Since the onset of COVID-19, open enrollment has become increasingly personal. With the number of employees working from home skyrocketing from 17% before the pandemic to 44% currently, an entirely new world of work is upon us. A 2020 Metlife survey concluded that employees found open enrollment to be more important and spent more time selecting their benefits than the previous year. Facing a pandemic, work-from-home environments, and difficult financial situations, employees have now shifted their value to hiring managers, companies, and HR departments that are more willing to explain enrollment options and take into account the personal situation of each individual.
Effective Communication Equals Empathy and Understanding
While open and effective communication has always been important, it is even more valuable when considering your open enrollment period. In order to effectively communicate with employees, HR teams should consider the unique needs of each individual when offering and explaining benefits. You may also choose to reach out to each employee individually to express care, concern, and understanding.
Supporting Management is Key
As an organization, your management, team, and employees are what keep you running. Offering support in the form of communication, resources, and education to management can help instill a sense of community and understanding from the ground up.
We have come a long way since the beginning of the pandemic, but ensuring that your employees, HR department, and management team feel safe, heard, and understood is key to excellent communication and trust within your organization. Need assistance with this year’s upcoming open enrollment? PES can help educate employees on their benefits options. Visit About Us – PES (pesenrollments.com) to learn more about our mission.
