3 reasons 2013 will be THE year for benefits communication
Published January 17, 2013 1:24 PM
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Updated January 18, 2013 1:38 PM
1 Min Read
This year, effective benefits communication is keyheres why
"Better budgets and more time spent on strategic planning and better integration with overall goals are critical to engaging employees and maximizing the huge investment companies make in benefits," Benz says. "Below are three compelling reasons why 2013 will be the year benefits communication gets the recognition it deserves."
1. HR strategy will require it
According to Mercer, there are five major priorities for employer-sponsored health plans this yearall of which require robust and ongoing demands communication. Health care benefits are not just about getting people insured, Benz notes; they are about motivating, providing incentives and reinforcing the structure that will help create the radical behavior change needed to solve our country's health issues.
2. Workers will demand it
According to Benz Communications' Inside Benefits Communication survey, only 38% of employers provide benefits information outside their firewall on the Internet; just 29% communicate with employees year round; and only 10% use social media for benefits communication. "Employees deserve better, Benz says, adding that if they haven't already, this will be the year they start demanding it."
3. The C-suite will (hopefully) understand that they need it
More than two-thirds of companies (68%) are getting by on communication budgets of less than $25,000 a year. Given the power of benefits communication to significantly impact employee health and financial security -- at a time when it's so desperately needed -- 2013 is the year to ramp up the budget and ask for more resources. Benz notes that an investment of less than 1% of total benefits spend can have a huge impact on communication efforts. When C-suite executives ask for proof of ROI or help making health care expenses more predictable, tell them education and communication are crucial to those goals, Benz says.
