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As an employer, you know that your benefits package is key to hiring and keeping the best employees. Optional enrollment can make a benefits package in Oklahoma and nationwide even more attractive to some employees. However, your company won’t gain the full advantage of improved employee satisfaction and retention if enrollment rates remain low.
So how can you get more out of the benefits you offer? Try these ideas to boost enrollment.
Educate plan participants
The first step in ensuring your employees take full advantage of their benefits is to ensure they know what their options are.
However, enrollment and choosing the right plan can be complicated and too much information can feel overwhelming. Instead, keep content bite-sized to engage employees and help them remember the info. In addition, personalize your approach as much as possible. You can also ensure that they understand how taking advantage of regular health checks such as annual eye exams can reduce their health risks.
These benefits options should be introduced from the very beginning by building this into your standard onboarding process. This way, they can begin to make their choices early and receive value as soon as possible.
However, keep in mind that educating new hires is only one piece of this puzzle. You should continue this education with your current employees, who are likely to review their benefits after a life event or a raise.
Therefore, be sure to consider these milestones when sharing benefits information.
Support decision-making with in-person contact
While digital HR tools can make things easier, they lack the empathy and personal touch that only an in-person meeting can provide. Adopting a mixed approach that combines digital resources with in-person meetings is the best solution.
Talking face-to-face with HR employees will help plan participants feel valued. HR staff can provide information to support decision-making and give participants more confidence in their choices. Plus, it’s a chance for them to ask questions about things your educational content might not cover.
Understand expectations
You know that offering benefits aligned with workers’ needs will improve enrollment. So what do your employees want from their benefits package? Ask them!
Talk with employees to learn their wants and needs or consider a company-wide survey. Their answers will give you a better idea of how you can provide value through flexible benefits.
For instance, exam-only plans are a great example of how you can help a wide range of employees, including those who don’t wear glasses. In addition, these plans have lower out-of-pocket costs for regular vision checkups. As a result, everyone can use this benefit.
Be strategic
Start by looking for likely barriers to participation. For instance, is your enrollment process too complicated? Are your workers unsure of whether they will be able to use their benefits at their usual optometrist?
Employee surveys and interviews will help you find these barriers. Then you can put together a team of HR employees and give them clear enrollment goals.
Improve participation with the right plan
With Vision Care Direct of Oklahoma and nationwide, there are a wide range of plans to fit every budget and need. Speak with us today to learn more about how we can help ensure your optional enrollment benefits are a success and ensure your employees receive the value and care they deserve.
