Challenging conventional wisdom, a new survey says men — more than women — put greater emphasis on offering health insurance to employees at small businesses.
The American Express survey of 627 small-company owners and managers found that 67% of men vs. 59% of women feel such coverage is important. The results, out today, are surprising to authorities on female-owned firms who believe women put more emphasis on health benefits.
“I would have expected it to be the other way,” says Sharon Hadary, executive director of the non-profit Center for Women’s Business Research.
The survey comes as women take a growing leadership role in business, and as corporations struggle with health costs. General Motors, for one, reached a landmark deal with its major union that shifts billions of dollars in retiree health costs off its books.
Small businesses employ nearly half of U.S. workers. Amid rising premiums, more are dropping medical benefits: Just 59% of companies with three to 199 workers now offer the benefit vs. 68% in 2001, the Kaiser Family Foundation says. At those with 200 or more workers, 99% offer coverage, unchanged from 2001.
Photo by nashih.
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