US: After Abortion Ruling, Companies Reach Out to Help Women Employees 

The Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade on June 24. However, the most prominent American companies provide employees who live in areas with restrictive abortion laws with travel reimbursement and other advantages. 

 After the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, many American businesses, including Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) and Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), said on Friday that they would pay for their workers’ travel fees if they needed to get an abortion. 

 Republicans and religious conservatives seek to restrict or ban, and in some places, criminalise, the operation won a win after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday reversed the historic 1973 decision that established a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion. 

 Following the decision, several states are anticipated to limit further or outright ban abortions, making it challenging for female workers to end pregnancies unless they travel to areas where the operation is permitted. 

 For instance, legislation in Oklahoma that is set to go into effect in August prohibits abortions other than in cases of medical emergency and threatens healthcare professionals who break the law with up to $100,000 in penalties and ten years in jail. New York and Maryland are two states that provide legal safeguards for abortion. 

 Healthcare Access 

According to a Disney representative, Disney assured staff members on Friday that it remained dedicated to offering full access to high-quality healthcare, including abortions. 

According to the company, benefits will pay for travel expenses for workers who need to receive treatment elsewhere, even to get an abortion. 

However, the business was also “assessing how best to do so given the legal complications involved,” a representative said.  

Facebook owner Meta would cover travel costs for staff members seeking out-of-state reproductive care. 

But Meta also attempted to restrict internal debate over the decision. According to a LinkedIn post by a Meta employee in Seattle, moderators on its forum Workplace erased remarks mentioning abortion, claiming a “respectful communications” policy prohibiting employee discussions on political subjects. 

The employee stated that moderators also removed links to Facebook posts by departing Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, that decried the decision. 

When questioned about the claims of restricting internal dialogue, the Meta spokesman declined to comment on company policy. 

 Business Contact Women Employees 

Companies have a variety of pro-abortion policies. 

CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS.N) Lauren Hobart stated on LinkedIn that if abortion were not readily available locally, the business would cover up to $4,000 in travel expenses for workers, their family members, and a support person. 

Businesses that provide reimbursements for travel linked to abortion may be subject to legal action from Republican-led states and anti-abortion organisations, as well as possible criminal consequences. 

According to lawyers and other experts, employers may be accused of breaking state laws that prohibit, facilitate, or help and abet abortions. 

The ride-hailing business Lyft (LYFT.O) announced that it would expand a current policy when new state laws are implemented, providing drivers with legal protection in the circumstances involving abortion.  

A spokeswoman said: “No driver should have to question a rider where they’re going or why.” 

In May, a draught of the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion was made public. Many other businesses at the time, including the online review site Yelp (YELP.N), Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O), and Tesla (TSLA.O), said they would assist in covering the costs of travel for staff members in need of contraception.  

Apple (AAPL.O) reiterated its support for employees’ right to make their own reproductive health decisions and that travel expenses for procedures not accessible locally were covered by its healthcare programme. 

 Reimbursement for Travel Costs 

Jeremy Stoppelman, co-founder and CEO of Yelp, stated on Friday that the decision “endangers the health of women, violates their human rights, and threatens to undo the progress we’ve made toward gender equality in the workplace since Roe.” 

Alaska Airlines’ parent company, Alaska Air Group (ALK.N), announced on Friday that it is “reimbursement for travel costs associated with some medical procedures and treatments that are not offered locally.  

The Supreme Court’s ruling from today does not alter that.” 

Along with Netflix Inc. (NFLX.O), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N), the largest bank in the country, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM.N), and the online dating services OkCupid and Bumble Inc. View More. 

In preparation for a political battle, OkCupid delivered in-app notifications to users in 26 states likely to outlaw abortion. OkCupid Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Hobley tweeted a screenshot of the message, saying, “Act immediately by calling your lawmakers and demanding freedom and choice.”