Court Ruling on Employee Benefits

A message from Laurita Thomas, Associate Vice President for Human Resources

February 2, 2007

Colleagues,

In 2004 the voters in Michigan approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as "a union between one man and one woman." A lawsuit was brought against the state by the ACLU and others to clarify whether the amendment prohibits public institutions from offering health benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of employees. In 2005, the Ingham Circuit Court ruled that the amendment did not prohibit such benefits.

However, today the Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that the marriage amendment "prohibits public employers from recognizing same-sex unions for any purpose," including the provision of employee health benefits. We are deeply disappointed by this ruling. It is our understanding that the ACLU plans to appeal this decision to the Michigan Supreme Court and seek an immediate stay while the case is appealed. We will continue to support these efforts.

In addition, the law allows us to honor our commitments to provide agreed-upon benefits through the end of the calendar year, or through the end of the current contract for bargained-for employee groups.

As an employer, we offer benefits to our employees and their dependents in order to recruit and retain the very best faculty and staff. Our benefits program allows us to be competitive with peer institutions, including private universities, across the country. It also clearly demonstrates our commitment to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. We will continue to promote access to health benefits for our employees and their families.

If you have questions about your U-M benefits, please contact the HR Service Center at (734) 615-2000.

Laurita Thomas

Associate Vice President for Human Resources

VOICES OF LEADERSHIP

08.29.07 Seven universities file amicus brief in the Michigan Supreme Court (PDF)

02.05.07 Court rules against same-sex domestic partner benefits

12.09.05 U-M and WSU amicus brief filed with Court of Appeals

10.03.05 Judge rules in favor of same-sex domestic partner benefits

07.08.05 U-M and WSU court brief supporting SSDP benefits (PDF)

03.22.05 Letter from President Coleman to the University Community

12.20.04 Message from Provost Courant to Deans
 
12.03.04 Letter from Vice President of Student Affairs E. Royster Harper

11.04      Message from Laurita Thomas to the University Community

10.14.04 Message from President Coleman to the Faculty and Staff Community
 

RESOURCES & RELATED INFORMATION

U-M Policy on Same-Sex Domestic Partner Benefits

Registering a Same-Sex Domestic Partnership

Tax Obligations for Same-Sex Domistic Partnerships
 
Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits for Same-Sex Domestic Partners
 
Need to Contact the Benefits Office about SSDP Benefits?
 
Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs

Benefit Resources for Same-Sex Domestic Partners
(A Benefits Office publication; PDF 708 KB)

University Nondiscrimination Statement
(February 23, 2005)

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