In today’s workplace, encouraging employees to utilize their benefits has become increasingly difficult. Being such a complex topic, many workers often leave enrollment meetings confused and unsure of what their benefits actually have to offer. It is important for Human Resource (HR) teams to outline benefit packages in detail to both inform and entice workers to take advantage of their benefit offerings.
Keep it simple
First and foremost, HR teams must make sure to schedule meetings to go over all the benefits the company has to offer. During these meetings, it is imperative to break details down simply, while simultaneously encouraging staff to ask questions. The HR Daily Advisor reported, “One of the easiest ways to get your employees to engage with their benefits is to simply communicate their availability. Nearly half of employees report that they don’t fully understand their benefits”¹. Employees are less likely to use their benefits if they are too complicated to understand. To combat any lingering confusion, consider providing a main point of contact that employees can reach out to with any questions.
Provide visual content
Secondly, creating educational documents and tutorials for your employees will help better communicate the terms of their benefits and provide materials they can refer to at any time. An article from Forbes featuring tips from twelve HR professionals suggested to, “Entice prospective and current employees with a simple, visual, compelling, and succinct narrative when highlighting company benefits and perks. Promote using approachable language, employee testimonials, colorful infographics, and other snack-sized communications” ².
Share relatable experiences
Another great way to show just how benefits can support employees is to have management and other team members share their experiences. By sharing experiences, co-workers can relate, which in turn may assist with their selection of benefits.
Make information accessible
Choosing the right benefit options is an important task not to be taken lightly. Your employees may want to bring materials home to review or share with their family members. HR teams can provide them with materials that are convenient to access and share such as digital content that can be accessed from anywhere and at any time. For example, National Vision Administrators (NVA) provides clients with a virtual open enrollment platform that lays out all the important information an employee needs to learn about their vision benefit. Employees can access the platform when and where they want using a simple web link. Click here to view the demo NVA Open Enrollment Platform. Overall, while employee benefits always seem to be a convoluted topic that is met with confusion, there are many steps HR teams can take to make sure employees understand how to best utilize their benefits.
Sources:
1: https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2018/03/16/5-ways-increase-employee-benefits-engagement-no-additional-cost/
2: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2019/11/27/12-effective-methods-to-encourage-employees-to-use-their-benefits/?sh=4bc95b7722c7
https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/5-ways-to-help-employees-make-the-best-use-of-benefits/251477