Companies in the U.S. will now need to consider employee abortion rights seriously. In fact, this had already been a significant issue in the past. However, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade recently, the concern over employee abortion rights has grown in different sectors. In fact, this historic decision of the U.S. Supreme Court has taken away from Americans their constitutional right to seek an abortion. Moreover, it has also effectively banned the procedure in 26 states.
This historic decision can have a great economic impact, mostly on low-wage workers and people of color. In fact, it can result in numerous women leaving the workforce. This in turn will take their household income much below the federal poverty line. In fact, the Black and Latinx people might be the worst sufferers economically. In a condition where one out of four women undergoes abortion in their lifetimes, abortion access needs to be preserved. It will help the individuals to stay on the way to economic advancement. Therefore, it will also have a positive impact on the broader economy.
In fact, in a survey conducted last year,64% of college-educated workers claimed that they would not work in a state that has banned abortion. Therefore for companies, it has become essential to take steps to protect employee abortion rights. Doing this will expand their talent pool. Read the article to know the ways in which employers can ensure that their employees have access to reproductive healthcare.
Ways To Secure Employee Abortion Rights
With the Roe being overturned by the court, the employers have to play an active role to reduce the gaps in reproductive healthcare access. These are a few ways in which an employer may ensure employee abortion rights :
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1. Expanding The Horizon of Reproductive Healthcare Coverage
With the growing need of securing employee abortion rights, employers have to review their healthcare benefits packages. They have to check what aspects of reproductive healthcare fall in and out of their coverage. The things that need attention in this regard are the types of abortion, timelines, statewide policies and shifts, and reimbursement policies. In fact, after taking into concern all these elements, they need to take steps to address those gaps.
Employers also need to think of adding such benefits that might help their employees needing abortion or any other reproductive healthcare services. In fact, these benefits might include the conveyance allowances for those who have to travel out of the States with restrictive health policies. Moreover, these measures may also include remote work policies, childcare benefits, flexible paid time-off, and emergency funds.
In addition, employers have to think of ways to support part-time workers and low-wage workers with supplemental financial and administrative support. In fact, many companies like Microsoft, Levi Strauss, and Starbucks have taken steps to provide travel costs for healthcare needs.
2. Supporting The Overall Wellbeing
Apart from providing support to employees for reproductive healthcare needs, employers need to do much more. In fact, snatching away the abortion rights has affected the physical health, mental health, and emotional health of many people. Therefore, the companies need to access the emotional and mental well-being of their employees on a regular basis.
Moreover, they should also invite their employees to discuss their issues and concerns. Employers should also think of providing their employees access to mental health services. All these are essential things to do, that might also help in securing employee abortion rights. Moreover, the companies also need to clarify their stunts on the abortion issue, both internally and externally. This will in turn make workers feel safe and supported.
3. Encouraging Civic Engagement
The employers also need to address the concerns of all those who are aware of or are involved in debates about abortion rights. They may ensure that their paid-time-off policy supports the fundamental rights of their employees to vote and participate in debates about their issues of concern. They can also access how the state policies interact with their policies. In case of any conflict, they have to think of ways to solve them.
Concluding Lines
Therefore, these are a few ways that would enable the companies and employers to ensure that their employees have access to reproductive healthcare. In fact, this is the need of the hour. Detailed information.
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