Domestic Partnership Recognition

Policy

Rice Construction Company extends recognition of any domestic partnership meeting the eligibility criteria, and offers certain benefits to domestic partners of Rice Construction employees. The domestic partner may be of the same or of the opposite sex. Employees who wish to be considered for use of the Domestic Partner Benefit Program must complete the "Statement of Domestic Partnership" and submit it to the Human Resource Office. The statement and the information obtained will be kept confidential insofar as the law allows.

The benefits that are provided are those controlled solely by Rice Construction Company. Benefits provided by any third party are not included in this program. The following is a list of benefits offered by Rice Construction Company, definitions have been amended to include domestic partners.

Sick Leave: Employees may use sick leave when their presence is required due to the illness of a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent or other family member living in the immediate household.

Family Medical Leave Act Leave: FMLA leave may be taken to care for spouse, domestic partner, son, daughter, or parent of the employee, if they have a serious health condition.

Bereavement Leave: Up to three days off with pay may be granted in the event of the death of a member of the immediate family or household member, which is defined as husband, wife, or domestic  partner and his or her: mother, father, brother, sister, children, mother-in-law, father-in-law, step parents, or any other relative within the first degree living in the same household.

Wellness Program: Wellness-sponsored programs that are open to family members are open to domestic partners.

It is the intent of this program that other benefits provided solely by the Company to married partners be provided also to domestic partners. Questions related to other possible benefits should be directed to the Director of Human Resources.

 

Declaration

RICE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY STATEMENT OF DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIP DECLARATION

I, _______________________________ and _________________
   Employee (print)                                           Domestic Partner (print)

REPRESENTATIONS:

We are each other's sole domestic partner and intend to remain so indefinitely.

Neither of us is legally married to anyone.

Each of us is at least eighteen (18) years old and mentally competent to consent to this contract.

We are not related by blood to a degree of closeness that would prohibit legal marriage in the State of Texas.

We have been residing together for at least 12 months at the same residence and intend to do so indefinitely.

We are jointly responsible for each other's common welfare and shared financial obligations as demonstrated by the existence of three of the following. We have circled below the types of documentation that we can provide if requested.

Domestic Partnership Agreement
Joint mortgage or lease
Designation of domestic partner as beneficiary for life insurance
Designation of domestic partner as beneficiary for retirement contract
Designation of domestic partner as primary beneficiary in employee's will or of employee in domestic partner's will
Durable property and health care powers of attorney
Joint ownership of motor vehicle
Joint checking account
Joint credit account

We agree to notify the Office of Human Resources if there is any change in our status as domestic partners as certified in this statement. We will notify Human Resources within thirty (30) days of such change by filing a statement of Termination of Domestic Partnership, which will make the domestic partner no longer eligible for Company sponsored benefits. The statement of Termination shall affirm that the domestic partnership status is terminated as of its date of execution and that a copy of the statement of Termination has been provided to the other partner by the party authorizing such action.

We understand that any false or misleading statements made in order to receive benefits for which we do not qualify may subject the partner employed by Rice Construction Company to disciplinary action.

We have provided the information in this statement for the sole purpose of determining our eligibility for domestic partnership benefits. We understand that this information will be held confidential insofar as the law allows and will otherwise be subject to disclosure only upon our expressed written authorization.

We understand and agree that the only benefits that may be made available to a domestic partner are those controlled solely by the Company, and not benefits provided by the Sheet Metal Workers Local Union #54 or any third party, such as health insurance.

We acknowledge the Company's advice that we consult with a legal advisor before signing this document.

Employee Signature: __________________________________ Date: _____________

Social Security Number:    ________________________________________________

Employing Department:   _________________________________________________

Domestic Partner Signature: ___________________________________ Date: ______

Employee and Domestic Partner's Home Address:                                                                                                                                                

Subscribed and Sworn to before me this ___ day of ___________, 19__.

_____________________________

Notary Public

Approved for Rice Construction Company by:

Name: ________________________________________ Date: __________________

Human Resource Director or Designee