Wal-Mart Recognizes Gay Families

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/01/012705walmart.htm

Wal-Mart, the nation's largest private employer, has adopted a new definition of family that includes same-sex partners recognized under state law.

The new definition of "immediate family" was included in a conflict-of-interest policy for employees that the company filed yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The policy which lays out the terms under which workers would violate that policy says, "You are responsible for advancing Wal-Mart's business interests when the opportunity to do so arises. You may not take any opportunities or use any confidential information for your benefit, or for the benefit of your immediate family members, that you discover or obtain through your employment with Wal-Mart."


but those "immediate family" members still don't get benefits?

[napi21]

1. Isn't this a problem for WM? Need to see what their policy is on

benefits. Sounds like a potential discrimination suit to me!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. That's nice.

They still won't get one fucking dime of my money.

[David__77]

3. Corporate gays vs. labor strategy.

I had concern in the past the a company with a vigorous anti-labor strategy would issue gay-friendly policies simultaneously, in order to diffuse public perception that the company is backward and cruel to its employees. This does nothing to improve Wal-Mart in my eyes so long as its employees are treated fundamentally inhumanely.

[arikara]

4. Seriously, does anyone get benefits through the evil empire?

I thought that the walworkers couldn't afford benefits through the plan that the company offers.

[renaissanceguy]

5. Are you nuts?

If WM were to give benefits to same-sex partners, they would lose their fundie support.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/466053

[ret5hd]

7. i ask every fundie i have a conversation with...

(admittedly few and far between):

Do you shop at wal-mart?

yes

so you support the largest financier of forced abortions in the world? you support the chinese policy of forced abortions? how can you sleep at night?


(disclaimer: i am a full supporter of a womans right to choose.)

[Tsiyu]

27. Okay, I'm really curious ret5hd

How do they respond? I imagine the responses vary. Share some, wouldja?

[Kikosexy2]

6. here come...

the boycotts. oh-hum!

[SoCalDem]

8. Big Whoop..

All they are saying here is that if someone "outs" a fellow Wal-mart-ian through "information" they gleaned from company records, they will be in deep doo doo..

"associates" still have to wait ages and ages to be "eligible" for any benefits that walmart offers, and the "gay family" members will probably feel reluctant to disclose their "family composition" anyway.

Do any of us really think that walmart is a "gay-friendly" employer?? This is just CYA doublespeak..

[Redstone]

9. That's nice of them, but not too difficult...

It's easy to recognize a gay family: They're the ones with parents who are two of one, rather than one of each.

Redstone

(facetiousness intended)

[Solon]

10. Notice how it is for violation of a policy, and not benefits, I find...

that to be the best condemnation of how Wal-Mart values its employees in general, they treat them like shit. Also this is limited to only two states so far, and a few localities, color me not impressed.

[Fridays Child]

11. Actually, this might make an excellent basis for a lawsuit to force...

...domestic partner benefits at Wal-Mart.

[hollowdweller]

12. if this gets lower middle class fundamentalist christians to boycott its a

good thing

[orthogonal]

13. Wal-Mart Recognizes Gay Families....

Wal-Mart Recognizes Gay Families... and smites them!

[d.l.Green]

14. As I read this statement it seems they're broadening the definition

of family solely to prevent, for lack of a better analogy, "insider trading"- what opportunities could they be referring to? Special sales? Whatever the redefinition refers to it seems to only benefit WM. Maybe I'm not getting this but to me this seems more of an insult than an acceptance of anything.

[VegasWolf]

15. It recognizes that gay families can shop at WalMart. n/t

[Itsthetruth]

16. Wal-Mart Does Not Discriminate

Wal-Mart does not discriminate. They treat both gay and straight workers like crap.

[True_Blue]

17. and all of Wal-mart's employees receive equal benefits

which is nada.

One edit: Welcome to DU!:hi:

[Tsiyu]

18. Wal-Mart Expands Policy Definition of 'immediate Family'

By Peggy Harris Associated Press Writer
Published: Jan 28, 2005



LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is expanding the definition of "immediate family" in its employee-ethics policy to account for laws in states that recognize domestic partnerships and civil unions.
The change drew quick praise from a major gay-rights lobbying organization.

The revised policy, which was disclosed Wednesday in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission recognizes that in some states "immediate family" includes an employee's same-sex partner.

The revisions deal with sections of the company's ethics code that bar employees from using confidential information to benefit themselves or immediate family members and from approaching Wal-Mart's suppliers about jobs for immediate family members, the company said Thursday.

Wal-Mart spokesman Gus Whitcomb declined to say whether the change would affect benefits for employees of the nation's largest employer or whether the revision meant the company was taking a position on same-sex marriage or civil unions.

more:
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB70SVWH4E.html

[murielm99]

19. Benefits for employees?

What benefits?

If the fundies start to yell about this, we should use indirection to question the quality of the benefits, or the lack of them, provided by WalMart.

[Tsiyu]

20. For real

This is amazing, and it will mean pretty soon, EVERYBODY will be boycotting Wally World. Poor, poor dears.

I feel so sorry for them. This decision is just too little, too late, huh?

[snippy]

21. Well . . Wal-Mart does help its employees apply for Medicaid and

food stamps. I suppose some would call that a "benefit."

[leftyandproud]

22. They actually give good benefits

I know someone who works there and has her family covered. It takes about 20% of her paycheck, but the benefit amount far exceeds her annual income. The only kicker is, to get the quality retirement, health, and vacation benefits you need to work there more than 6 months. It is a fair trade I think given that it is an entry level position. Wal-Mart gets bashed for being the biggest..but I really don't think it deserves it, especially considering that they recognize and give benefits to gay couples now. They are changing with the times.

[DainBramaged]

36. One word for those of you who think Wal-Fart is good for people

Costco

[jhain]

32. IF??? IF????????

They are gonna be orgasmic( but, will never admit it) over this!

The MANDATE has made their lives so boring; they have had nothing to beat their breasts ( well covered, I assure you) about for all these many weeks.

Gays at the neighborhood Wally World? Yee Haaw! Get down on your knees
( just to pray, of course) and thank Jesus for the news! Go smash all the windows in all the cars in the employees' parking lot ( except the pick ups) and make big signs ( like GOD HATES GAYS) and pace in front of the store! And never, never buy any white bread there ever again
( except really, really late at night)
Me, I think I shall go get some stock in Groucho Marx eye glasses as all the good Christians will need disguises to go shopping now.

[Mend]

25. I think they are noticing our boycott

and are trying a pseudo-liberal tactic, which in fact is nothing for anyone. The boycott continues, for our family anyway.

[goddess40]

35. Mine too

I can't stand the place.

[GiovanniC]

23. Read The Article, People

Wal-Mart's new policy is that a gay partner is "immediate family" where it suits Wal-Mart and that's it. Basically with this new policy, you can now get into trouble if you get your gay partner a job through a Wal-Mart vendor. But your gay partner still gets precisely dick in the realm of benefits.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

24. Precisely Dick?

You're either the funniest person I've read today or the most oblivious. Which is still pretty damned funny.

But you're right -- this does not mean the Wal-Mart is trying to reach out to the gay community to do the right thing for its employees. They are and will remain the Evil Empire of the retail industry.

[GiovanniC]

26. Oh, I'm Plenty Oblivious

But in this case I was aware of what I was saying.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

28. Good. I feel better about you...

[katinmn]

31. CNN (that beacon of journalism) just said that Wal-Mart extended

health coverage to same-sex couples.

Hee hee. The message is getting all f****ed up!

[hector459]

29. Well, will Dobbson and others call for a boycott of Wal-Mart?

If they are willing to screw with the Constitution over this issue, why wouldn't they organize a huge boycott of Wal-Mart. What a lovely idea...the opposition will be doing our work for us.

[katinmn]

30. I would love to see this. When the news reaches them in 2-3 month

I hope the fundies go berserk.

:bounce:

[DainBramaged]

39. Wal-Mart can do no wrong, dontchaknow

The Fundies will never speak out against an icon, think about *, now think about all the things gone wrong. Do you honestly believe that the Fundies know (or care to read manufacturing labels) their shit is made in China, 'Commie God-hating' China? Wal-Mart is also 'remanufacturing imported goods (completeing one part or adding a stich) so the item qualifies as Made in America from components manufactured overseas.

Still think they care? Next to *, Wal-Mart is the holy ghost.

[goddess40]

33. Wal-marts benefit package= food stamps and Medicaid

and heating assistance. The health care plan they offer is so expensive and restrictive many don't bother taking it. Also they hire so few full-timers that as part-time help many don't qualify.

[chopper]

34. this isn't exactly good...

looks like they're redefining 'immediate family' for the purposes of further limiting what an employee can do in their free time.

think of it this way; if there was a federal law against sodomy, stating that it's illegal to perform such an act "with your spouse", and they amended it to "with your spouse, where a spouse includes a hetero- or homosexual spouse or domestic partner", would we be cheering for the governments 'recognition of homosexual partners'?

hell no. its corporate SOP. do something bad, dress is up like its something good, and with any luck, the meme will stick. hell, CNN seems to already be reporting that walmart is giving benefits to gay partners.

[inslee08]

37. At least it's a step in the right direction

Even if it is just meant to pull the wool over our eyes to the rest of their problems.

[Misunderestimator]

38. Yes, Walmart recognizes that gay employees deserve ALL of the benefits

given to straight employees.... wow, how charitable to give them more of nothing.