Equal Benefits for Gay Employees Don’t Cost Small Businesses Much

For the past two weeks, CAP has reported on the results of a nationwide poll of small businesses that we commissioned last month.[1] These results show a majority of small-business owners support laws such as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, which would outlaw employment discrimination against gay and transgender workers.[2] This poll also reveals that most small-business owners already prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and that the majority report zero costs associated with their inclusive nondiscrimination policies. Another finding is that many small-business owners offer equal health insurance benefits to gay employees and their families, including same-sex domestic partners, spouses, and legally adopted children. The results demonstrate that the costs associated with equal health care benefits are insignificant for most small businesses.

For more on this topic, please see:

• Equal Benefits for Gay Couples Are Inexpensive by Crosby Burns and Jeff Krehely