When it comes to employee recruitment and retention, savvy employers know the importance of competitive, comprehensive benefits. In fact, 72 percent of working Americans say they value better health benefits over higher salaries.1 That’s why you invest so much time and effort in creating the perfect benefits package for your team.
But simply offering a solid benefits package is only half the battle. To really boost overall job satisfaction, you have to ensure your employees actually understand their benefits. According to a recent MetLife study, 76 percent of employees who understand their benefits say they are happy at work and 82% believe their benefits give them a greater sense of stability.2
It’s easy to see why. Employees who understand their benefits are more likely to use them, whether for preventative care, vision care or mental health— all of which contribute to a greater sense of wellbeing at home and at work.
So how do you help employees understand their benefits package? We are here with some useful strategies to creating benefits-literate employees for a healthier, happier workplace.
Understand the gap
Before you can solve a benefits-literacy problem, you must first understand it. Which employees are more likely to misread or misinterpret the terms of your benefits package? Consider launching a company-wide survey to find out. You can keep this anonymous to protect privacy and encourage more honest answers, but make sure you capture classifying details like age and family status, which might help illuminate trends. In today’s multi-generational workforce, employees are extremely diverse and in vastly different stages of life. Identifying gaps in awareness and understanding will enable you to initiate more targeted solutions to address them.
Simplify your communication
Given the complexity of what they cover, benefits packages are inherently complicated. But your communications surrounding them shouldn’t be. When talking to employees about their plan options, use everyday language and simple explanations. Avoid industry jargon where possible and create a useful glossary of technical terminology and acronyms. Incorporate motion graphics and visual aids like explainer videos and infographics to make information more digestible, engaging, and easier to comprehend.
You should also look to your insurance providers to help you create simplified messages for your employees. At EyeMed, our member-facing tools such as Member Web and Member App were designed specifically to help members understand their vision insurance benefits and make them easier to use.
Reach employees where they are
Take another look at your internal communication strategy and consider how to best reach your employees, especially if your workplace is multi-generational. A mix of email, messaging, videos, in-person meetings, and archived resources will ensure everyone feels equipped to find what they need, when they need it.
Make it personal
A good benefits package is never one-size-fits-all. The same is true of a good approach to benefits education. In addition to individual consultations with HR or benefits specialists, your employees should have access to personalized materials that guide them through their specific benefits package and how they can make the most of it. By connecting the dots between their benefits and their life and needs, you’ll help them make informed decisions and empower them to prioritize their health and wellbeing.
A cost calculator is one way to do this. For instance, EyeMed’s Know Before You Go tool estimates what a member’s total out-of-pocket costs will be based on their vision needs, style preferences, and lifestyle, so there are fewer surprises when it comes time to pay their provider.
For even more customizable touchpoints, consider personalized mailers and messages. EyeMed sends our members annual savings summary postcards, eye exam reminders, and text messages to ensure they are informed and encouraged to take advantage of everything their vision insurance benefits have to offer.
Take a year-round approach to benefits education
The best way to ensure your employees truly understand their benefits package is to talk to them about it all year long, not just when open enrollment rolls around. After they’ve enrolled, keep the benefits conversation going through frequent reminders, readily available resources, and opportunities for employees to ask questions as they arise. Blogs and newsletters are a low-pressure way to remind employees about their benefits and nudge them to schedule their next exam, while gamified learning and rewards programs incentivize continuing education and engagement.
Lean on your providers
A good insurance provider should also be a dedicated partner, providing ongoing support to help you educate your employees about their benefits. EyeMed provides our employer partners with toolkits full of helpful turnkey resources, including a monthly wellness calendar. Our articles, interactive features, and tools are designed to promote vision health throughout the year, and come with intros and links meant to be easily copy and pasted into internal newsletters, emails and more.
Looking to boost benefits-literacy at your workplace? Need help implementing a year-round education strategy? Speak with your EyeMed representative to get started.
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1 “Research finds three-quarters of working Americans prioritize health benefits over higher salaries”; Voya Financial; voya.com; September 2024.
2 “Employees who want happiness and stability can’t overlook benefits”; Business Wire; businesswire.com; September 2023 .
Fully insured vision clients are underwritten by: Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company®, Kansas City, MO 64111 and Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company® of New York.
