You’re probably familiar with this phenomenon. It’s open enrollment season, and your employees’ usually pleasant expressions start turning into something that looks more like this.
Benefits StinkFace is a look of disgust that’s often displayed by a worker who feels annoyed, frustrated, or even confused by something they’re being asked to do. And, if left untreated, it can lead to loss of satisfaction, production, and ultimately money for their employers.
Here are 7 ways you can avoid seeing people in your organization walk around wearing this expression.
- Avoid jargon. Insurance terms and language can be confusing. Whenever possible, try to explain or translate it into language you’d use in everyday conversation.
- Spruce up your presentations. Rather than just heaping a bunch of boring data onto your employees during benefits meetings, do your best to keep things interesting.
- Break things up. In written communications, avoid long blocks of texts with no images or paragraph breaks. Even long lists of bullet points can be overwhelming.
- Explain new plans thoroughly. If you’re introducing new plan options, a visual side-by-side comparison with the old plans can help clarify any uncertainties.
- Keep things consistent. Don’t call the same thing by multiple names. Make sure all departments and managers refer to the same programs or plans using the same terminology.
- Include a call to action. End each communication about benefits by telling employees what they should do or expect next, even if it’s just to wait for more info.
- Address any grey areas. Employees often have questions about services that fall outside the realm of normal checkups and emergencies, like psychiatry and chiropractic services. Answer those.
Benefits StinkFace is a serious condition, but with these tips you can hopefully avoid an outbreak in your organization. For more information you can read this article on LifeHealthPro, or contact us if we can help.