Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.
The purpose of this study was to provide detailed information on the whole range of benefits now available and to collect views and attitudes towards benefits from a broad spectrum of the workforce in order to provide valuable information to those responsible for reviewing and implementing personnel policies in the future.
Main Topics:
Attitudinal/Behavioural Questions a) Company Questionnaire Responsibility for deciding benefits policy, details of available benefits (pensions, sick pay, death in service, medical insurance, personal insurance, assistance with housing/removal expenses, holidays, discount facilities, loan schemes, share incentives and profit sharing, bonus, training, cars and car allowances, subsidised meals, fees to professional association, company social facilities and clubs, day nurseries, flexibility of working hours). Reasons for provision of benefits, expected change in number and/or value of benefits, additional benefits provided since 1970, staff status, choice of benefits, change resulting from EEC membership, cost of benefits. b) Individual Questionnaires There were two types of questionnaire: i. Management Attitudes ii. Employees' attitudes Questions asked for i. and ii.: Present entitlement to benefits, most important benefits (reasons), benefits not received which respondent would most like to have (in order of priority), opinion on company's reasons for providing benefits, whether choice between benefits and cash desirable, whether differential benefits according to staff status desirable. Questions asked for i. only: Personal opinion of/satisfaction with benefits (reasons), importance of benefits when seeking a new job, source of information on benefits (satisfaction with), suggested improvements for benefit schemes. Questions asked for ii. only: Expected improvements in benefit provisions, opinion of trade union involvement in negotiations for more benefits (priorities), expectation of effect of EEC membership on benefits. Differences between UK and EEC benefits mentioned to respondent (i.e. longer annual holidays, higher state pensions, more public holidays) who was then asked to list differences in order of importance (reasons). Background Variables Age, marital status, number of employees in company, type of job, job title, union, Standard Industrial Classification, size of organisation.
a) Random within structured size categories b) i. Random within structural membership categories ii. Random within specified employee categories
Face-to-face interview
Postal survey
a) and b)i. Postal questionnaires b)ii. Oral interview
