The Importance of Employee Communications During Benefits Open Enrollment

As open enrollment season approaches, it’s crucial for employees to engage with the communication materials related to their benefits plans. However, the reality is that many employees may not fully engage with these messages.

Human Resources and benefits professionals invest significant time drafting, editing, and refining these communications, but often find that employees overlook them. Why is this the case?

Reasons Employees May Not Read Benefits Communications:

• Complex Language: Many benefits communications are filled with jargon and complicated language, making them hard to understand. This complexity can deter employees from engaging with the material.
• Lack of Relevance: Employees might view the information as irrelevant to their specific situations, leading to disinterest.
• Communication Overload: In today’s work environment, employees receive a deluge of emails and messages every day. Important benefits information can easily get lost in the noise.
• Frequency Fatigue: Too many communications can overwhelm employees, causing them to tune out. It’s essential to strike a balance between providing necessary information and over-communicating.
• Limited Understanding: A surprising number of employees do not fully understand their benefits or even read the materials provided to them.
• Communication Channels: If benefits communications rely heavily on channels that employees don’t frequently use, such as email, engagement can drop significantly.

Strategies to Improve Employee Engagement with Benefits Communications:

To tackle these challenges, employers should consider the following strategies:

1. Simplify Language: Use clear and concise language to make communications easier to digest.
2. Ensure Relevance: Tailor communications to address the specific needs and situations of different employee groups.
3. Explore Different Channels: Utilize a variety of communication channels, such as mobile apps, text messages, or in-person meetings, to reach employees effectively.
4. Create Engaging Formats: Design communications in formats that are visually appealing and easy to understand, such as infographics or videos.
5. Promote Understanding: Offer resources, such as FAQs or Q&A sessions, to help employees better understand their benefits.

Improving benefits communication is essential for increasing employee engagement and understanding of their benefits packages. By making the information accessible, relevant, and digestible, employers can empower employees to make informed decisions during open enrollment. The HR experts at Next Level Benefits can help you streamline your messaging for open enrollment and other internal communication projects. Contact us today to get started!