The Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF), which conducts the Corporate Equality Index (CEI), knows that it can be difficult for the average employee to learn about key benefits. This is especially tricky for members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those who may not be out and are concerned about outing themselves when searching for accurate information about their benefits.
While each company is different, and offers different benefits, many companies offer benefits that can be especially valuable and important for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
That’s why for 2023, the HRCF introduced the requirement for an LGBTQ+ benefits guide for companies that want to obtain a perfect score. The CEI is the U.S. national benchmarking tool on corporate policies, practices, and benefits pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer employees.
Support total wellbeing for all
Employers who value respect, diversity, openness, and equity in the workplace realize that people’s differences make organizations stronger. To create an inclusive environment, it’s important to offer a suite of health, wellness, and family building benefits that make it possible for everyone to feel safe and supported. For the LGBTQ+ community, this includes medical coverage specific to transgender needs, social transition resources, mental health support, paid and unpaid (FMLA) leave, and active support for DE&I initiatives.
To get this information out in a lively and accessible way it’s extremely important for organizations to develop LGBTQ+ benefits guides that provide employees with all the relevant information in one place.
As for me
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I am thrilled to see the rich benefits that different companies offer. The benefits are endless, and they range from family formation benefits, transgender-inclusive healthcare, HIV treatment and prevention to mental health support, leaves and time off, to even pet insurance. These guides also allow companies to promote their Pride employee resource groups and to share their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
This is welcome news for all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Aside from helping employees find the benefits that are right for them, LGBTQ+ benefits guides have another result: it shows employees that the company cares about them, their families, and their communities.
And, while some organizations are starting to create these guides to meet the CEI’s new criteria, it’s great to see that these same organizations are realizing that other benefits guides for different cohorts with specific needs are also important. Why stop at a benefits guide for LGBTQ+ employees, when your organization can also make available a people with disabilities benefits guide, a caregivers benefits guide, a veterans benefits guide, and many others?
Our team can help you develop a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive total rewards and communications strategy that supports your diverse workforce. Learn more here.