Why Summer is Ideal for Public Sector Employee Benefits Communication and Building Engagement

Summer brings a change of pace for many employees, especially those working for Arizona school districts. While the school year ends and routines shift, benefits communication has a chance to shine. Summer tends to be slower. Fewer or no in-person meetings, less email volume, and a more relaxed pace mean your messages have an opportunity to stand out. While others go quiet, you get attention.

Benefits communication during the summer can help you build engagement by meeting employees where they are… relaxed, more receptive, and often overlooked. Moreover, summer often coincides with mid-year benefits check-ins, health and wellness resets, and vacation planning (when benefits like PTO, travel coverage, or EAPs matter most). You have an opportunity to connect their benefits to their real-life needs, making them feel relevant, not just procedural. 

Employees also notice when their employers communicate proactively outside of crisis moments or regulatory deadlines. Regular, clear benefits messaging to your employees shows care, consistency, and transparency. Moreover, keeping employees informed about year-round benefits like telehealth, wellness, and financial planning during the summer will help support smarter benefit utilization all year long.

In this post, we’ll explore effective benefits communication tips and tactics to help you build employee engagement over the summer and ensure that it lasts well into the new school year.

Adjust Your Benefits Communication Strategy for Summer

While benefits are complex, communication, especially over the summer months, should be simple and consistent. It should engage your school staff – not overwhelm and confuse them. Summer calls for flexible digital methods that go beyond meetings. Focus on formats that improve employee understanding and engagement.

• Provide clear instructions for logging into benefits portals or mobile apps.
• Send short, friendly email updates designed to keep benefits on employees’ minds without overwhelming minds or inboxes like a weekly “Did You Know?” benefit tips.
• Distribute short videos explaining common questions about the benefits available to them.
• Design easy-to-read infographics showing how to access wellness programs during downtime or engage in short summer wellness challenges (hydration, walking, mindfulness)
• Set up text reminders and/or app notifications from benefit providers, wellness, and your benefits communication platform.

For more ideas on boosting benefits communication, VSMG’s blog posts offer practical industry insights all tailored to public sector employers.

Keep Physical, Mental, and Wellness Health Benefits Visible During Summer

Summer can increase stress due to caregiving, financial pressures, and so much more. Keep physical, mental, and wellness health benefits front and center to school staff with these tips:

• Encourage employees to get their physical / annual wellness exam.
• Be sure to feature practical tips about using their benefits package wisely and vacation-related benefits reminders (PTO policies, travel insurance, EAP support)
• Remind employees of covered mental health services, including virtual visits via text message and email.
• Promote support programs such as employee assistance programs (EAPs) and financial coaching.
• Host virtual group challenges and workouts that encourage mindfulness, such as meditation and yoga.
• Share updates on paid time off policies to manage work-life balance.
• Highlight different aspects of your on-demand wellness programs that employees can do from home.

Make Access to Benefits Support Easy

Summer routines can disrupt how employees get help with benefits. It is always a good idea to promote clear contacts:

• Host a robust support page on your website and/or enrollment platform.
• Include a link to that support page in your HR team’s email signature.
• Provide a page for virtual care options like telehealth visits for quick medical consultations while traveling or off-site.
• Maintain an updated FAQ page covering common benefit-related questions.
• Use surveys to gather feedback on benefits’ support, and communication effectiveness.

Benefits Communication During the Summer Build Engagement

In short, summer is more than just a seasonal break—it’s a strategic break and opportunity to strengthen your connection with employees and boost engagement through meaningful benefits communication. By simplifying access, offering timely reminders, and keeping wellness resources upfront and visible, you can ensure your school district staff feels informed, supported, and valued—even when school’s out. Use this time wisely, and you’ll lay the groundwork for a smoother, more engaged start to the new school year.

VSMG has more than 20 years of experience supporting Arizona school districts with clear, consistent benefits outreach and communication strategies. Reach out today and learn about how our support can help your team stay connected and make informed decisions even in the summer months! 

About VSMG

Built by and for Arizona public sector employers, VSMG is a leading employee benefits consultant dedicated exclusively to serving Arizona school districts, municipalities, and other public entities for over 20 years. With offices in Phoenix and Tucson, we deliver expert advice, forward-thinking strategies, and cost-effective solutions that help our clients attract and retain top talent.