According to the Harris Interactive® opinion poll, sponsored by Purchasing Power (www.purchasingpower.com), 76% of full time workers whose companies provide them with employee benefits said they would purchase a desktop or laptop computer, high definition television, home appliance (such as a washer, dryer or refrigerator), power tools and/or a lawnmower in the next year if credit or financing were not issues for them.

Not surprisingly given the economy, many consumers are delaying such purchases. But when asked how likely they would be to make such a purchase that could be paid for through payroll deduction, 45% said they would be ‘somewhat likely’ to purchase a computer; 38% a high definition TV; and 37% a large home appliance.

“Providing non-traditional voluntary benefits as part of the benefit package is a logical service employers can offer their employees, especially in today’s economic climate, to help them acquire life-enhancing products should they choose to do so,” said Richard Carrano, Purchasing Power’s President and Chief Financial Officer. “Although it’s a benefit fully paid for by the employee, offering this type of employee benefit helps employers show they care about their employees and want to help. Adding a benefit like this also helps raise employee morale in today’s economic environment.”