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News :: Civil & Human Rights |
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Community Organizing and Lesbian’s Lawsuit Cause Change in Policy at Carle Foundation Hospital |
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by kkranich
Email: kakranich (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified!) |
17 Jun 2005
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Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, IL announced on Tuesday that it will now offer some benefits to its employees in same-sex domestic partnerships.
The change in policy comes after a three-year legal battle by former pediatric nurse manager, Lynn Sprout, who was fired after coming out while caring for her dying same-sex partner of 18 years.
Numerous demonstrations outside the hospital in support of Ms. Sprout and news coverage of these demonstrations during Ms. Sprout’s legal battle put public pressure on the hospital to change its policies. Ms. Sprout, whose complaint of discrimination was upheld by the Urbana Human Relations Commission last November, ended her legal case in April, 2005 when she settled with the hospital in a confidential agreement. |
According to a press release from Carle Foundation Hospital, the hospital will offer the following benefits on July 1, 2005 to its employees in same-sex domestic partnerships:
1) Discounts at Carle Foundation businesses
2) Ability to purchase supplemental life insurance
3) Funeral leave
4) Additional leave to care for a domestic partner (similar to family leave)
5)Access to the Carle Fitness Center
6) Access to the Employee Assistance Program.
Missing from the list are health benefits. The partners of employees in same-sex relationships at Carle Foundation Hospital and Clinic must still find their own health insurance, unlike the legally married heterosexual spouses of Carle employees.
James Leonard, M.D., president and CEO of Carle Foundation, says, in the press release, “Domestic partner benefits have been in the works for more than three years. Today, we are proud to expand our compensation package to meet the needs of our employees.”
Ms. Sprout wanted three things in her legal fight against the hospital: her job back, back pay, and a policy change at the hospital. With the community organizing effort behind her, Ms. Sprout accomplished all of these goals except getting her job back.
Good employees working inside the hospital, including some openly lesbian and gay employees, worked hard to make a policy change. This combination of internal negotiations, external pressure and the lawsuit were all key to this victory!
Congratulations!!!! |
See also:
http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display_any/14120
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