Consider all communication channels. A generationally diverse audience has diverse communications preferences. Our research indicates that the most common communication channels used by clients include a benefit booklet, employee meetings/benefit fairs, emails, and intranet articles. While these are certainly effective vehicles, consider other ways employees are not only getting their information, but how they're talking about benefits with each other within the company. For example:

One client I work with is using a Slack channel to not just push information out on benefits, but also to generate opportunities to engage with employees and react to their feedback.
Working with this employer, I've also discovered the internal messaging power that employee resource groups (ERGs) have. These can include groups focused on PRIDE/Transgender or DE&I issues, veterans, employees with disabilities, caregivers, etc. The intent of ERGs is to enable employees to talk about their situation with other employees experiencing similar things.

They have a strong voice, are sharing their stories and promoting their initiatives. Keep these groups in mind as a conduit of information which could provide more insights about benefits that align with supporting their respective communities. For example, family-focused ERGs are geared toward making sure employees and their loved ones are prepared for the unexpected.

Consider the potential of using QR codes, which are especially easy to use to help point employees directly to the information they need, such as a website or other informational resources housed online, like PDFs, infographics or flyers.

Show how benefits work together. When you present employees with all the benefits available to them, it may start to feel like a laundry list – and an unrelated, even overwhelming set of choices to make. But the more you pair benefits together, the more it can help employees address an overarching theme or resolve a particular issue they face.

Instant Insights /

5 ways to ramp up benefits communication beyond open enrollment

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