of the Fortune 500 Companies that did not provide workplace protection based on sexual orientation requesting that inclusion in their anti-discrimination policy.

"Over the past ten months, 77 (43 percent) of the 177 noncompliant Fortune 500 Companies added sexual orientation to their workplace discrimination policies," said Malcolm Lazin, executive director, Equality Forum.

"These 77 companies employ over 5.1 million workers. The inclusion of sexual orientation sends a message that their company provides a level playing field with merit as the standard for career advancement," Lazin said. 

The inclusion of  workplace protections by corporations is particularly important since 36 states do not provide mandatory protections for gay workers and LGBT workers not covered under federal non discrimination law.

"Including sexual orientation sends an affirming message for retaining and recruiting gay and lesbian employees as well as to the estimated 15 million gay and lesbian US consumers," said Kevin Ray, treasurer, of Equality Forum. According to Prime Access, Inc., gays and lesbians are a $500 billion annual consumer market.

Among those firms recently including sexual orientation in their workplace protection are Aramark, Eaton, Goodyear Tire, PNC Financial Services and Tyson Food Corporation.

"Congress is influenced by national business leadership. With each additional Fortune 500 Company that protects gay and lesbian employees, we accelerate Congress amending the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA) to include sexual orientation," Lazin said.

According to recent Gallup polling, over 85 percent of Americans support including sexual orientation in workplace nondiscrimination.

The number of  companies which provide domestic partner benefits also is growing.

Less than a day after a 365Gay.com story last week that Home Depot was offering pet insurance to its workers but not domestic partner benefits the giant hardware company announced it would change its policy and introduce health coverage to the partners of its unmarried workers including gays and lesbians. (story)

Three other companies which also after pet insurance but not partner benefits, Sprint, Ecolab and Waste Management, continue to resists pressure to amend their policies.

Nevertheless companies that see gay inclusion as an important part of doing business are voicing their opposition to laws that restrict the rights of same-sex couples. Businesses and universities in Ohio have publicly expressed concerns over a proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution to ban same-sex marriage.  Similar concerns have been expressed in other states including Virginia which this year passed one of the most restrictive laws on the rights of gay couples in the country. (story)

In addition, the Wall Street Transcript has developed a unique conference on "The Impact of Same Sex Marriages on Employers' Benefits Expenses" which will take place in New York City on October 25. This conference was designed to help senior human resources professionals understand the business implications of same-sex marriage in medium and large organizations.