PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - U.S. Steel is implementing a series of employee benefits that place an emphasis on new families and the LGBTQ community, according to a company press release.
Among the nine new or enhanced benefits, the company will provide up to eight weeks paid time off for either parent following the birth of a child, adoption assistance and infertility coverage.
Andrew Simpson, professor at Duquesne University, told KDKA Radio's Lynne Hayes-Freeland the family-centered benefits are a reflection of current lifestyle trends.
"You also are having a workforce that's spending more time in higher education, are having children later, and so you see coverage like adoption and infertility being an important way to attract those types of workers."
The new coverage also includes the allowance of eligible domestic partners and eligible children to receive coverage. For those undergoing gender confirmation procedures, they may also receive additional medical coverage.
Simpson says the new benefits are also a sign of U.S. Steel competing for employees.
"I think this is part of a larger trend that we've seen in the industry to offer a range of different benefits, especially related to lifestyle benefits, whether it's increasing family leave, adoption benefits, broader medical benefits as a way to attract and retain a diverse workforce."
Other benefits include extended bereavement leave, a vacation purchase program and healthcare continuation for work-related or military service fatalities.
"These benefits reflect our commitment to fostering a culture of caring at U.S. Steel, where every employee must feel supported," said Barry Melnkovic, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer in a statement.
All new benefits will be available to employees in full by April 1.