Now more than ever, effective benefit communication is essential. Many employers are offering a wider range of voluntary benefits, health care costs are rising, and employee decisions are becoming more consumer-driven.
Traditionally, employees are enrolled in and educated on group benefits by attending a large meeting with many other coworkers. These benefit meetings are great for learning the ins and outs of new plans and changes to existing plans. While they work for many employees, some people are uncomfortable asking personal questions in front of coworkers. Then there are specific needs individuals (and families) may have that may not be addressed in the group setting.
The clearer benefit choices are communicated, the higher the rate of enrollment.
Many employers are turning to one-on-one benefits counseling to support employees in making informed health benefit decisions. Individuals are invited to sign up for time slots to discuss company offerings with Human Resources and financial professionals who focus on the employee’s specific needs with regard to medical care, retirement, voluntary benefits, etc.
Through one-on-one benefit counseling, employers can more easily:
- Engage employees in the benefits enrollment process
- Educate employees about the benefits they have, including voluntary benefits they think they might not need, or may not understand
- Build employee appreciation for the benefits offered, which supports morale and retention initiatives
- Achieve a better return on investment from benefits programs
- Help employees make better decisions about choosing benefits that are fitting for their lifestyle, medical health, family, and budget
- Show employees what the company spends on their behalf for benefits, and the value of the choices offered
When employees have personal guidance in making decisions about employer-sponsored benefits, both the individual and the company benefit.
