Domestic Partnership Essay Example for Free

Domestic Partnership Essay The advantages gained by providing benefits to domestic partners can outweigh the costs. This report will define domestic partnerships, outline the various benefits available for dependants, provide analysis related to the cost of providing benefits to dependants of domestic partnerships, discuss various benefit package options and related costs, and provide details related to the value the company stands to gain by offering such benefits. Domestic Partnership Domestic partnerships are generally thought of as a relationship between two members of the same sex. While same sex relationships garner most of the attention, domestic partnerships are not always between members of the same sex. California Family Code Section 297 defines domestic partners as â€Å"two adults who have chosen to share one another’s lives in an intimate and committed relationship of mutual caring. To establish a domestic partnership in California, a couple must file a Declaration of Domestic Partnership with the Secretary of the State, share a common residence, not be married or in a domestic partnership with someone else, not be related by blood, both are over the age of 18, both are the same sex, or opposite sex over the age of 62 and meet the eligibility criteria under the Social Security Act. Legal Issues Currently, 18 states offer domestic partner benefits for same-sex partners of state employees. Several state and local governments that offer health insurance and other benefits to employees’ unmarried domestic partners are currently facing lawsuits. Proponents of the Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMA) claim these constitutional amendments prohibit governments from offering such benefits to any dependent of a relationship that does not fit the state’s constitutional definition of marriage. Both gay-rights advocates and the American Civil Liberties Union dispute such amendments and are currently engaging DOMA proponents in courts across America in attempts to resolve their differences (Gentile, 2006). The costs associated with defending such legal matters can prove to be very cumbersome. Types of Employer Benefits When seeking employment, benefit packages play a major role in attracting and keeping employees. Employer benefits consist of more than the basic medical, dental, and vision plans. A variety of additional benefits being sought after by potential employees include, but are not limited to, retirement plans, life insurance and the family medical leave act. To qualify for domestic partner benefits, employees may be asked to sign a statement or submit an affidavit asserting they live with a domestic partner and are financially interdependent† (Greenwald, 2003). Health Insurance â€Å"For most nonelderly people in the United States, health insurance and access to health care derive from one’s own or a family member’s employment† (Ash and Badgett, 2006). In all fairness, these types of benefits should be offered to these types of families under the cu rrent guidelines of Domestic Partnership. Two levels of benefits are offered by employers, single coverage and family coverage. Single employees are at a disadvantage when it comes to compensation because some employers offer their employees a flexible benefit to assist with costs. These benefits will include all the same privileges that legally recognized families are currently receiving. The entitlement shall consist of doctor’s visits, prescription drug coverage, hospitalization, and eye exams (Briggs, 1994). Dental Benefits Dental care is an essential benefit which should be available to all family members. Preventive dental care could significantly reduce loss of productivity and catch problems before they become chronic or severe† (Gustin, 2003). Dental benefits are very affordable and valuable. One available option is for this company to offer dental as a voluntary option. This would enable the employees and their domestic partner to take advantage of the dental plan at a group rate, but the employee woul d be responsible for the cost (Gustin, 2003). Retirement/401K Retirement Plans and 401K’s are benefits that are only available to employees; however, choosing beneficiaries is a very important detail to these plans. Although domestic partners cannot be given all of the rights of spouses, plans can be structured to provide them with many of the benefits available for spouses† (Davis, 2007). In addition to being named as beneficiary, a hardship withdrawal can be taken based on the need of the domestic partner, and domestic partners will have the right to rollover death benefits (Davis, 2007). Life Insurance Employee life insurance is available at a more affordable rate through employer plans. Adding family members is an optional benefit. Under this plan, domestic partners and children would be entitled to life insurance coverage for just pennies a day. This would incur no expense for the employer and the employee would benefit from a group rate. Cost to Employees and Employers The cost of healthcare is on the rise and no end to this crisis is in sight. Most people believe all employers should offer health insurance to its employees; however, with the cost of healthcare so high companies who offer these benefits are trying to find ways to offset costs. If all employers did offer health, dental, and life insurance, who would cover the cost? A survey administered by the Commonwealth Fund titled The Public’s Views on Healthcare Reform in the 2008 Presidential Election asked that question to 3,500 randomly selected adults. 70% of people surveyed thought the cost should be shared equally between the employer, employees, and the government. 80% of the people surveyed also thought that if an employer did not offer health insurance they should contribute to the cost of coverage (Lubell, 2008). Tax Equity The Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act of 2007 was introduced March 29, 2007. The act states employers offering healthcare insurance have to provide healthcare coverage to domestic partners, same-sex or opposite sex. This law has been added to stop federal tax inequalities same-sex couples currently face when receiving healthcare benefits offered by their employers (Postal, 2007). The new law significantly affected employers in the Northeast and Western states because 42% of larger companies in the Northeast, and 38% of companies in the West have same-sex domestic partner healthcare coverage. Only 14% of large companies in the Midwest and 10% of companies in the south have this type of coverage (Cohen, 2004). Dual Coverage Because the cost of healthcare has increased 15% since 2003, some states in the U. S. have prohibited employees from claiming their spouses/domestic partners as dependents; thus, prohibiting dual coverage in the workforce. Banning dual coverage for these employees saves the state tax payers several million dollars per year while the employees and their families have suitable health insurance coverage. Employees rely on dual health insurance coverage to cover out of pocket costs resulting from procedures which are not fully covered by their primary carrier. Dual coverage insurance can save families hundreds, if not thousands of dollars per year, but can potentially cost the employer hundreds or thousands more (Employer-Sponsored, 2004). Annual Cost According to a research study performed by The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Education Trust in 2006, private employers nationwide spend an average of $4,242 for single coverage and $11,480 for family coverage on employer sponsored health insurance coverage annually (Employer Health, 2006). Whether the employee is a single hetero-sexual or homo-sexual the rate for single coverage remains the same. The same for family coverage, the married hetero-sexual couple and the same-sex or opposite-sex domestic partners family coverage cost also remains the same. Employees are paying an average of $1,860 for single coverage and $4,848 for family coverage annually. These costs are causing employers to raise workers’ insurance premiums or reduce coverage. Some companies perform internal audits to eliminate ineligible dependents, older children, and ex-spouses/ex-domestic partners. If an employer finds dependents on an employees’ insurance that should not have been covered, the employee is required to pay back medical bills and insurance premiums through payroll deductions (Employer-Sponsored, 2004). Using information from these internal audits employers may notice a slight domestic partner enrollment increase: 0. 1%-0. 3% for gay and lesbian partners and 1. 3%-1. 8% for heterosexual partners. The increase in enrollment does not significantly affect the annual cost to the employer for employer-sponsored benefits provided to domestic partners and their families (Ash and Badgett, 2006). Benefits to the Company Healthcare continues to be a concern to both employees and employers. Employers are developing and offering programs and incentives to attract various types of workers, including those in domestic partner relationships, to attract more qualified candidates. Making benefits available to an employee’s domestic partner, a company is likely to hire and retain an employee whose work output is optimal. Employees in a domestic partner relationship appreciate their employer considering their particular need which results in a higher production rate. Davis 2007). Increased Productivity An employee who is healthy and has a healthy family is less likely to call in sick and take unnecessary time off to care for his or her family. In a study conducted by Ipsos-Reid (2004), two main contributors to employee absenteeism are depression and stress. Health benefits made available to an employee and his or her domestic partner can help reduce these factors. Mark Cauthen, benefit manager for the city of Colorado Springs, believes if one’s dependents feel better, the employee is more productive and focused at work (Wojcik, 2007). Preventative Measures Many companies have recognized the importance of helping employees manage their work and personal lives. Some of the more common preventive measure benefits currently being offered to employees, their domestic partners, and other immediate family members residing in the home are: wellness, flu shots, and fitness programs. Offering these various programs help the employee feel the employer cares for the health of his or her family resulting in increased productivity (Meghji 2007). Lower attrition rates An employer must also be concerned with the effect of employee retention. Currently 50% of Fortune 500 companies are providing benefits to employees involved in same sex domestic partnerships and heterosexual partnerships. Conclusion Offering benefits to domestic partners makes good business sense. While providing benefits to domestic partners may slightly increase employer cost, the benefits will prove profitable. As the research has indicated, enrollment will increase slightly which will not pose a financial hardship to any corporation.

Lessons about Writing in the Works of Various Artists Essay -- essays

Most recently, I have read several powerful essays in Exploring Language, by Gary Goshgarian, which give straightforward advice about becoming a better writer. One such essay is ?Writing for an Audience,? by Linda Flower. She believes that a good piece of writing closes the gap between the reader and the writer. Another essay that I will be looking at is Getting Started,? by Anne Lamott. She believes that good writing is about telling the truth. Patricia T. O?Conner wrote an interesting essay titled ?Saying is Believing.? In it, she tells us that a good writer is one that you can read without breaking a sweat. Which leads me to the final essay that has helped influence my writing style, ?How to Write with Style,? by Kurt Vonnegut. He contends that your own winning style must begin with ideas in your mind. The essays written by Flower, Lamott, O?Conner and Vonnegut have supplied me with a multitude of lessons and advice, so that I may improve my writing skills and engage my reader better. The first thing that struck me as important is that the writing style must change to meet the different needs and demands of the individual reader. Linda Flower states in her essay, ?Writing for an Audience,? that ?a good piece of writing closes the gap between you and the reader? (156). Before I knew this, I tended to write for an audience of robots, while I now understand that my reader?s have unique faces and personalities of their own. In her essay, Ms. Flower gives concise explanations of my audience?s needs. What does my reader?s need to know? Can they easily digest what I am writing about? What is my audience?s attitude towards my subject matter? For example, I?m going to write an essay about my dog. First, I need to d... ...l quickly loose interest and almost immediately toss my work aside for something more thought provoking. My goal is to continue learning how to improve my writing. Each essay brought valuable information that I will continue to use throughout my college years and beyond. I found it intriguing that some of the essays conveyed the same lesson, an example, ?Writing With Style,? Mr. Vonnegut stresses that language is very important within an essay, Ms Flower concurs with this advice in ?Writing for an Audience.? The essays written by Flower, Lamott, O?Conner and Vonnegut have supplied me with a multitude of lessons and advice so that I may improve my writing skills and engage my reader better. In conclusion, I would like to say with Patricia O?Conner that, ?[a] good writer can express an extremely complicated idea clearly and make the job look effortless? (180).

Teenagers Woking and Studying in the Same Time

In some countries, teenagers have jobs while they are still students for different reasons. They work either need money to help their parents or to get experience. Some people think that have job and study in same time is not a good idea, because can damage their grade. But, I think that this is a good idea. I believe that the money them earn is necessary to some teenager. In addition, the young people might learn some things in the practice before start the University. In my opinion, the teenagers become more responsible. In my country, Brazil, is very common teenagers work during the day and study at night. This young people generally need the money, because their families are very poor and can't afford all expenses. In this case, the student need work, otherwise they don't have possibility of study. Thus, is a good idea work, because working the student will be able to study, and in the future they will have a better job. Other reason is that they get experience earlier. The teenagers learn the things in practice before start the University. This may help them get better jobs in the future. I have some friends that during the high school have worked. As they start the course in the Universities, they already had a good job. Finally, in my view teenager have a job while they are students yet become them more responsible. I would like explain why. When the young work and study in the same time, they learn to manager their schedule to be able do all the things. As a result, they pass less time playing video game or in the internet. To sum up, although some people think that the teenager students should just study, I believe that is a great idea work while they are in the school.

Edgar Allan Poe Bioscript - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 807 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2019/06/26 Category Literature Essay Level High school Topics: Edgar Allan Poe Essay Did you like this example? January 19, 1809, this was the time of birth to the creator of detective fiction, the alcoholic gambler, and literary pioneer, Edgar Allan Poe. With his birth came a new era for literature. An era filled with happiness, sorrow, and success. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Edgar Allan Poe Bioscript" essay for you Create order His birth parents, Elizabeth and David Poe, despite them being his parents there relevance would fade when his care fell to the Allans. This was due to his deceased mother and fathers abandonment, one year later. This sparked his tramatuce life and poor decisions with alcohol and gambling. Which then lead to his lifelong struggle with depression. Even though the Allans treated Edgar as their own, he didnt feel as though he belonged. At the age of six Edgar temporarily moved to Scotland with his parents and attended Irvine Old Grammar school, then switched to Manor House boarding school for eight years. After he attended the University of Virginia. He then started drinking heavily and quickly became in debt. Attempting to attain money from John Allan results with no sympathy and anger at Poe for dropping out of school With no money left he had to quit school and join the army in Boston. After the death of Mrs.Allan he returns home. It is only them when he and his father make amends and his fathers sponsors his attendance to West Point. This endeavor was quickly put to death when he realized he was in no shape to participate .He dilbritley got kicked out of West Point in 1831. Following his recent pattern of dramatic decisions, he becomes a full time writer and literary critic after struggling to make a living for several years.Seaking the help of Mr.Allan again results in no aid. Trying to support himself, he submits stories to magazines and is rejected again and again. In this time his adopted father dies leaving nothing to Poe in his will. In 1835 after winning a literary contest he lands a job as an editor of the Southern Literary Messenger . He began looking for a job to support his newly wed wife who was his thirteen year old cousin. Despite this being negatively viewed on in modern times having a wife( despite her being thirteen and being related) it served as a source of encouragement for finding a job. Poes complete lack of mercy when criticizing made him many enemies but the controversy attracted higher rates of purchase so he was allowed to continue. Poes contervitionalailty in criticism gained him such a high raise in awareness that he felt over qualified for Richmond so he left for New York. Within a duration of two years Poe publishes two more books the first Ligeria and the second which was published a year after the firstThe fall of the house of usher.After that publication he published Tales of the grotesque and arabesque . The Fall of the House of Usher was one of his most famous works and gave momentum to his career. This momentum led to his birth to the detective fiction genre. Its creation was phausable through the publishment of The Murders in the Rue Morgue which surpassed The Fall of the House of Usher in achievement to its name.Both works had popularity and were the start to his name once shadowed but when the works it authored were read it was envied by all. Poes life shifts before his next notable work is published. In New York he began working for a new magazine called Rams. He published Murders in the Rue Morgue the magazine had an additional 34000 in circulation within a year of Murders in the Rue Morgues publication. This brought him praise for its uniqueness in its time. While this praise was very high and the poem gave him fame he ceased to believe his worthiness. Around this time he was interviewed about his life and provided false information. This false information included a fake age and background. Edgar moved to Philadelphia in 1838. He continued to write classic pieces of detective literature like the raven in 1845, but his soon found happiness with his wife and his job as a literary critic came to end when his young wife died at the age of 24, this struck poe with griff and anger. This was going to be their 11th year of marriage but it was cut short because of her. Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe died of tuberculosis. Her death caused poe to struggle with his already bad depression and chronic alcoholism. With this he moved back to lowell, massachusetts and settled into his new life. His poems became more and more obsessed with his wife and her death. They also became more obscure like Lines on Ale and For Annie. He fell in love with Nancy L. Richmound, a married women. In 1849, he finally confessed his feelings for in a poem called For Annie