Creating a competitive employee benefits package can be a great strategy for attracting a wider range of potential job candidates. Benefits offerings are a key element in showing employees that a business really cares about their well-being.
Businesses that provide benefits to their employees often see improved productivity with their teams and better staff retention. However, simply having benefits in place doesn’t necessarily mean organizations will be able to see these advantages.
To get the most value from the offerings you put together for employees, it’s important to invest resources into educating staff on how to utilize them effectively. The great thing is there are some proven strategies businesses can follow to assist in this effort.
Make Sure Benefits Communication Demonstrates Value
To help prevent misinterpretations or confusion about the specifics of an employee’s benefits plan, it’s important to look for ways to clearly communicate their value.
Healthcare companies frequently use complicated terminology when outlining coverage for businesses and their employees. This can be confusing for newer employees who may not be familiar with how health insurance plans work. By taking the time to explain these terms in everyday language, you’ll help all of your employees better understand what they’re agreeing to and how their premiums are calculated.
Offering employees access to decision-making resources can also simplify the selection process for different benefit coverage tiers. Many best-in-breed benefits platforms include a suite of tools designed to help employees assess their choices and make more informed decisions on their coverage.
When you give your teams the resources they need to better understand their benefits, it’s easier for them to translate the full value that they can provide to themselves and their families.
Use Webinars to Explain Benefit Changes
Another option for explaining benefits offerings in more detail is hosting webinars with benefits partners. This can be especially valuable during open enrollment periods as it gives employees the opportunity to hear specifics about their plan options and ask questions.
Partnering with your benefits broker to help present these sessions can simplify the enrollment process considerably and ensure all employees get the necessary information they need to make more informed decisions.
During webinars, your broker can explain all the available coverage options you’ve chosen and clarify how each plan functions. By establishing a more interactive learning environment for your employees, the benefits information becomes more engaging and memorable than just sifting through lengthy printed materials. It will also help to streamline benefits administration activities while meeting critical deadlines.
Gather Feedback to Understand Employee Needs
To ensure your employee benefits education is resonating, you should regularly ask for feedback from employees. Establishing a feedback mechanism helps to better assess employee satisfaction with their benefit options and how well they understand their offerings.
Post-enrollment surveys are a perfect tool for gathering this type of information. They provide a convenient way for employees to express their opinions and offer suggestions for improvement and can even be delivered anonymously.
In your surveys, you should consider asking employees to rate their satisfaction with the enrollment experience or to comment on the clarity of the provided information. Questions about the user-friendliness of the administration system or the time required for enrollment can also be beneficial. The responses gathered will help you to refine your strategies over time.
Analyze Program Data to Find Areas for Improvement
It’s also important to periodically evaluate and refine your employee benefits packages. Your team’s needs are dynamic, so your offerings should evolve, too. A yearly review is often the best practice for organizations to ensure their benefits are still meeting their intended usage goals and to stay competitive with other organizations.
When adjustments are made, it’s important to provide transparent communication with your employees. You should make sure you’re clearly outlining the changes and their potential impact to ensure a smooth transition and help avoid any unsuspecting surprises for employees.
Highlight the Value of Your Benefits Packages
A comprehensive employee benefits program is essential for attracting top talent. It can also help to improve loyalty with your staff and increase their overall job satisfaction. By ensuring you’re clearly communicating the value of your benefits offerings and gathering feedback to help improve them over time, you’ll ensure your employees continue to feel confident in their roles and are more likely to stick around for the long haul.
Author Bio: Frank Mengert Frank Mengert continues to find success by spotting opportunities where others see nothing. As the founder and CEO of ebm, a leading provider of employee benefits solutions. Frank has built the business by bridging the gap between insurance and technology driven solutions for brokers, consultants, carriers, and employers nationwide.
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