DeKALB | NIU made itself more competitive in its ability to recruit and retain employees by offering same-sex domestic partner benefits.

On May 8, 2006, Governor Rod Blagojevich filed an administrative order to extend health benefits to same-sex domestic partners of all state employees in the agencies directly within the Governor’s jurisdiction. On July 1, 2006, same-sex domestic partners became eligible to receive benefits through their state-employed partner. This offer also was extended to colleges and universities that were given until May 12 to opt in, which NIU did.

“Bottom line, what it means for NIU employees is that employees that are same-sex domestic partners will, for the first time, get equal benefits with employees who have opposite sex spouses,” said Margie Cook, director of the LGBT resource center. “So it’s a huge step forward to treating our employees equally.”

Meeting employee needs

NIU now joins the ranks of several Big Ten schools and Fortune 500 companies in offering these types of benefits.

“A number of people are realizing that to be competitive in this day and age, you need to offer all employees the same coverage and benefits that other employees get,” said Norden Gilbert, chair of the NIU Presidential Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

Gilbert said potential employees now even inquire as to whether these benefits are offered, which can aid in their decision to become a part of the university.

Prior to this policy, employees who were in a same-sex relationship were not able to provide their partner with health-care benefits, nor were they allowed to take bereavement leave in the case of a partner’s death. Offering these benefits puts employees in same-sex domestic relationships on a level closer to married employees.

“The university functions better when its employees feel more comfortable in their place of work,” said Deborah Haliczer, director of employee relations in human resources. “There is more productivity and it enhances commitment to the university, so it’s a good strategy.”

The exact number of employees who have signed up for domestic partner benefits is not available. Around the state, on average, about 10 in every 4,000 employees sign up for domestic partner benefits, Haliczer said.

While the number may not seem significant, a number of people have been lobbying for these rights over the last few years, Gilbert said.

Stephanie Kohl is a diversity beat reporter for the Northern Star.