The initiative will also include four-weeks of leave and mental health counselling
Cloud-based software company Salesforce is expanding their Gender Inclusive Benefits, worth $55,000, for transgender and non-binary employees in Australia and New Zealand. The expanded benefits package will cover treatments such as gender affirmation surgeries and hormonal therapy, news.com.au reported.
"Today, we are proud to announce new global Gender Inclusive Benefits to provide transgender and non-binary employees with the critical financial and emotional support they deserve," the company said in a media release this week.
It will also include an allowance worth $500 for wardrobe reimbursement, and another $1,000 to help employees "navigate the legal hurdles of legally confirming their gender and updating government-issued IDs."
Aside from financial help, employees will also receive four weeks of paid leave to give them time to recover after their gender affirmation procedures, as well as mental health services and counselling for the staff and their family throughout the process.
Read more: Transgender jobseekers face barriers to employment
"Supporting employees is not just about working from home — it’s about providing benefits that are as diverse as the employees themselves," said Pip Marlow, chief executive officer of Salesforce Australia, New Zealand, and ASEAN, on a LinkedIn post. "I'm incredibly proud of Salesforce's new Gender Inclusive Benefits Policy that will provide industry-leading benefits for our transgender and non-binary employees.”
The company's decision to expand the benefit is part of Transgender Awareness Week.
"At Salesforce, we believe everyone deserves to be who they are — and that doing so makes each of us the happiest and healthiest version of ourselves," the company said. "Were working hard to build a culture that makes everyone feel safe, valued, seen, and heard and believe these new benefits are an important step on that journey.”
