Syracuse University ‘Considering’ Paying Gay Staff More For Tax Inequalities
“Because federal law doesn’t recognize gay marriage, Wrigley and other same-sex couples pay taxes on their SU benefits, healthcare and tuition costs, unlike their heterosexual married colleagues. [...] To combat this inequality, SU may consider providing what’s called “grossing up” to its employees. The university would pay Wrigley and other same-sex couples more to make up for the extra government taxes. This would ensure all employees pay the same amount for the same coverage. A movement to guarantee equal benefits for all couples at SU began approximately three years ago through the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns Committee in the University Senate, SU’s governing body of faculty and staff. But gay partners still pay more for their benefits today, despite the committee’s lobbying. SU also requires heterosexual couples to be legally married to receive any benefits.” [Daily Orange]
I kind of like this, despite its ability to be divisive. This is actually something that would piss off a lot of otherwise unaffected straight people because they’ll see that their checks are less than their gay coworkers, and it forces a dialogue around the issue. In the interest of fairness, I’d think a lot of people would rather be compensated and valued equally than be paid less than someone else just because they’re gay, no? So now they have a reason to support gay marriage, to restore the equity.
Of course, this WILL piss off an awful lot of people…
Hmmm…I hope they discuss this with counsel first. It might run afoul of NY’s antidiscrimination statutes.
I love my alma mater! =)
I’d like something like this to happen at West Virginia University. Of course, someone would have to admit there are gay people here, first…
We deserve extra pay and special treatment because we’re superior.
Go Syracuse!
@Jason in WV: I think WV is considering an employment discrimination bill right now. So there’s some acknowledgement.
Jason – not that people have to think clearly, but what exactly SHOULD be divisive about treating people fairly?
If a Gay person pays taxes on partner benefits and the married person doesn’t, this should be a NON issue, not a DIVISIVE issue. We are talking about University employees – who should be smart enough to figure out what is going on.
Then again, I’ve heard stories about various professional people getting “gift bags” at conferences, and if the contents are not exactly the same, it causes problems….
I agree with Jaroslaw.
Go Syracuse University!!
Yipee!! I’m proud to be an orange man. Glad to see my old stomping ground is trying to do the right thing.