Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines said it will begin covering the tax burden for its employees’ same-sex partners under the company’s health care plans — and signaled its support for marriage equality.
The change effective this year will “result in parity of the cost of health care coverage between same-sex domestic partners and employees in legally recognized marriages regardless of U.S. location,” according to the company. Other employers have made similar moves, paying extra to cover additional taxes a same-sex couple pays on the partner’s post-tax health premiums, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
Delta has faced some criticism for not being more publicly vocal in its opposition to “religious liberty” legislation proposed in Georgia and other states. The company in announcing the improvement of domestic partner health benefits said it is “committed to maintaining and supporting a culture of inclusion.” The airline said it also participated in a brief urging the Supreme Court to support marriage equality.
“While this issue remains unsettled on a national level, Delta’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect is rooted deeply in the airline’s values and culture,” said Joanne Smith, Delta’s chief human resources officer in a written statement.
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