Emerging EB Business Insights
How Strategic Benefits Communication Helps Small Businesses Increase Employee Engagement
APRIL 1, 2025
To save money on employee benefits, many employers make significant changes to their plan designs and contribution strategies — often without fully explaining the changes to employees. However, benefits are an essential consideration for employees when they choose where to work: 59% of workers say the benefits offered to them were an important reason why they chose their employer.1 Employees unhappy with sudden changes or unaware of the full value of the benefits offered to them may decide to look for work elsewhere.
An effective benefits communication strategy is a must-have to increase employee engagement and satisfaction — and attract high-quality talent. One recent study found that employees who are satisfied with their benefits are:
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1.6 times more likely |
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1.5 times more likely |
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1.5 times more likely |
One-on-one enrollment support is a highly effective way to ensure employees understand the benefits offered to them, but many employers simply don’t have the time or resources available for this level of personalized assistance. Working with a trusted benefits partner can help employers drive engagement by increasing the reach of communication and depth of employee awareness.
What are the basics of a good employee benefits communication strategy?
- Understand where employees (and decision makers at home) prefer to receive communications, and create a multichannel strategy that incorporates all of those preferences.
- Establish a communication schedule that frequently shares important details and reminders, starting well in advance of open enrollment. This is crucial if there are any significant changes to benefit offerings.
- Explain the reasons behind any changes — deliver the facts about what’s changing and why the decision was made. Most employees will appreciate an honest explanation of what prompted the decision.
How USI Can Help
USI Insurance Services works with employers to develop benefits communication and open enrollment strategies that meet company needs. Our service provides:
- Communication materials — Print and digital resources such as memos and email templates, QR codes, and educational videos.
- Open enrollment materials — Custom benefit guides with important notices (to help meet health and welfare compliance obligations), interactive summary of benefits, new hire and open enrollment presentations and webinars, and benefits education.
- Benefit Resource Center — Call center staffed by USI benefits experts who can assist with plan member benefits questions and claims issues.2
Expand Open Enrollment Engagement With Cost-Effective Strategies
USI also leverages strategic vendor partnerships to help employers develop a more robust and engaging employee experience, including resources such as:
- Virtual and on-site benefits counselors
- Strategic communication strategies
- Streamlined enrollment support
Our full-service vendors may offset the cost of these expanded services with enrollment in voluntary benefits, like accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity. These products are usually offered at bundled discounted rates, creating savings for the employer while providing additional coverages employees desire.
USI works with clients to evaluate the most appropriate benefits and communication strategies and solution providers best suited to meet each company’s specific needs.
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Employers looking to improve employee engagement and reduce turnover should take a more strategic approach to benefits communication and employee engagement. Contact your local USI benefits consultant or email ebsolutions@usi.com to learn more. |
1 MetLife, 2024 Employee Benefit Trends Study
2 Benefit Resource Center is available to companies with 10 or more health-plan-eligible employees.
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