Reproductive Health & Justice

Reproductive Health & Justice–The Business Community’s Role in Protecting Employee Rights 

At Holistic, we believe that inclusion is central to creating an equitable and just society. Further, we believe it is our responsibility -- as individuals, as communities, as government and as companies -- to safeguard and cultivate an inclusive, fair experience for all in our midst.

The Texas Anti-Abortion Law, SB8, which limits access to abortion, threatens not only the right to choose but also the fundamental tenets of inclusion, interpersonal respect and justice on which our company is based. 

We have seen firsthand the essential role that companies and corporations, of all shapes and sizes, can and should play in the ongoing American discourse. In the past few years, as it relates to the ongoing and necessary racial reckoning, the response to the global pandemic, and more recently with respect to individual mental health, there have been myriad examples of companies stepping up and striding forward to lead. This is critical. 

At Holistic, we are deeply committed to the role that companies must play in protecting the rights and well-being of employees. Our commitment extends to all matters of the employee experience, from the right to work in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment to the broadest possible notion of health and wellness for our colleagues, reproductive health included. 

Further, we recognize that this commitment must start within our own walls. As such, we want to take this moment as a chance to reaffirm that the values we encourage other companies to adopt are reflected internally. To this end, we are taking action in the following ways:

  • We are using this newsletter to make space for Holistic teammates to express themselves, and to share any thoughts and feelings they have regarding these or any other matters. From time to time, organizationally, we will use our communications mechanisms as a vehicle for employee expression rather than our corporate promotion and communication. We encourage you to read below what our teammates have to say; feel free to respond or interact with them as you like. We are very proud of all of our teammates and honored to be a place where employees can feel comfortable in sharing their views and expressing themselves.

  • We are organizing a specific training for all Holistic employees about the history of reproductive health care in America, and we are preparing public facing trainings to ensure that these critical matters are included in our suite of training resources.

  • Holistic is adopting an additional policy in our handbook concerning reproductive health matters. This policy, which will be open-sourced in our permanent page on our website, is effective immediately and will be a fundamental recommendation that Holistic makes to all clients going forward. 

  • We have developed a list of sample statements and actions by other companies that have demonstrated leadership in this space. We will continue to monitor and update this information. It is available at the end of this newsletter, and it’s available at this link, which is a permanent home for these matters on our website.

At Holistic, we wholeheartedly support our employees and all those seeking necessary health care, especially in areas affected most by this bill. More importantly, we support all the companies and organizations around the nation in their ongoing effort and opportunity to shape a just, inclusive future for our employees and our families.

-The Holistic Team 

Sheila Shenoy (Consultant) 

The hard truth is that employee wellbeing is inextricably linked to employer support. Companies that have a people-first approach must advocate for parents, non-parents, and female-identifying individuals because these are the people that make up the modern workforce and their employee base. Without access to crucial reproductive health services and resources from their employers, employees will never be able to truly bring their whole selves to work.

Leah He (Data Analyst)

The Handmaid’s Tale is not fiction, it is happening. The Texas bill is not about “Pro-life” or “Pro-choice,” it’s a war on women and LGBTQ+ people. When it comes to our bodies, no politicians or strangers should get to decide what’s best for us – We’re not an incubator, we are human beings whose human rights matter.

This is a moment for reproductive justice awareness. Deciding not to have children is not shameful. The only shameful thing is a world in which women and LGBTQ+ people are treated like objects and can’t maintain our personal bodily autonomy.

Tanja Schroeder (Chief of Staff)

It is everything to work in an environment that creates space for learning (and unlearning), healing, and growth. This keeps me hopeful. Hopeful that the passion, advocacy, and desire for change that surrounds me, will one day be reflected on a macro level.

Gillian Pena (Associate Consultant)

Every day I wake up knowing that a simple policy can dictate what I do with my body. I feel like that's hard for some people to begin to conceptualize. Waking up every day in fear that a simple law can invade so much privacy. I don't understand why my body and reproductive organs are in politics. It is absolutely terrifying to know that any of these bills can take away my rights to choose what happens to my own body. I saw this amazing quote by Joan Chittisteer that sums up by feelings, "I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion, that it makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life; that's pro-birth."

Payton Orton (Intern)

It is disappointing to see the silence we are facing from Corporate America regarding the Texas Abortion Law. However, while these companies are staying silent, now is our time to stand up for reproductive rights for all. The right to have (or not have) an abortion should lie with that person, not by the state or anyone else. Although some may not agree with abortions, that does not mean that they should be able to control other people’s bodies. "My body, my choice" should be honored today, 60 years ago, and moving forward. It makes me proud to see Holistic stand up for reproductive rights. I am proud to intern for a company that encourages us to speak our minds and stand up for what we believe in. 

Katie Merkle (Consultant)

The Texas law violates fundamental human rights. Health care is a human right, and abortion is health care -1 in 4 women will have abortion. This violation is a further reminder that the bodies of women, trans, and queer folks are treated as political territory. 

Sunny Li (Director of Data)

Seeing the Anti-Abortion Law passed by Texas, I feel very surprised. How can the United States, known to the world for its freedom and openness, allow this to happen? Even if the government explicitly prohibits abortion, there will still be countless small groups and organizations that provide illegal abortion services. However, these illegal and irregular methods increase the risk of abortion and are likely to cause great harm to the person’s body, even one body, and two lives, causing a tragedy.

Maggie Heaps (Communications Associate)

It is important for us to provide companies with resources to support their employees in any way necessary, and I believe that includes issues of reproductive justice. Taking away the right to bodily autonomy goes against the very things we promote in our work and across our public platforms every day: equality, fairness of treatment, and justice. Those seeking reproductive healthcare, child-care support, mental health resources, and other necessary services deserve to be supported, not penalized, excluded, or vilified. 

Resources

The Afiya Center

  • Provides resources and abortion access to ignite and build a robust Black women centered Reproductive Justice movement in Texas, as well as life-enriching HIV programming and programs funding research that aid in lowering maternal mortality rates.

Ways companies can support reproductive rights

  • Check in on what your company’s health insurance covers

    • Companies should conduct an internal audit to ensure their health insurance for contraception not only meets but exceeds the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, covers abortion without restriction, and guarantees that contracted healthcare providers can meet all of their employees’ reproductive healthcare needs. 

    • Option: cover travel costs for employees who need access to reproductive health care outside of their home states due to legislative restrictions on abortion care.  

    • Another companies statement on health insurance: “We support employees in accessing centers of excellence for other medical issues, and we treat access to abortion the same way.”  

  • Examine political contributions: are you inadvertently supporting those who are undermining women’s healthcare? 

“The Business Case for Reproductive Health”

“Companies are often unaware of the benefits they provide for reproductive health and often may unintentionally limit contraceptive options and restrict coverage for abortion. Most women with health insurance currently do not know whether their coverage includes abortion.”

  • Provide high-impact benefits with low-cost investments

    • Coverage for contraception and abortion is inexpensive relative to companies’ overall health care costs, and evidence demonstrates that contraception is cost-saving. However, contraception and abortion can represent significant expenses for employees, especially low-wage or contract workers.

  • Ensure benefits support the spectrum of employees’ reproductive health needs 

    • In designing health plans, self-insured companies are not required to meet state mandates and they may overlook abortion or comprehensive contraception if insurance brokers or advisors do not raise the option.

    • Create a culture that encourages the use of reproductive health benefits by sharing clear information about coverage, and reduce stigma around comprehensive reproductive health in conversations about benefits, and providing flexibility to utilize services.

  • Comprehensive Reproductive Health Care Benefits Checklist (pg 30)

    • Contraception: In addition to achieving full compliance with the ACA contraceptive mandate:

      • Cover all FDA-approved birth control drugs, devices, products, and services, and vasectomies.

      • Ensure all contraceptive options are covered without cost-sharing.

      • Cover a 12-month supply of birth control dispensed at one time, without cost-sharing.

      • Cover over-the-counter emergency contraception without requiring a prescription.

    • Abortion

      • Cover abortion without restrictions (avoiding language such as “medically necessary”).

      • Cover the cost of travel to access abortion care when it is prohibitive.

    • Location

      • When assessing business footprint, including sites and conferences, assess state laws pertaining to access to reproductive healthcare and identify opportunities to inform or influence such policies.

  • More on policy guidance

    • Pregnancy discrimination policies

      • Educate managers and supervisors on state and federal pregnancy discrimination laws.

      • Develop best practices internally including training managers to cultivate a team effort to cover the position of the person on leave and to talk with pregnant employees about what accommodations they may need.

    • Paid parental leave

      • Paid parental leave has proven to increase job attachment by employees who use it and lead to higher wages and productivity. It also improves employee retention, especially in lower wage jobs.

      • Implement a paid parental leave program that provides full pay to employees who have a birth or adoption in their families for at least twelve weeks.

      • The importance of both parents receiving paid parental leave, not just one. 

Holistic’s Open-Sourced Reproductive Care Policy

At Holistic, we take the health and overall wellbeing of all employees seriously and believe that access to reproductive care is an issue of social justice. Therefore, this policy has been established to ensure that all Holistic employees can prioritize caring for themselves, including taking time off, when an urgent need for reproductive care arises. 

This policy protects and supports employees in the following ways:

  • Employees can request paid time off relating to a reproductive health matter without utilizing PTO. 

  • To respect privacy, an employee's time off request will be granted without requiring an explanation and/or supporting documentation. No questions will be asked.

A request should be emailed to an employee's direct supervisor simply stating they are taking time off due to a reproductive care matter. If you need additional support, please contact any member of the organization’s senior leadership, and they’ll help find the support.

Reproductive health and wellness encompass a broad spectrum. Therefore, this policy is designed to support employees across a multitude of reproductive health matters. These include, but are not limited to, seeking urgent care related to pregnancy, miscarriage, gender identity, lactation/breastfeeding, abortion, menstruation, menopause, etc. 

Corporate Actions & Statements on Reproductive Rights

Bumble

“Bumble is women-founded and women-led, and from day one we’ve stood up for the most vulnerable. We'll keep fighting against regressive laws like #SB8. Starting today, Bumble has created a relief fund supporting the reproductive rights of women and people across the gender spectrum who seek abortions in Texas.”

Match Group

Match CEO Shar Dubey’s full letter to employees:

“Today –SB8 went into effect in Texas. This law effectively prohibits abortion after 6 weeks, even in cases of rape and incest, and allows individuals to sue doctors or any private citizen who helps a woman obtain an abortion.

Since we are a Texas based company, we were asked by the media to comment. As I have said before, the company generally does not take political stands unless it is relevant to our business. But in this instance, I personally, as a woman in Texas, could not keep silent and have made this statement that you might see covered over the next few days.

I’m not speaking about this as the CEO of a company. I’m speaking about this personally, as a mother and a woman who has fervently cared about women’s rights, including the very fundamental right of choice over her body — this is a very sad day. I immigrated to America from India over 25 years ago and I have to say, as a Texas resident, I am shocked that I now live in a state where women’s reproductive laws are more regressive than most of the world, including India. Surely everyone should see the danger of this highly punitive and unfair law that doesn’t even make an exception for victims of rape or incest. I would hate for our state to take this big step back in women’s rights.

I am generally appreciative of the different arguments of this very complicated issue and am respectful of the personal experiences and beliefs that inform the different opinions. But this particular law is so regressive to the cause of women’s rights that I felt compelled to speak publicly about my personal views.

I also wanted to let you know that I am setting up a fund to ensure that if any of our Texas-based employees or a dependent find themselves impacted by this legislation and need to seek care outside of Texas, the fund will help cover the additional costs incurred. More details will follow. And as always, it is important to remember that at Match Group, we have these difficult conversations with empathy and respect.”

Lyft and Uber

The CEO of Lyft released a statement pledging to create a Driver Legal Defense Fund to cover all legal fees for drivers if they are sued under the Texas Abortion Law while driving for their company. Lyft also pledged to donate $1 million to Planned Parenthood. 

The CEO of Uber then responded to a tweet of the statement and echoed Lyft’s sentiment to cover any legal fees their drivers may encounter.

GoDaddy

Website hosting service GoDaddy terminated an anti-abortion tracking website that allowed people to report tips on suspected abortions in Texas. The company tweeted: 

“We informed the website owner yesterday that they have violated GoDaddy's terms of service and have 24 hours to move to a different provider.”

(About GoDaddy’s website termination)