Discretionary Benefits within the Manufacturing Industry - Research Paper Example

ufacturing businesses and other productive industries in turn offer fringe benefits to their employees to boost their confidence, morale, dedication and commitment (‘affective and normative’) (Aldag and Reschke, 1997). As a result, workers are keen to work better for their employers to ensure accomplishment of goals and targets. (Daft, 2009) and (Kreitner and Kinicki, 2007) The Industry that has been chosen by the researcher for this analysis is US Airline Industry. Indeed, US airline travel industry is one of the largest industries (comprising low cost barriers, regional, national and international airlines) within United States that has been offering its services daily to millions of travellers, visitors, students, business personnel and government officials.

This industry provides direct and indirect employment to millions of personnel thereby contributing in USA’s economic well-being, growth and sustainability. US Airways, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, Northwest and other airlines are among the major players. Foreign airlines also offer their travel services in USA. (ZACKS Report, 2010) The benefits offered by employers are divided into two main types namely Monetary Payments (in exchange for services offered) and Discretionary Benefits (they are optional or not mandatory for the producer) to their employees.

This paper will throw light over the discretionary or optional benefits offered to workers in the manufacturing industry. There are three major types of discretionary benefits namely Workers’ “Protection Programs, Paid time-offs, Accommodation and Employee Skills development programs” (Martocchio). This paper will discuss in detail each of the above mentioned benefits to employees, will demonstrate any factors that may influence these benefits within the chosen manufacturing industry and will end up on recommendations that could be used to improve current practices and benefits.

(Daft, 2009) The very first discretionary