The announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade has prompted employers to revisit their employee benefits. This new court ruling declares that the federal constitutional right to abortion no longer exists. It ends federal protections and leaves the decisions up to each individual US state. Abortions will be rolled back in nearly half of the states immediately, with more restrictions to follow.
To learn more about handling Roe v. Wade discussions in the workplace, check out our blog.
Employers' Responses
In response, several companies released statements reaffirming their commitment to helping employees access health care services they may not be able to obtain in their state. The following are just some of the companies that have revisited their employee benefits/policies:
- Starbucks
- Tesla
- Dick's Sporting Goods
- Patagonia
- Microsoft
- JPMorgan Chase
- Disney
The companies above, along with others, have created policies covering expenses for travel if an employee were to need an abortion for various reasons.
Prior to this overturn by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey taken by HR professionals. The following are key findings:
- 32 percent of employers provide paid time off to access reproductive care.
- 18 percent allow unpaid time off to attend marches, protests, demonstrations, and similar events to support reproductive rights.
- 5 percent provide travel expense benefits outside of a health savings account (HSA) for employees to access abortion and reproductive services that aren't accessible in their state of residence.
- 4 percent offer company matches for employee donations to groups that support reproductive rights.
What Impact Will You Have?
As we continue to learn more about the impacts the overturn will have on individuals, it’s essential to make sure your employees feel heard. What steps will you take as a business owner to ensure your employees feel valued during challenging times? By partnering with GMS, our experts can update your employee handbook with new policies. In addition, we provide businesses with various tools and resources to find a coverage solution tailored to your needs. Interested in learning more about how GMS can be a resource to you? Contact us today.