Is it legal for employer to offer better dental insurance to select few?

I overheard today that there is a few people here at my job who are on a better dental plan. I guess it's not being offered to everyone because of the cost, and because the other's have children. Can they do this?

Is it legal for employer to offer better dental insurance to select few?
They sure can. Everything is negotiable. They'll try to keep everyone on the same plans, but if they want to land a really good prospect who is holding out, they'll negotiate better pay/benefits.
Reply:I think that benefits are part of your salary negotiation. Therefore, they are confidential between you and your employer and it is up to your employer what he/she wants to offer.





At the same time, it is illegal to discriminate based on age, gender, etc.





I would recommend negotiating your benefits in the same manner in which you negotiate your salary - in a closed room discussion with your employer. Avoid gossip and office discussions about salary and benefits - right or wrong, getting in the middle of this will only reflect poorly on you to your employer.
Reply:Well, I was ok with it until your statement about some people having children......





It is certainly legal for companies to offer different levels of benefit plans to different employees. For example, executives usually get a richer benefit package than rank-and-file folks. It is also permissible for the company to offer and even to subsidize insurance for the spouses and dependents of employees.





What I don't understand is why the company would offer a completely different (and apparently more comprehensive) plan only to employees who have children. That seems to border on discriminatory treatment to me.....