However, a domestic partner is not considered a spouse under federal law.
Federal law treats benefits for spouses, children and certain dependents the same way. Under federal tax law, the portion of an insurance premium that your employer pays for your coverage is not taxed as income. How will the domestic partner benefits be taxed? If you are not out at work and concerned that enrolling in benefits will result in discrimination, find out whether your company has a confidentiality policy that would prevent disclosure to managers and co-workers. Does my organization have a confidentiality policy?
However, to ensure that your sexual orientation cannot be held against you, verify that your company has this policy before signing up for benefits. Nearly all companies that provide domestic partner benefits will also have an anti-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation. First, does your organization have a non-discrimination statement that includes sexual orientation?