Open enrollment, it’s boring, it’s routine but it doesn’t have to be! With some creativity and the right plans, you can turn it into an engaging and exciting event that employees look forward to. Let’s make your open enrollment a success by exploring some simple tips to enhance it and get everyone actively involved.
1. Start Big with an Event
Start with a fun event, whether you plan a themed webinar, a virtual Q&A, or an in-person gathering. Make it lively with interactive elements to grab attention from the beginning. Consider incorporating games, live polls, and guest speakers to create a buzz and set a positive tone for the enrollment period.
2. Get Personal
One-size-fits-all doesn’t cut it in open enrollment. Customize your communication to address individual needs and preferences and highlight the most relevant options. Personalized communications are more engaging and show that you understand your employees’ unique situations and are here to help.
3. Talk about Open Enrollment
Create excitement by leveraging various channels. Use social media and internal communication platforms. Share intriguing facts about the benefits, countdowns to important dates, and sneak peeks of new offerings. The more you talk about open enrollment, the more engaged people will become.
4. Offer Incentives
Encourage participation by offering rewards like gift cards, entries into a raffle, or other perks. Ensure the incentives are appealing and relevant and communicate how employees can earn them. Extra motivation can go a long way in boosting engagement and adding more fun.
5. Avoid confusion
Confusion can be a significant barrier to participation. Provide clear, user-friendly resources to help employees navigate their options.
Create straight forward communication through:
- Provide a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) information page.
- Interactive tools such as benefits calculators, comparison charts, and decision-support software.
- Host live question-and-answer sessions to address common questions and concerns.
The more accessible the information, the less confusion and the more likely people are to get involved.
6. Make it fun
Incorporate games into the enrollment process to add an element of fun. Create quizzes or challenges related to knowledge of their benefits. Incorporate wellness fairs or wellness-related activities. Offer small rewards or recognition for participation and correct answers. Not only does this make the process more enjoyable, but it also helps reinforce important information in a fun way.
7. Provide Ongoing Support
After the kickoff, keep the momentum going with regular reminders and updates through email, dedicated support times, or other internal communication channels. Ensure people know they’re not alone in this process and that support is always available.
8. Solicit feedback
After the open enrollment period ends, gather employee feedback on their experience through surveys or feedback forms. Document what parts of the process worked well and where improvements are warranted. Analyzing this feedback helps refine the process for the future and shows employees that their opinions are valued and considered.
You’ve got this!
Transforming open enrollment from a routine task into an engaging event requires thoughtful planning, effective communication, and creative solutions. By leveraging these tips, you can boost excitement and engagement, making the open enrollment experience more enjoyable and effective for everyone involved. Engaged employees are better equipped to make informed decisions, leading to increased satisfaction and a more successful benefits program overall.
We can help.
Contact us to leverage HRchitect’s many years of experience in Benefits and Open Enrollment. We are here for you with client-side support to help you get across the finish line during open enrollment.
Are you concerned about your integrations? As we approach the benefits enrollment period, ensuring your integrations are seamless and efficient is crucial. At HRchitect, we build integrations with various benefit and 401k vendors and offer top-notch 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 to help you streamline your processes.
About the Author
Jayne Sutcliffe is an Implementation Manager at HRchitect. She joined in early 2023, and her over 16 years of experience led to her promotion soon after her arrival. Jayne has extensive experience in HR and benefits from her previous roles as an HR and Benefits Account Manager and Benefit Implementation Specialist.
When not working, Jayne enjoys being outside, boating, camping and walking with her dogs.
Learn more about Jayne on LinkedIn.