July 26, 2004

NEWARK — In honor of Labor Day, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey today commends the more than 100 companies with operations in New Jersey that provide some type of domestic partnership benefits to their employees.

“We applaud these companies for having progressive and inclusive policies that make them leaders in corporate America today,” said Deborah Jacobs, Executive Director of the ACLU of New Jersey. “These are companies that care about their employees, their business practices, and company morale.”

In the American workplace today, employee benefits compromise about 40 percent of total employee compensation. As a result, married employees who receive benefits for their spouses are, in effect, paid more than their co-workers with unrecognized partners. This is an undemocratic and unfair method of employee compensation. Domestic partner benefits equalize employee compensation policies by recognizing unmarried workers in committed life partnerships.

Companies offering domestic partner benefits possess a competitive edge over employers who do not offer such benefits-employees who are treated equally, fairly compensated, and valued for their work will be more productive and happier than those who are not.

While all of the companies listed below offer domestic partner benefits to employees, the beneficiaries and the benefits offered vary from company to company. The majority of the companies offer benefits to both same-sex couples and unmarried heterosexual couples, but some only offer them to same-sex couples.

Health insurance is the centerpiece of almost all domestic partner benefit plans. But many times companies offer more robust benefit packages including: dental insurance, disability and life insurance, pension benefits, family medical and bereavement leave, membership in health clubs and credit unions, education and tuition assistance, relocation and travel expenses, and day care.

Currently, more than 4,285 U.S. employers offer domestic partner benefits: 145 Fortune 500 companies; 3,872 private companies, non-profit organizations and unions; 155 colleges and universities; and 113 state and local governments.

For more information on domestic partner benefits around the country, go to http://www.aclu.org/issues/gay/hmgl.html.

List of companies operating in NJ offering domestic partner benefits:

This list is in no way a total representation of all companies offering domestic partner benefits