Companies Adapting to Marriage Decision

A consultant with Indianapolis-based FirstPerson Benefit Advisors says “language is key” when it comes to businesses adapting to same-sex marriage in Indiana. Katy Stowers says companies need to examine their benefits packages and determine how the term “spouse” is defined. She says companies can still choose to limit benefits to opposite-sex couples. However, Stowers says employee expectations have changed, and such a move could open the door to lawsuits or recruiting challenges. She addressed the issue on this weekend's edition of Inside INdiana Business Television. Earlier this month, the United States Supreme Court rejected appeals concerning same-sex marriage from four states, including Indiana. That decision left lower court decisions that ruled the state's ban unconstitutional intact.

Multiple Indiana companies already offer benefits to same-sex spouses. Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE: LLY) and Columbus-based Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) have been outspoken opponents of adding an amendment further defining marriage to the Indiana Constitution.

In a statement after the court declined to take up the case, Eli Lilly called continued effort on the issue “disruptive and a waste of time.”

Sources: FirstPerson Benefit Advisors, InsideINdianaBusiness