When you offer employee benefits to retain and attract top talent, you’re starting off on the right foot each and every time you hire a new employee. There’s a catch though: what if the top talent employee you just hired does not fully understand what’s available to them with your employee benefits package you’re offering or how it actually works? Those benefits will go unused and your initial investment into the employees benefits package will not have the full impact it could have. Here at The Lambert Agency, we’re able to help employers not only design and implement the best benefit programs available for their employees, but also communicate effectively and efficiently every step of the way so employees will be able to take full advantage of what’s being offered.
Why Communication Matters
Communication is key in any business or relationship, and employee benefits are no different. Many studies have shown that nearly 40% of employees do not fully understand what’s available to them with their employee benefits package. That means they’re missing out on valuable health, retirement, and supplemental programs which could improve their lives. Clear communication, when done right, is just as valuable as the employee benefits themselves.
5 Strategies to Explain Employee Benefits Clearly
1. Keep It Simple
Clear and simple communication is always best. Insurance and retirement related language can become complicated quickly. Through avoiding jargon and breaking down each employee benefit in plain English, you can provide a much clearer depiction of what the employee benefits package entails. An example of this is: instead of saying “high-deductible health insurance plan”, explain it as “a health insurance plan with lower monthly premium payments, but higher upfront costs if you happen to need medical care.” Here at The Lambert Agency, we’re able to provide employers with easy-to-read benefits guides for their employees to fully grasp what’s available to them.
2. Use Multiple Communication Channels
Don’t rely on just one meeting or one single email. Properly share information through:
- Onboarding packets
- Staff meetings
- Email reminders
- Company intranet or HR portals
Repetition in the process will assist in building understanding.
3. Highlight Real-Life Examples
Employees will grasp benefits and truly understand what’s available when they see how said benefits apply to everyday life. Examples of this could include:
- How disability insurance replaces income during recovery.
- How dental coverage reduces out-of-pocket costs for routine care.
- How an HSA can be used for both today’s expenses and future medical needs.
The Lambert Agency is happy to provide case studies and scenarios to make abstract benefits real and easily understood.
4. Offer One-On-One Support
Yes, group benefit meetings can be very beneficial, yet employees will often appreciate private conversations where they can ask any and all personal questions in relation to their employee benefits package. When you choose to partner with The Lambert Agency, we will provide your team with access to licensed advisors who can walk your employees through their available options.
5. Keep Communication Ongoing
Employee benefits education should not be a “one and done” scenario. Regular reminders and meetings throughout the year will help keep employee benefits top of mind. Here at The Lambert Agency, we’ve helped plenty of businesses create ongoing communication calendars to keep employees properly engaged.
The Payoff: Higher Satisfaction & Retention
When employees truly understand and use their benefits, they’ll be able to:
- Feel more valued by their employer
- Experience lower stress about healthcare & finances
- Are less likely to leave for a competitor
This means your company receives a stronger ROI on every dollar you spend on benefits.
Choose The Lambert Agency for Your Employee Benefits Needs Today
Offering great employee benefits is only half of the battle. Explaining said employee benefits effectively and efficiently is what will allow them to be truly valuable. Through simplified communication, relatability throughout policy selection, and ongoing support, you’re able to empower your employees to take full advantage of the employee benefits programs you provide. Here at The Lambert Agency, we make the employee benefits process easy, for both employers and employees. We design plans and communicate clearly to ensure your investment in employee benefits delivers the maximum possible return on investment.
