ExxonMobile withdraws ‘partner’ benefits

IRVING, Texas — The ExxonMobil Corporation has decided to discontinue granting “domestic partner” benefits to unmarried partners of employees.

ExxonMobil officials explained employees already receiving the benefits would not lose them, but the benefits would not be given to new employees.

The policy was intended to benefit the unmarried partners of homosexual employees. ExxonMobil officials said their reason for changing the policy was due to logistical enforcement problems. It was too difficult to determine who really was a current domestic partner without visiting homes for proof of residence.

ExxonMobil explained the legal status of marriage was the only clear way to determine benefit eligibility.

Before the Nov. 39 merger between Exxon and Mobil, 94.1 percent of Exxon shareholders voted at their May annual meeting to reject an amendment to corporate bylaws that would have granted the domestic partner benefits. Before the vote, corporate directors also supported defeat of the amendment.