It's Good to Be at the Top, As 'Perks' Study Shows

The news from a recent study of perquisites is very good, as far as executives are concerned. Incentivized travel is the only category of major "perk" for executives showing a pronounced decline since 1997. First-class travel, usage of company aircraft and chauffeured ground transportation all showed "marked" declines of 11 percent, 12 percent and 9 percent, respectively, according to the study.

On the flip side, more than eight Out of 10 companies surveyed offered mobile telephones and free medical examinations as part of their overall compensation packages.

Perhaps the most surprising news from the study, which was conducted by Pricewaterhouse-Coopers LLP, is that executive benefits packages are increasingly based on quality of life as opposed to dollars and cents.

"The message," says PricewarerhouseCoopers principal Carl Weinberg, "is clear: Companies today are orienting the type of perquisites they offer to their CEOs, senior and middle management and professional staff according to broad, quality-of-life criteria."

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