Globe moves to recognize the “qualified dependents” of its employees in same-sex relationships. With this, the company becomes one of the still-few companies in the Philippines to extend similar benefits to dependents of its employees who come from the LGBTQIA community.
But before celebrating, note that the company policy – which took shape on January 1, 2020, in what’s being packaged as a “landmark move supportive of SDG No. 5 promoting gender equality” – only covers all regular employees who contracted marriage with their same-sex partners in countries where the same-sex union is legal.
Meaning: Filipino employees whose relationships are not recognized by the State because marriage equality is still not legal here are NOT included.
In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations’ Global Compact and committed to implement sustainability principles hinged on four pillars that include Digital Nation, Care for the Environment, Care for People, and Positive Societal Impact. Globe has been supportive of the 10 SDG principles in action that promote diversity and inclusion, especially in the workplace.
“Globe has always been respectful and cognizant of gender equality. We hope that by showing concrete examples of how truly diverse and inclusive our company is, our LGBTQ+ employees will be more inspired, motivated to work harder and feel the importance and care we now formally extend to their legal spouses,” said Renato Jiao, Globe’s chief human resource officer.
Globe defines a “same-sex spouse” as “the same-sex partner of an employee, who is married, joined or registered in a country where same-sex marriage, civil union, civil partnership or registered partnership is legally accepted and is cohabiting with him/her.”
As dependents, same-sex legal spouses are entitled to the following company initiated benefits: in-patient and out-patient medical coverage (all employees), dental (executive-level employees), leave credits due to illness in the family that requires hospital confinement (all employees), and bereavement leave.
As an additional beneficiary, same-sex legal husbands or wives are also entitled to Group Life and Accidental Death insurance (all employees); bereavement assistance (all employees); and Retirement Death Benefit (all employees).
