Workplace Information for LGBT Staff and Faculty

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If you're LGBT staff or faculty at UVM, the following information about Human Resource Services (HRS) and workplace issues may be of help. (For general information about HRS and benefits, see their website).

Same-Sex Couples Benefits - Health Care - Bias and Discrimination

Same-Sex Couples Benefits
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The University of Vermont provides the same benefits package options to same-sex spouses and civil union partners as it does to heterosexual spouses.

The State of Vermont's marriage law allows individuals to extend healthcare coverage (medical and dental) to a civil union partner or same-sex spouse and his/her dependents. By law, this coverage extension is exempt from Vermont state income tax, but not from federal income tax or Social Security and Medicare tax (since the federal government doesn't recognize same-sex unions). Benefits and restriction details on taxable income, Flexible Spending Accounts and 403 (b) Retirement Inheritance are available on the HRS website .

Health Care
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Vermont Diversity Health Project

The VDHP helps patients identify friendly, supportive and effective healthcare providers, and offers training and support to enhance providers’ skill in working with LGBTQ people.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Transgender Health Benefits (PDF File)

The UVM insurance plan now includes services for Gender Reassignment Surgery and Gender Reassignment Therapy from a Network or non-Network Provider up to $75,000 per lifetime, subject to Coinsurance, Deductibles, Co-payments with certain requirements and limitations. Detail are outlined in the link above.

Trouble at your workplace due to homophobia or transphobia?
Facing issues related to coming out or gender transition at your job?
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Victims of bias and discrimination can experience shame and embarassment and are often reluctant to report on it or openly talk about it. Unchallenged and unreported bias relieves the perpetrator of any accountability and reinforces the message that, "It's okay to speak or behave in this manner."

Documented incidents of bias and discrimination through the UVM system and processes offer meaninful statistics that can eradicate homophobia and transphobia in the workplace.

If you experience or witness a bias incident, please contact us and file a Bias Report through the Police Services website. We can also help educate and train co-workers and supervisors around LGBT issues.

The Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity is another important resource when dealing with homophobic or transphobic discrimination or harassment on the job.

UVM, in its “Our Common Ground,” states, “As a just community, we unite against all forms of injustice, including, but not limited to, racism. We reject bigotry, oppression, degradation, and harassment, and we challenge injustice toward any member of our community.”

Additionally, sexual orientation is one of the protected classes in UVM’s non-discrimination policy, and a group of people are currently working to add gender identity and gender expression to the policy. For more details, see our non-discrimination policy page. All of this means that employment discrimination at UVM is unacceptable.

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