Domestic Partner Benefits: Writing a Proposal
When advocating for the provision of domestic partner benefits, it is important to present a well thought out and detailed proposal.
Research the topic thoroughly. Write a proposal that includes the following:
- A definition or list of the benefits you are seeking. Find out from your human resources department or benefits enrollment documentation what kinds of benefits your employer already extends to the opposite-sex spouses of employees and seek to match those.
- A justification for implementation in your organization. Include personal stories from employees who will be affected by the benefits.
- A proposed definition of “domestic partner.”
- An analysis of the projected cost (domestic partner benefits are not more expensive than spousal benefits, but the analysis must include headcounts of partners and partners’ eligible dependents) to employees and the employer.
- A plan to implement and administer the benefits. Cover issues of confidentiality, tax and insurance implications and fraud.
- Information on what your company’s competitors and suppliers have done in this area, with sample policies.
- A detailed plan for announcing and rolling out the benefits to employees.
- A detailed plan for revealing the policy to outside individuals, if desired.
- A plan to respond to publicity, both positive and negative.
