The benefits offered by an employer play a critical role in the lives of employees and their families by assisting in health needs, future financial security, needed absences from work, and much more. Benefits may include programs like paid time off, medical insurance, dental insurance, disability, life insurance, retirement benefits, family leave, education and training programs, bonuses, commissions, and stock options. For many years, most employers only provide benefits for employees' spouse and children. Only …showed first 75 words of 769 total…

…showed last 75 words of 769 total…image is often improved when a company promotes equality in the workplace. Many companies fail to offer domestic-partner benefits is that they either do not think they have any gay employees, or they simply did not think of it. However, implementing domestic-partner benefit programs takes just a few manageable steps. "In any event, employers need to stay tuned to further developments, as the ultimate outcome of this controversy remains to be seen". (Lotti, D., 2005, para. 8)