More Male Business Owners Consider Employee Health Benefits Important, According To Study

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 02 Oct 2007 - 10:00 PDT

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About 67% of men who own or administer small businesses consider employee health benefits important, compared with 59% of women in the same position, according to a survey released on Monday by American Express, USA Today reports. The survey included responses from 627 small-business owners and administrators. Alice Bredin, a consultant to American Express, said that men who own or administer small businesses are more aware of the need to offer health benefits to compete with other businesses. She said men tend to think, "If I'm going to hire, I'm going to need to offer health care."

However, Sharon Hadary, executive director of the Center for Women's Business Research, said that she "would have expected (the results) to be the other way" because women who have cared for children or elderly parents likely would have more appreciation for health and other benefits. "My family has a safety net," Hadary said, adding, "Do my employees have a safety net?" (Hopkins, USA Today, 10/1).

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