Employees participating in selected non-wage benefits

Over 70% of employees participate in at least one non-wage benefit

• Non-wage benefits in the form of supplemental medical insurance, retirement or stock purchase plans, and personal or family support programs, such as child care, employee assistance, and fitness and recreation services, were prevalent in the workplace in 2001. Over 70% of employees participated in at least one such benefit plan and almost a third to at least one personal or family support program through their employer.
• Health-related benefits, such as medical and dental plans, and life/disability insurance plans remained the most common form of non-wage benefit (42% of employees), while group pension plans and stock purchase plans were not as widely spread (18% and 7%, respectively).
• The participation rate in non-wage benefits varied widely across occupational groups. People employed in marketing or sales were the least likely to participate in them (only 44%), while those in a professional or managerial position had the highest participation rate (87% and 80%, respectively). Men were somewhat more likely than women to participate in non-wage benefits (74% versus 68%), while those under 25 years of age had a lower participation rate (47%).
• The participation rate in non-wage benefits was higher among workers who were unionized (89% versus 64% for the non-unionized) or employed full time (77% versus 42% for part time). The likelihood of participating in these benefits also rose with earnings—42% of those with an hourly wage under $12 participated, compared with 75% for those earning between $12 and $20 and 88% for those earning more than $20 per hour.

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