"We offer short- and long-term disability on a voluntary basis. Most people tend to go for the short-term version, but there are a few who've bought long-term disability. The people who do buy it usually say they've had a bad experience with a family member who suddenly became disabled and wasn't able to cope financially, and they don't want to go through the same thing." -- Anna R., Senior agent, Real estate company, Shakopee, Minn.
"Right now we're too small to even provide dental insurance. The only thing our employees get -- and it's a good thing -- is health coverage. I suppose that a few years down the road we'll have to re-evaluate, and then maybe we'll consider offering more choices. But I can pretty much guarantee it will be an optional thing they'll have to pay for on their own." -- Margaret M., Human resources manager, Medical billing, Plano, Texas
"Given my line of work, I thought it was important to protect my employees. The job, by nature, is very physically demanding. And since it's manual labor, the chance for accidents is higher than with a desk job. After you've been with us for a year, long-term disability becomes part of the package. Until you reach that one-year mark, you can buy it on a voluntary basis." -- Warren G., Owner, Paving company, Denver, Colorado
"Our employees can buy disability, cancer and accident coverage as part of a supplemental benefits package. Since it's not very expensive, most people tend to go with all three.With the disability insurance, they can pick between short-term and long-term." -- Roger T., Assistant manager, Liquor store, Oswego, New York
"I don't think we have long-term disability, but I'm not really sure. I know you can get short-term disability if you pay, like, $10 a month extra, but that's it." -- Kelly S., Head bartender, Chain restaurant, Fresno, Calif.
