Indeed offers trans employees $10,000 to relocate to safer states

This blog originally appeared at Pink News.

Job search platform Indeed has launched a new $10,000 payment scheme for their transgender employees to help them relocate to safer areas in the United States.

Amidst the increasing polarization in the United States regarding transgender rights and healthcare, along with the enactment of laws and policies in certain states that significantly affect the LGBTQ+ community, specific organizations and corporations are beginning to take a stand.

Although Indeed Inc. introduced this initiative to support transgender employees in July, it has only recently become public knowledge, as reported by Bloomberg.

Under this initiative, transgender employees or employees with transgender family members in their immediate household will be eligible for a $10,000 payment. This financial assistance is intended to facilitate their relocation to states that still provide gender-affirming care and are generally more inclusive and accepting of individuals seeking such care.

One employee, Sam Burger, disclosed to the publication that they promptly utilized the initiative as soon as it was introduced by Indeed Inc.

Burger, aged 30, who prefers they/them pronouns, holds the position of senior content creator at the company. They made the decision to utilize the funding to depart from their hometown in Austin, Texas, and establish their new residence in Denver, Colorado.

Upon learning that they would receive the financial support, Burger described the experience as a profound relief, sharing their sentiments with Bloomberg.

Since their move to Denver, accompanied by their dog and two cats, Burger has noted a significantly more welcoming atmosphere and has found local medical services to be much more accommodating compared to their previous experiences in Austin. They have expressed their intention to pursue gender-affirming surgery and hormone therapy in the near future.

Burger is one of the few employees who have participated in the program thus far. Other LGBTQ+ employees, particularly those residing in Texas and Florida, have conveyed concerns about their prospects in those states.

Misty Gaither, Indeed’s VP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, explained that the company has been collaborating with a business resource group for LGBTQ+ employees to determine the most effective response to the increasing number of states passing laws restricting LGBTQ+ healthcare.

Indeed conducted a survey earlier this year, which revealed that 62 percent of transgender individuals felt compelled to manage their identity while at work, with 38 percent experiencing pressure to conceal their identity altogether. Furthermore, 57 percent believed it was important for their employer to provide LGBTQ+-specific benefits, yet only 23 percent reported having such benefits in their current employment.

By extending a $10,000 payment to concerned employees, the company is aligning with its $10,000 annual reimbursement limit for employee travel expenses incurred outside of the state for medical purposes.

Indeed Inc. will cover any resulting tax liability arising from this payment, as it is regarded as income, according to Gaither.

The company, headquartered in Texas, acknowledges that this new initiative may face potential public, stakeholder, or state official backlash.

Nevertheless, Indeed appears prepared to handle any potential criticism or opposition.

Additionally, Indeed is not the sole company making efforts to support its transgender employees.

Intuit has introduced a similar relocation payment program for its employees, while Netflix and Amazon offer reimbursement of up to $10,000 for travel expenses associated with out-of-state healthcare.

Starbucks offers coverage for gender-affirming care for transgender employees and assistance in locating appropriate healthcare providers, while Meta aims to facilitate access to gender-affirming care for its employees and their dependents through its employee benefits package.

Although these initiatives represent a modest beginning, they have the potential to be profoundly transformative and even life-saving for LGBTQ+ employees. Hopefully, this trend will continue to gain momentum.

As Denver resident Sam Burger aptly puts it, “Individuals desire to work for a company they perceive as taking care of its employees.”