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Abstract
Organizations are becoming increasingly interested in attracting and retaining quality employees. Compensation/benefit policies that include benefits and services that affect employees' nonwork lives are being used by organizations to attract quality employees. The present study examined the influence of gender differences and career salience on college students' desire for work/life benefits. The results indicated that flexible scheduling and extended vacation time benefits were each preferred by over 50% of participants. There was no significant difference found in men's and women's levels of career salience. Career salience was also not found to mediate the relationship between gender and work/life benefit preference, although career salience was related to preference for work/life benefits. Additionally, women significantly preferred dependent care assistance more than men. Organizations that understand employees' desire for work/life benefits are better able to successfully design work/life programs that can attract and retain employees in a tight labor market.
