Information about employment status was quite varied and required some type of classification in order to make the data manageable. The Impact Survey asked participants to indicate the years of employment for their current and, if appropriate, former employer. These data were cross-referenced with information from the Informal Interview. Table IX presents employment information grouped by gender and longevity of employment.

TABLE IX

Years in Current and Previous Jobs

The data show considerable stability in terms of employment history, with an average length of employment of 10.8 years reported for current employment and 9.2 years for former employment. Several individuals specified concurrent employment with more than one employer. The data solicited on the Impact Survey did not differentiate between full time and part time employment; a circumstance which has a natural impact upon the discussion of benefits. The availability of health benefits reflects an indirect barometer of the quality of employment as such benefits, when paid in full or part by the employer, represent an additional payment to the employee. Table X presents information on the availability of various types of insurance coverage to participants classified by whether the benefits were employer, self, or co-paid.

TABLE X

Number and Percent Receiving Employer, Self and Co-paid Benefits

** Other insurance includes benefits generally available through government programs or spousal coverage.