The University of Toronto is supporting employee well-being with enhanced gender affirmation coverage.
Heather Boon, acting vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture at U of T, says the coverage was negotiated in several of its recent collective agreements and is also available to non-union employees. “Gender affirmation coverage is being provided to help support the health, safety and well-being of trans and non-binary employees as part of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.”
Read: U of T, Unifor agreement includes retirement gains, gender affirmation coverage
One such agreement was reached with the union representing 89 employees working as building management system technicians, building engineers and power engineers at the university. According to a Unifor representative, the agreement’s gender affirmation coverage includes $5,000 per claim with an overall lifetime maximum amount of $10,000. It’s divided into two categories: foundation, which covers core surgeries not covered by provincial or territorial coverage and services that assist in the physical alignment of the transitioned gender; and focused, which covers surgical enhancement of the individual’s features that follows their accepted gender ideal.
Celebrating Pride Month is a strong tradition at U of T, notes Boon, with events taking place throughout June for the community to promote inclusion and a supportive workplace culture.