So it’s that time of year again-Fall, pumpkins, cider mills, football, and benefits enrollment. Even when a good amount of prep work goes into open enrollment, studies show that employees still depend on HR to help them understand and make decisions about their benefits. Recent studies, like one from Prudential, shows that almost 43% of employees seek HR guidance when it comes to benefits.
Enter the Marketing team. Take what some may view as hum-drum, and put a new spin on it. Communicate year round with your audience, and be proactive about addressing commonly asked questions in a compelling way. Get a meeting on the calendar for HR and Marketing to discuss how to engage the employees and communicate information effectively. This is also an opportunity to bring your broker or benefits advisor in to see how they can aid you in putting the communications together-and remaining in contact with your employees year-round.
Some ideas:
- Brand your benefits package. Give it a catchy name and a logo.
- Make open enrollment fun. We often hear complaints from HR managers about the paper chase during open enrollment. Break the staff up into teams—whoever returns their forms the quickest gets a company-sponsored lunch! Or make it even easier for employees by using our online enrollment system, SmartBenefits Online.
- Start the communication early, and continue throughout the year. Try a survey at the halfway mark to find out what your employees think about their benefits!
For more ideas about coordinating HR, Marketing, and your insurance broker on benefits, call us today 248-594-5550.
