Cassandra Labbees, Member of the Firm in the Employee Benefits practice, in the firm’s New York office, was quoted in Law360 Employment Authority, in “Employers Weigh Risks, Benefits of Backing Abortion Access,” by Anne Cullen. (Read the full version – subscription required.)
Following is an excerpt:
… A leaked opinion from the nation's highest court that would overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision demonstrates that ending the federal right to abortion likely has the support of at least five justices. A final decision upending Roe could result in abortion prohibitions in 25 states and three territories, largely in the South and the Midwest, according to data from the Center for Reproductive Rights. …
"I definitely think more employers are going to take public stances, or even within their own workforce, let them know they have enhanced benefits," said Epstein Becker Green member Cassandra Labbees.
Outside the import of standing up for what they believe in, employers that offer comprehensive reproductive care benefits to their workforces are protecting their team members' health and boosting their ability to attract and keep talent, especially younger workers …
"Banning abortion doesn't ban abortion, it just bans safe abortion," Labbees said. "As an employer who wants to keep your employees safe, one way to do that is to provide services under your plan to make sure they have access to safe medical care." …
'A Lot to Consider' …
... [O]utside of Rubio's proposed bill — which faces an uncertain future in a Congress where Democrats still hold the majority — the legal risks have yet to materialize. A company's decision may come down to its values, said Epstein Becker [Green]'s Labbees.
"Because of the uncertainty in this situation, for some employers, it's about what they believe," Labbees said.
