Why is AT&T Denying Sick Leave to Gay Employees?

UPDATE: AT&T has issued a statement saying that they're working to address this situation, and that they'll make sure Dickensen is given sick leave to care for his partner. Per AT&T's statement, "AT&T regrets that there has been confusion over the administration of family leave with respect to registered domestic partners. We have taken steps to ensure that FMLA is extended to employees with registered domestic partners for the purpose of caring for the partner, regardless of the state in which the employee resides. AT&T has a long history of inclusiveness and we embrace and celebrate diversity of race, ethnicity and sexual orientation in our workforce."

AT&T may be one of the most corporate-friendly companies around when it comes to LGBT rights. But are they practicing what they preach? Perhaps not, if you look at the case of Bryan Dickenson and Bill Sugg.

Dickenson has been an employee of AT&T for 12 years, presumably considered a really good employee, given his tenure there. In September, Dickenson's partner, Sugg, had a serious stroke that put him in the hospital. For the past six months, Dickenson has been using vacation time in order to visit his partner -- they've been together for 30 years -- once a week in a rehabilitation center.

Why is Dickenson using vacation time to visit his recovering partner? Because AT&T won't grant him a medical leave to be with his partner. Because they're gay.

According to the Dallas Voice, AT&T is refusing to give Dickenson medical leave to visit his partner, even though heterosexual married couples would be granted the leave. Yes, that's right. A heterosexual couple that's been married for two hours would be eligible for medical leave from AT&T. But Dickenson, who has worked for the company for 12 years and has been with his partner for 30 years? Nope, no medical leave.

Outrageous. Send AT&T's CEO a message that this type of corporate practice has got to go. It threatens to ruin AT&T's reputation as an all-star company when it comes to equal rights. Is AT&T ready to let that reputation go?

An event is being organized for this weekend in Dallas, Texas, outside of an AT&T store, to call attention to the company's decision to refuse to give Dickenson medical leave. Event organizers say that because Dickenson and Sugg live in Texas, a state that doesn't recognize same-sex marriage, the company is refusing to allow Dickenson paid time off to be with his spouse.

"AT&T only gives gay couples leave rights in states that require it, like California or Massachusetts. Because Texas has no such requirement, AT&T will not voluntarily give gay and lesbian employees benefits," say organizers of the event.

That's shameful. Even worse is AT&T's corporate response.

"There are circumstances under which our administration of our benefits plans must conform with state law, and this is one of those circumstances,” said Walt Sharp, an AT&T spokesperson, in a written statement. “In this case, neither federal nor state law recognizes Mr. Dickenson’s domestic partner with legal status as a qualifying family member for a federal benefit program."

Bunk. Companies can choose to offer employees who are LGBT medical leave for their partners. AT&T shouldn't be required by state action to do this. They should voluntarily be offering this as a company that values LGBT employees, and values their reputation as a company that prioritizes equal rights.

Send AT&T's CEO a message: treating LGBT employees differently, and not letting them have access to time off to care for partners who are sick is cruel and inhumane. As the lawyer for Sugg and Dickenson said, "At some point in time this just becomes really hateful that they wouldn’t have any compassion. I think the recourse is to tell their story and let people know how AT&T really treats their employees."

Time to let AT&T know that this type of behavior is intolerable.

Photo credit: Boygeniusreport.com