Citigroup to Cover Travel Expenses for U.S. Staff Seeking Abortion
March 18, 2022
In Texas, Citigroup has more than 8,500 employees
According to Bloomberg. Last year, the state banned abortions after detecting a fetal heartbeat, which can occur around six weeks into a pregnancy. Under the law, individuals can sue anyone who “aids and abets” an abortion after the deadline, including doctors, clinic workers, and people who transport a pregnant woman to and from an abortion clinic.
Earlier this week, the Idaho House of Representatives approved a six-week abortion bill modeled on Texas law. The Idaho Senate approved the bill earlier this month, and the bill is now headed to Gov. Brad Little for his signature. The law may come into force in April Washington Post. Citi joins a number of companies that have provided employee resources in response to stringent abortion laws. Axios. Lyft and Uber have announced they will cover the legal costs of drivers sued under Texas law.
According to Bloomberg, Match Group Inc.
From Dallas, which owns some of the largest dating apps, said it will create a fund to cover the costs of employees and their dependents who need care outside of Texas. Austin-based Bumble has set up a similar fund. Citigroup’s bid also included updates on other health and wellness programs. Starting in early 2020, the company expanded its paid parental leave policy to allow employees to receive 16 weeks of paid maternity leave or four weeks of paid parental leave.
Citi is also expanding its gender validation health coverage and including it in its basic health care plan worldwide. To combat fatigue, the company launched two different sabbatical programs that allow employees to recharge for 12 weeks or volunteer for a charity for up to four weeks.
“More and more companies are forced to take a stand on issues
Because of the demands of some stakeholders that are opposed by other stakeholders,” said Witold Hoenisch, director of the Political Risk Lab at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Reuters“Millennials and consumers are demanding that companies take a stand and reach out to CEOs, especially when the government has been inactive or has taken a stand they don’t approve of,” he said. “This will continue to grow as a strategic challenge for companies.”
