It’s Tax Time, Which Means We Discriminate Against Unpartnered People
I was collating my paperwork to file federal and state taxes when I was reminded of all the ways that unmarried people are discriminated against from tax credits to the ability to name a beneficiary of social security benefits–in addition to 1,000 other rights and privileges awarded to married people.
I am heartened that at least in the Bay Area, California there is a movement and accompanying policies to empower unmarried people and singles with no registered domestic partners. Let me share those with you!
I learned through my awesome organization, UltraViolet, that Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, and San Francisco, California, have local paid sick leave ordinances that allow for “all employees to designate one individual for whom the employee may use paid sick leave on an annual basis.
“If an employee has no spouse or domestic registered partner, they may designate one individual for whom the employee may use paid sick leave. Under the Ordinances, employees may use paid sick leave when they, or a member of their family, or a ‘Designated Person’ are ill or injured, or for the purpose of receiving medical care, treatment or diagnosis. In addition to providing this reminder, Insperity has created a form called Paid Sick Leave Designated Person. You may access the Paid Sick Leave Designated Person (CA) form on Insperity Premier.”
I designated my cousin Lilly, which means that if she were to require caregiving, I can take off two weeks of paid sick leave from work to care for her. She is entitled to do the same for me as she works in Emeryville, and has alerted her workplace of the ordinance.
I felt so empowered that I forwarded this ordinance to our rock-climbing gym in Oakland and requested that Lilly–who lives with me and shares in household responsibilities–be granted the “couples’ discount.” Don’t get me started on how bullshit it is that singles have to pay more per ticket or membership for anything from travel packages to day trips to the amusement park!
My request was…granted! Singles, please help me and defend the rights that we have! If you work in Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, or San Francisco, let them know about this ordinance.
