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March 30, 1995

Survey results to be used in developing 'cafeteria' benefit plan

The results of a survey of Pitt faculty and staff opinions of their employee benefits will be used in developing a proposal for a "cafeteria" benefits plan here, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Darlene Lewis said.

A cafeteria plan allows employees to select among a range of benefits. One employee may want dental or vision care; another may want more flexible working hours. "One of the findings of the survey was that a majority of respondents feel Pitt should offer more choices in benefits," Lewis said. "The survey itself will give us a better idea of the kinds of benefits staff and faculty would like to have offered to them." Of the 7,979 surveys mailed to University employees, 4,724 were returned — a 61 percent response rate. The final survey report appears as a supplement to this issue of the University Times.

Among the survey's findings:

* Both faculty and staff report being satisfied with working at Pitt and think it is a good place to work.

* Many expressed dissatisfaction with their pay; this dissatisfaction is higher among staff than faculty.

* A majority feel they would not like to see coverage reduced to lower costs, but believe Pitt should offer more benefit choices.

* Most believe the University has a good benefits program, are satisfied with the medical care they receive, and feel their current coverage is worth the costs.

* Some benefits that respondents want to see added or increased are a dental plan, flex-time, a vision plan, job sharing and trading time-off for benefits.

* Some of the benefits that respondents wanted unchanged include: holidays, paid time off, life insurance, retirement plans, disability, tuition benefits, and flexible spending accounts.

The overall purpose of the survey was to examine the benefits needs of staff, faculty and administrators at the Pittsburgh, Bradford, Greensburg, Johnstown and Titusville campuses, along with their perceptions of the components that could be included within a cafeteria, or flexible, benefits program.


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