The San Diego Union-Tribune, my employer, sent me something in the mail Saturday that no other employer I've ever had ever sent me. I received a one-page document that details my total compensation as an employee of the Copley Press. For the first time I saw how much it cost annually for my health insurance, vision insurance, etc. The final figure also includes the company's half of the Social Security tax.

I think the idea was to show employees how much they are really getting. For me, I had the nebulous feeling that they were spending a lot more. Instead of humbling me, it's left me a little .... Well, let's just say I think I'm worth more.

I'm also pretty sure that they disagree.