When it comes to factors that are crucial for retention, few come close to the proven benefits of a positive workplace culture. Innovation can only take you so far. It’s your people who are the front line for delivering on your company’s promise.
In larger companies, the business of building a positive overall experience depends on HR. But in smaller organizations, the lines between who’s responsible for this or that program or benefit are often blurred. That’s why it’s so important, especially in small businesses, for management and HR to harness the power of technology to help make sure things run smoothly.
In a recent MetLife study, it was found that the most loyal employees are those who are satisfied with their benefits. Ranking at the very top of the list was healthcare benefits, which are a driving force behind why many workers stay with their employer for many years.
Given the importance of employee benefits for employee engagement and retention, let’s look at three ways technology can help you hit it out of the park in those categories.
1. Education
It isn’t enough that you make information about their benefit options available. Employees feel most valued when you meet them where they are and tailor your communications so that they answer the exact questions they have about their benefits.
This is especially true of millennials, who comprise a huge segment of today’s workforce. They are often the most lacking in knowledge about benefits in general, so make sure to go the extra mile to help them understand how the process works.
The best ways to educate your employees are through an online/mobile benefits portal. More people than ever are managing almost every aspect of their lives via their computers or mobile devices. Why should their benefits be any different?
2. Regular Communication
Annual enrollment is not the only time to educate your employees about their benefits. They must also be updated anytime there are changes in plans or procedures. Technology is the best way to disseminate this information without disrupting productivity. It also allows your employees to access the information when they choose so that it can be best received and understood.
Many automated programs allow you to send updates via mobile devices, in the form of an alert. Having the ability to communicate important information in real time allows you to communicate seamlessly with your employees.
3. Informed Decision-making
It’s scary but true…almost 40{d044ab8acbff62f209a116f8142e303cb886f535b0fcf58cb82cde7cb327d3c9} of Americans spend less than 15 minutes making their decision about which employee-sponsored health plan option to choose. And something as important as health insurance shouldn’t be decided on a whim.
Many programs offer tools that can help employees understand the ramifications of choosing certain plans and determine which one best fits their personal situation. Not to mention, employees who are able to research, say, a list of pre-approved in-network doctors and read reviews of them generally feel much more comfortable with their choice and the care they end up receiving.
At the end of the day, benefits are only one piece of the puzzle when establishing a positive workplace culture. But they’re an awfully big one. Healthy employees are happy employees. And happy employees generally perform better than their counterparts.
With solid employee benefits, plus easy access to benefit education and decision-making tools, your retention, employee engagement, and overall workplace environment will be better poised for success.