They are handouts just like taxes are handouts to the government: sometimes unfair, but they serve a purpose of sharing risks and profits. Some societies do share more (Denmark is a stereotypical example, you don't have to go full commie) others less. Calling them handouts overlooks that range of possibilities.
The business owner doesn't share the risk, so I'm not sure how that applies. If anything, offering more 'benefits' increases his/her risk.
Outside of specialized industries, most employees are replaceable, so I don't see any merits to sharing profits beyond the reasonable salary that they earn (provided the salary is reasonable). In a free market, the employees have the right to find a job that offers better benefits, should it exist.
