Building a Fair Wisconsin
Learn more about some of the issues we’re working on:
- » Protecting LGBT Couples: Learn about Wisconsin’s new Domestic Partnership protections and how Fair Wisconsin is working toward marriage equality.
- » Supporting Gender Identity & Expression: Find out more about Gender Identity and Expression, Wisconsin's discrimination laws, and how Fair Wisconsin is working toward change.
- » Focusing on Children & Families: Find state and local resources for LGBT families, learn about current issues, and find out what you can do to help.
Inclusive Workplaces
Providing employees with benefit packages that are inclusive of the LGBT community is simply a matter of doing good business. As LGBT equality continues making gains in Wisconsin and across the nation, companies that fail to address the needs of their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees will find it difficult to stay competitive.
In order to recruit the most qualified workers possible, it’s crucial to be able to choose from the broadest possible pool of applicants. By not offering domestic partner benefits, companies often fail to attract and retain skilled, hardworking LGBT people—and the many non-gay professionals who care about diversity.
Employer Benefit Packages
According to the Human Rights Campaign, the majority of the largest employers (5,000+ employees) now provide benefits to same-sex partners and spouses of employees, after the first Fortune 500 company did so in 1990. As of September 2009, 22 of the Fortune 100 companies have removed discriminatory language from their health insurance plans to allow coverage for transgender-related medical treatment.
Wisconsin companies are keeping up with the trend: over 150 employers here offer domestic partner benefits, and that number keeps growing. When Fair Wisconsin first issued a report on this in 2003, only 90 employers had been identified.
Find out more about domestic partner benefits in our FAQ and which employers offer domestic partner benefits in your area in Wisconsin and in the United States.
Corporate Partnerships
Fair Wisconsin is proud to partner with businesses around the state to support companies who already provide inclusive workplaces and companies that wish to improve their ability to attract and retain skilled LGBT employees.
Through our corporate outreach efforts, Fair Wisconsin is able to educate the general public about which businesses support the LGBT community and provide training to businesses about working with and supporting LGBT employees.
For more information about corporate partnerships, please contact Steven Grant at 608.441.0143 x301.