Benefits of the job

Katherine Marshall

• In 2000, 62% of employees were offered at least one employer-sponsored insurance—extended medical, dental or life/disability. Half were offered all three.
• Almost half of employees (46%) were covered by an employer-sponsored pension plan; less than 1 in 10 were offered a stock purchase or profit sharing plan.
• The most common 'family-friendly' workplace benefits included employee assistance programs and fitness and recreation facilities, offered to 28% and 14% of employees respectively.
• Good jobs went hand in hand with access to non-wage benefits. Employees in high-paying, unionized, full-time or permanent jobs were much more likely to have access to all types of non-wage benefits.
• The cost of mandatory non-wage benefits for employers (Employment Insurance, Canada/Quebec Pension Plan, and workers' compensation) increased from 5% of payrolls in 1961 to 12% in 1998. The cost of discretionary benefits (employer-sponsored insurance, pensions, paid leave, profit and stock option plans) also rose, helping to push the cost of non-wage benefits from 23% to 36% between 1961 and 1998.

Katherine Marshall is with Labour and Household Surveys Analysis Division. She can be reached at (613) 951-6890 or perspectives@statcan.gc.ca.