What workers have access to quality-of-life benefits?

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Employees appreciate quality-of-life benefits that promote a work-life balance and an overall better well-being both in and out of the workplace. 

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics studies the quality-of-life benefits offered to civilian workers and further analyzes the access of these benefits across different work groups, including full time, part time, union, nonunion, as well as various wage groups. 

A majority (61%) of employees have access to employee assistance programs, with union workers (78%) and those earning the highest average wage (78%) having the most access to these programs. 

Nearly half (47%) of all employees have access to wellness programs, with union workers (60%) and those in the highest wage earning group (66%) also having the most access to this benefit. 

Read more: How companies are using total rewards statements to boost retention 

Quality-of-life benefits that employees receive the least are a flexible workplace (10%), subsidized commuting (10%) and childcare (13%). As more employees are returning to the office and losing out on flexible work opportunities, they could see more of a need for commuter benefits to make going to the office more enticing, as well as childcare benefits to help working parents make arrangements for their children easier and more affordable. 

Read more about how quality-of-life benefits differ across various working groups. 

Percentage of employees with access to quality-of-life benefits

Characteristic Employee
assistance
programs
Wellness
programs
Childcare Subsidized
commuting
Flexible
workplace
All workers 61% 47% 13% 10% 10%
Work status:
full time
66% 52% 14% 12% 13%
Work status:
part time
42% 29% 7% 4% 2%
Bargaining
status: union
78% 60% 14% 14% 3%
Bargaining
status: nonunion
58% 45% 13% 9% 11%
Average wage:
lowest 25
percent
44% 30% 7% 4% 2%
Average wage:
second 25
percent
59% 43% 10% 8% 7%
Average
wage: third
25 percent
65% 53% 14% 11% 11%
Average wage:
highest 25
percent
78% 66% 22% 19% 23%
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