Los Angeles Employment Lawyer

Same-Sex Couple Benefits

Prior to May 15, 2008, the state of California allowed for domestic partnerships between same-sex couples as an alternative to marriage. However, under these partnership laws, employers were not required to provide benefits to their employee’s partners who were part of a domestic partnership as they were to the spouse of a married employee.

However, on May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to ban same-sex marriages, which lifted the ban previously existing in the state. In light of this decision, a new law was passed that said employers in California are required to provide the same benefits to same-sex couples as they do to opposite-sex couples, including:

• Family Leave
• Medical
• Worker’s Compensation Insurance

Out of State Offices

Under this new law, all employers in California have to provide equal benefits to same-sex couples, but this law does not apply only to California based businesses. If an office in California is part of a company that has its base in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriages, the office is still required to provide equal benefits to same sex-couples working in the California office as they do to opposite-sex couples.

Any company that refuses to provide benefits to same-sex couples is in violation of California employment law and can face legal charges.

Speak with a Los Angeles Employment Attorney

If you or someone you know feels that they are being denied their legal rights because they are part of a same-sex couple, it is important to contact a legal professional as soon as possible to make sure justice is upheld. Contact Los Angeles employment lawyer Perry Smith today at 888-356-2529 to schedule a consultation.