2020 Employee Benefit Trends That Are Worth Considering During Open Enrollment

Benefits open enrollment for your organization is right around the corner. And with the turbulent times of today you may be wondering how you can make your open enrollment process during the COVID-19 outbreak safe and successful.

The extraordinary challenges posed by the coronavirus has created a storm of emotion around benefits offerings for companies. Are you ready to meet the needs of your employees during open enrollment?

At Valley Schools, our goal is to provide best-in-class benefits consulting service for your employees. We’ve developed some helpful tips for your organization to implement to keep your teams safe through social distancing during these difficult times.

Open Enrollment Messaging

At this point, we’ll assume that you’ve dug into your audience demographics and you understand things like your mix of millennials versus Gen Xers versus boomers. Doing this research will help you segment your audience for which methods are best sharing your messages.

When conveying information about benefits and open enrollment it is important to be open when discussing benefits. Make your employees immediately aware of any changes in the benefits program that could affect them, such as increased health plan premiums. 

As you are communicating about open enrollment and benefits with your employees, be sure to keep the messaging simple. In addition to using simple wording that most people can understand, provide your employees with checklists and other tools that will make it easy to see what is being offered. 

Communication Delivery Methods During Open Enrollment

There are many ways that you can communicate your open enrollment benefits to your employees. During our current remote work environment it is important to remember that people need clear communication of what is on the horizon and to be empathetic towards our new working environment. Essentially, employees still need the necessary information to make informed decisions about their benefits. However, finding new ways to display that information can strengthen your organization for the future.

Take a Multi-Channel Approach

Do your research early to know how your employees would like to be contacted. Then you can build on this by utilizing multiple types of communication channels. By employing a mix of communication channels, companies can reach the same employee in multiple ways and at multiple times, thus reinforcing key messages. 

Shatter the one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to communicating to your employees. Try these ideas for open enrollment communication during remote working.

Upgrade Communications To Include Video

Crack the multi-generational code by implementing videos into your open enrollment process. This will help create the ultimate employee experience by engaging with each person through a format that anyone can understand. 

A video is also an excellent tool for all-company announcements and to engage with your deskless workforce or your remote workers.

Use Social Media

Digital communication is a must for today’s workforce, and the importance that social media plays in this role is huge. This electronic communication is likely to grow so get on board by sharing your open enrollment messages with your teams through your business social platforms. 

Text Message and Calendar Reminders

Jump into the modern world of communication through utilizing text messages to your employees. Setting up a reminder of when the open enrollment process starts and defining deadlines will keep all employees clued in digitally. Send a calendar reminder in your communications to make sure your employees have a reminder on their schedule. 

Employees need time to think about their options and let the information soak in. Sending them prompts throughout the process will help.. Round out your open enrollment communication through the other many electronic communications available like eblasts and emails so that the enrollment process is completed in a timely manner.

Upgrade Your Intranet Look For Open Enrollment

Through giving your benefits a cohesive look and feel on your company’s intranet portal, this will give you a touch point for all employees that can find what they need. Providing clear and professional communication about the process ensures that your employees know the next steps and deadlines to review and sign-up for their benefits.

Making an investment in your intranet to share the open enrollment process is truly valuable and it’s worth committing the time, resources and energy to communicate effectively.

Telephonic Meetings With Your Benefits Counselor

One of the best ways to get your questions about open enrollment benefits is to set up a meeting with your benefits counselor. If now is not a good time for an in-person meeting, set one up telephonically. Zoom is a great resource for video conferencing. Working with a  trained benefits consultant at Valley Schools can answer your questions and will help guide your company through this process. 

Valley Schools is your premier benefits consultants for school districts and government agencies. We are the experts in our field ready to help you through what can be an arduous process. We explore what’s trending in health benefits administration and employee wellness and want you to have all of the answers to make the most informed decision. Better Benefits. Better Advice!

Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your voluntary benefits offerings!