The Supremes have spoken. Gay marriage is now recognized across the land. The ruling is generally good news for employers, since it resolves potentially dangerous discriminatory situations arising from disparate treatment of domestic partners and traditionally married couples. It appears that the general rule is what is good for the opposite sex spouse will hold for same sex spouses. Obviously that will simplify matters to a significant degree.
However, regarding domestic partner benefits, employers would be wise not to tamper with existing plans until there is more clarity with respect to the Court’s ruling and state law. No doubt there are attorneys salivating over the prospect of opposite sex couples losing their domestic partner benefits as their employer too hastily jettisons the benefits assuming they are now obsolete.
Here’s an article outlining the decision and its impact on employers.