Employee benefits are a tool used by companies to attract potential candidates, improve employee satisfaction, reduce turnover and maintain competition. Benefits offered by most employers include, but are not limited to, medical and dental coverage, time off from work, retirement, and additional assistance during life-changing events. The majority of employers in the United States offer benefits to their employees and include annual enrollment to select benefits and make any necessary changes. Most consider medical and dental coverage the most important option in their benefits package. Medical coverage typically includes doctor visits, prescriptions, dental and vision care. Medical coverage allows an employee to see a doctor covered by their healthcare plan at an extremely discounted rate. A regular visit to the doctor usually costs around fifteen dollars and a visit to a specialist costs a little more, between twenty-five and thirty dollars under the plan. Employees also receive a flat rate for prescriptions included in the plan. Prescription prices may vary depending on the type of medication and the price may decrease if a generic version is offered. Dental coverage includes discounted visits to the dentist and an amount to pay for additional issues such as braces and more extensive procedures. Eye care coverage varies among most companies; it typically covers one eye exam per year as well as a credit for lenses and frames once per year. An employee will select a health care plan that meets their needs and covers what they believe is necessary for the coming year. (Sprint 2005) Time spent away from work can be grouped into several categories...... middle of paper ...... with other issues as they arise. Benefits options increase employee satisfaction in the workplace and contribute to a pleasant work environment. The majority of companies offer some type of benefits, but we hope that benefits will continue to improve and change over time. Bohlander, G and Snell, S. (2004). Human resources management, pages 462 to 492. Mason, . . OH: Thomson South-Western.Sprint/Nextel Annual Registration Package for 2006 (2005) Annual Registration. Kansas. . City, Missouri. SprintPersonnel Policy Services, Inc. (2005) Ppspublishers.com. Navigating FMLA and . . The Workers' Compensation Maze: A Guide for Employers. Kennon, Joshua. (2005) Beginnersinvest.com. Investing for beginners: start providing. . . for your future. New York Times Company