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Employee benefits down slightly in 2009, but core benefits remain in tact, annual survey finds

Though U.S. employers continue to offer an extensive selection of employee benefits, 60 percent of HR professionals say the recession has caused their organizations to scale back or hold steady on benefit offerings. This is according to the SHRM 2009 Employee Benefits Survey Report, released on June 28 at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 61st Annual Conference and Exposition in New Orleans.

"The recession plus rising health care costs are causing companies to evaluate all operating costs closely, even employee benefits, where a reduction in some benefits is required to survive the economic crisis," said SHRM president and CEO Laurence G. O'Neil.

HR professionals report that in 2009, 20 percent of payroll will be used for mandatory benefits, 19 percent for voluntary benefits and 11 percent will be used for paid leave benefits.

Compared to 2008, fewer organizations this year are providing housing and relocation, business travel and other employee benefits. Healthcare and welfare benefits showed a relatively small decrease while family-friendly benefits showed fewer offerings for elder care referral services and adoption assistance.

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