Employee Compensation In The 20th Century

In the early part of the 20th century, employee compensation was minimal to nonexistent. With a few exceptions most employees were only rewarded in respect of the hours they worked. Any other kind of compensation that had to do with old age, poor health or death was entirely left to the hands of the employee or his family. Vacations if allowed at all were without pay. In 1940 and 1950 we can notice an increase in the acceptance and usage of employee benefits as a form of reward in addition to direct wages. During the end of 20th century this growth resulted in new types of employee benefits being added and existing benefits being expanded. Furthermore employers now had to make more difficult decisions on the method in which these benefits