Linkages between employee benefits and attitudinal and behavioral outcomes: A research review and agenda

The purpose of this article is to set forth a research agenda for examination of the impact of benefit program features and levels on employee attitudes and behaviors important to the firm. We conducted a comprehensive search of the current research literature for references to the following benefit categories: medical and medically-related benefit payments; retirement and savings plan payments; payments for time not worked; life insurance and death benefits; and miscellaneous benefits, including benefits sometimes categorized as "family-friendly." Empirical research examining the links between employee benefits and the following outcome variables is summarized: applicant attraction, employee benefit satisfaction, organizational commitment, employee performance, employee absenteeism and employee turnover. The closing sections of the article present general guidance for future research on employee benefit-outcome linkages.