Effective communication is critical to educate and inform employees about new, returning or expanded benefits options. Consider these six open enrollment communication tips:
- Select a mix of appropriate channels. For example, digital channels can help distribute and house information virtually. Alternatively, there’s still a time and place for on-site meetings and mail-to-home print materials. Every workplace is different, so it comes down to selecting various channels that are relevant and engaging to each organization’s specific employees.
- Keep it simple. It’s vital to simplify benefits information. Links or attachments could explore the benefits further and offer the fine print.
- Make it digestible. Traditional benefits booklets can be lengthy; instead, employers could deliver bite-sized information to employees through methods such as videos and emails.
- Use real-world examples. Employees can relate to stories, so find ways to bring the options to life.
- Avoid jargon. To help make benefits easier to understand, avoid HR or benefits-related jargon. Additionally, many benefits are acronyms, so employers should help decode and explain the alphabet soup to employees.
- Personalize communication. Depending on the workforce and their working environments, employers will likely need to segment their employee audience and tweak messaging so it resonates.
Employer Takeaway
Educating and informing employees about their benefits options is an important part of open enrollment. Effective employee communication may evolve, but it comes down to helping employees feel well-informed about their benefits options and confident about their choices.
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