Unisys policy is also rooted in a sense of social responsibility. I think it s the right thing to do in a socially diverse workforce in a socially diverse workplace, Cognetta said. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota added domestic partner benefits in 1998 for many of the same reasons as Unisys. We looked at it for competitive reasons and we embrace diversity, said Carl Oestereich, corporate spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota. Things are so competitive.
Someone can just go across the street to get another job offer.
Oestereich knows of no customer backlash as a result of the policy. It s been very well-received, he said, referring to both customers and employees. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota has 3,577 employees in Eagan and 3,609 in Minnesota. Dakota County government and city governments in the county do not offer domestic-partnership benefits, barred from doing so by a state law that restricts benefits to those legally defined as dependents. Ventura s initiative, if successful, may change this law.