Walmart settles same-sex spouse benefits discrimination suit

Walmart has agreement to a settlement in a lawsuit that accused the retailer of discrimination against gay employees who were unable to get healthcare coverage for their same-sex spouses.



Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the discounter will set aside $7.5 million to compensate the employees affected by the denial of spousal benefits from 2011 to 2014. (Walmart changed its policy to include same-sex spouses on Jan. 1, 2014, shortly after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage.)



The company said the settlement includes "no more than a few thousand current and former Walmart associates."



“We’re happy both sides could come together to reach a resolution,” Sally Welborn, senior VP of global benefits, Walmart, said in a statement. “We will continue to not distinguish between same- and opposite-sex spouses when it comes to the benefits we offer under our health insurance plan.”