2019employee benefits webinar series ......engaging and enrolling employees top 5 effective benefit...

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2019 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS WEBINAR SERIES:

EFFECTIVE EMPLOYEE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

Francesca Drez

July 9, 2019

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AGENDA

• The Importance of Employee Benefit Communications

• Engaging and Enrolling Employees

• C&B Platforms and Channels

• Planning and Looking Forward

The Importance of Benefit CommunicationsMetLife

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BENEFIT COMMUNICATIONS

• Employers make significant financial investments in their employee benefit plans.

• 76% of employees believe that employers have a responsibility for the health and well-being of their employees. Met Life Trends 2019

• Only 4 in 10 employees strongly believe their employers' benefits communication is simple to understand. Met Life Trends 2019

• Why invest in these plans if employees don’t have the proper understanding to appreciate and utilize them?

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BENEFIT COMMUNICATIONS

Employees who understand their benefits and receive effective communications around

benefits tend to make wiser benefit selections and can become

more empowered in their journey toward financial security.

When it comes to workplace benefits, employees can often feel confused and

overwhelmed by their choices. It’s important to communicate the value of the benefits being offered in a way that employees will feel engaged and

understand their options.

A competitive benefit program is vital for attracting & retaining employees.

EFFECTIVE BENEFIT COMMUNICATION IS CRUCIAL TO A SUCCESSFUL BENEFIT PROGRAM

•All data from the 13th Annual MetLife U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study 2015,unless otherwise noted; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, NY, NY 10166

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BENEFIT COMMUNICATIONS

ENHANCING YOUR ACTIVE ENROLLMENT STRATEGY

Engaging and Enrolling EmployeesMetLife

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ENGAGING AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

LOW BENEFITS ENGAGEMENT IS DRIVEN BY DIFFICULTY IN ENROLLMENT AND A LACK OF COMPREHENSION

39% 1/3

42%

of employees don’t understand supplement health benefits

of employees find enrollment stressful

of employees are confused by some or all of their benefits information

Onlyof employees have the information they need to make confident decisions

1/3

Source: 15th Annual MetLife's Annual Employee Benefit Trends Survey

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STAY CLEAR AND CONCISE

• Avoid static noise.

• Keep messages clear and consistent.

• Communicate a sense of respect and care.

ENGAGING AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

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DEMOGRAPHIC

• Encompasses:• Age• Gender• Occupation• Geographic Location

• What demographics do better with what channels?

ENGAGING AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

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ENGAGING AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

TOP 5 EFFECTIVE BENEFIT COMMUNICATIONS

Employees ranked the most effective resources with 1-on-1 in-person meetings and group in-person meetings favored.

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EMPLOYEE PREFERENCES - UNUM BLUEPRINT STUDY

• 43% prefer emails, from either inside or outside the company

• 32% prefer announcements via the company intranet

• 30% prefer face-to-face sessions or talks led by the company

• 27% prefer printed materials Unum Benefits Communication Blueprint

ENGAGING AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

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ENGAGING AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

ENGAGING YOUR EMPLOYEES USING COMMUNICATION BEST PRACTICES

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ENGAGING AND ENROLLING EMPLOYEES

• Un-informed benefit decisions

• Stress and confusion

• Benefit programs used incorrectly or not at all

• Lack of understanding, leading to lack of appreciation

• Lack of engagement

CONSEQUENCES OF INEFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

C&B Platforms and Channels

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ENROLLMENT GUIDES & SUMMARIES

GUIDESUMMARY

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ANNOUNCEMENT MATERIALS

EMAILPOSTCARD

POSTER

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VIDEOS

NARRATED VIDEOS

ANIMATED OFF-THE-SHELF BENEFIT TOPIC VIDEOS

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SOCIAL MEDIA

• Social Media Materials

• Facebook & LinkedIn

• Copy content acts as the basis for email blasts. • 2-in-1 with double the potential for reach.

GRAPHICS

Planning and Looking Forward

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PLANNING

Preparation of these materials should begin 3-5 months prior to your open enrollment period to ensure that each of the materials is delivered promptly throughout the OE campaign.

Below are suggested dates to release these materials in the month leading to Open Enrollment.

*Social Media campaign takes place in the month prior and in the week during OE.

POSTCARD POSTER MEMO SUMMARY GUIDE VIDEO

Deliver4 weeksprior to OE.

Deliver 3 weeks prior to OE.

Deliver 2 weeks prior to OE.

Deliver 2 weeks prior to OE.

Deliver 1 week prior to OE.

Deliver 1 week prior to OE.

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LOOKING FORWARD

• Stay aware!

• Get to now your audience!

• Make a plan

• Have materials complete and ready to send to employees 1 month prior to Open Enrollment