With a potential savings of $3.4 billion a year, it makes sense that employers should invest in how their employees engage with open enrollment and their benefits. They can do that by:

Enhancing the employee experience. That means guiding employees through their choices during enrollment and then helping them use what they choose in a way that drives satisfaction. This is especially important as employers work to meet the expectations of a younger and ever-changing workforce and offer them a variety of new benefits, from infertility and mental health to paid parental leave, according to the Outlook Report. MetLife's 21st annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study shows that employees who feel cared for in this and other ways are 65% more likely to be loyal. Insights from Voya Financial also show that 72% of employees will spend time reviewing their benefit elections during Open Enrollment to help make the most of their benefit dollars. Helping them along and providing comprehensive packages — from mental health counseling to critical illness treatment, family leave and Life Insurance payments — ensures organizations are meeting evolving employee expectations.
Using proven techniques for year-round engagement. Establishing a robust strategy to engage employees throughout the year is not just a best practice, it's also critical for employee satisfaction, usage and the overall success of the program. There are plenty of ways to do it, with HR technology like AI-powered automation playing a key role as highlighted in the report. That includes communicating around benefits and enrollment during new hire orientation and conducting regular employee check-ins to address any concerns or changes. Organizations can also create a feedback loop where employees can share their experiences and suggest improvements.
Providing resources for timely benefit utilization: The easier your organization makes it for employees to access benefits information, the better it is for everybody. That involves making resources readily available across a variety of channels (e.g., print, digital, mobile and even in-person meetings) so as to reach all employees based on their individual learning styles and communications preferences.

Instant Insights /

Navigating the post-open enrollment marathon for employee benefits

More From HR Executive

Related Stories

Recommended For You