Whether it’s expediting the candidate experience, enriching employee onboarding, streamlining Open Enrollment or tackling a one-off issue, it’s generally assumed that employees can look to their employers for insights, information and timely solutions. In fact, 67% of employees believe their employer offers the most effective response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

And, while it’s more critical than ever for employers to communicate through challenges their workers are facing, it’s equally important to admit the unknowns. If you don’t have all the answers, it’s okay to say so. Be as transparent as possible about the ways your organization is working to get answers, respond to obstacles and uncertainty in a timely manner, and don’t be afraid to overcommunicate as needed.

As employers begin planning for this year’s Open Enrollment season, many are facing the newfound challenge of educating employees about benefits selections from afar. COVID-19 has ushered in a whole new world of work for companies around the globe, and clear and consistent employee communications are essential to keeping workforces connected and informed.

With that said, Open Enrollment is still an opportune time to engage your employees and update them on benefits they can use to navigate these unprecedented times. It’s also a proactive way to highlight offerings that enhance employee wellness — even (and especially) if they’re working from home.

The Situation: How COVID is Changing the Way We Work

The unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19 heightened the need for clear and compassionate employee communications. As workers quickly transitioned from a "typical" workday to some juggling remote work and wondering what returning to work would be like in the "new normal", many have turned to their employers for clarity about what comes next.

When COVID-19 began its rapid spread, it brought with it a wave of uncertainty and unexpected changes for employees. Our client, a leading global specialty chemical manufacturing and performance materials company, recognized the toll the pandemic could take on its employees' well-being right away. During this time, they observed a noticeable decline in Employee Assistance Program (EAP) activities in Q1 (down 33% from Q1 2019) and participation in their Well-Being program was pacing behind 2019 metrics.

If you are an HR professional or a benefits specialist, capturing employees' attention can be a challenge even in optimal Open Enrollment scenarios. This season, the unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID-19 are adding an extra layer of complexity and the need for technological tools and communications that can reach an expanding remote workforce.

As employees grapple with a shifting sense of “normal,” many are working from home with additional responsibilities— from homeschooling their children to helping high-risk family members stay safe in isolation. Not to mention the stresses that can stem from job security and an uncertain global future.

The Pressing Need for Virtual Enrollment

From healthcare coverage to contribution elections, Employee Assistance Programs and other ancillary benefits, getting employees to make timely benefits decisions will be more crucial than ever in a COVID-19 world. But how will you provide benefits information to employees who might be working remotely or facing imminent changes to their employment status?

This season, think about offering a virtual Open Enrollment, so you can capture and keep employees' attention, regardless of where they are. If you have an existing benefits website or intranet, you’re already a step in the right direction!

During this unprecedented time, technology is the crucial bridge between many employees and their workplaces. It is even more essential to communicate effectively as well as create opportunities to connect despite the distance. It can be challenging to get the message out to employees across varying locations without the right communication tools to keep them engaged. 

Video is an effective medium you can use to help cut through the noise and capture employees’ attention. Video communications allow you to connect in a clear, authentic way and motivate vividly and visually, capturing the kind of realism that an email or phone call simply cannot. 

Internal communications videos are popular, cost-friendly, easy-to-create tools you can use to increase employee engagement, spark team collaboration and ensure reusable, secure content to keep in your organizational archives.

The last time Ocean Spray was featured on our blog, we focused on their efforts (and success) in implementing an employee benefits website. Now that employees are comfortable with digital communications, how do we make more of an impact, gain insight and build toward the future? The organic next step was to create a strategy and management plan that would enable their communications to continually evolve and adapt to their employees’ needs. Read on to see how we helped.

There are certain employee communication plans you hope your organization never has to use. They stay tucked away in the shared drive for an unthinkable and unlikely day. But with the rapidly-evolving coronavirus pandemic blindsiding employers around the globe, the unfathomable is becoming the norm. Some are left to dig out their crisis communication plans while others are starting a draft from scratch.  

A Clean-Slate Organizational Opportunity 

In January, after the frenzy of year-end push subsides and the holidays have come and gone, organizations around the globe are presented with a unique opportunity: the clean slate that comes with a brand new year. It can be used to kick-start an array of new initiatives – from health and wellness incentives to policy and system changes, strategic planning and goal setting for the next few quarters. It’s an intuitive time to introduce mission-critical endeavors and an essential time to engage your employees for success in the year ahead. 

Productivity, Performance, Profitability & Retention: The Perks of Employee Engagement

According to a 2018 Gallup survey, organizations with higher levels of employee engagement and lower levels of active disengagement consistently outperform their competitors. From a profitability standpoint, employers who excel in engaging their employees realize four times the earnings-per-share growth of those who don’t. Companies in the top quartile of engagement achieve substantially better customer engagement and employee retention, increased productivity, fewer accidents and 21% higher profitability. Engaged workers also report better health outcomes. In 2019, a G2 Crowd survey reported companies planned to increase employee engagement spending by 45%, a sign that discerning employers recognize the undeniable importance of keeping an engaged workforce. 

The way your organization engages with your employees during these first few weeks of the year can set the tone for your most vital 2020 initiatives. Creating communications that motivate employees to get involved and mitigate their concerns can help your organization stay in that top quartile, enjoying the real perks of employee engagement. 

It’s never too soon to start thinking about what to include in your 2020 and 2021 employee benefits packages. How can your HR team stay flexible yet current with a series of compliance changes? Which benefits will be seen as non-negotiables in competitive job offers? Global HR firm Mercer recently unveiled its annual list of the top compliance issues employers should consider when compiling their benefits packages for 2020. 

Here Are The Top 5 Offerings Set to Become Staples in the Benefits Packages of 2020... and Beyond:

If you’re feeling a little bit frazzled at the thought of Open Enrollment, it might be time for you to take a different organizational approach.

To help you streamline your thoughts and create a successful battle plan, here is a list of five easy tips to fully prepare for the Open Enrollment rush and stay productive when things get hectic: