The trend of offering transplacement to significant others represents another dramatic workplace shift. When transplacement was first implemented four decades ago, the concept was framed by the traditional husband-wife relationship. Rarely were unmarried or gay and lesbian partners of transferred employees considered eligible for the employer-paid benefit. Denying transplacement to significant others is not in the best interest of companies today. In an intensely competitive atmosphere, companies work to retain their best people, no matter what their lifestyles.
Talented employees are a very precious commodity.