Engaging Employees in Benefits Programs

When I worked in the corporate world, "open enrollment" was not my favorite time of year. Loads of paperwork, confusing plans--it was enough to discourage anyone. When it comes to wellness programs, the same applies: If employees find it difficult to enroll (or don't really understand the offerings), participation rates will be low. So what's the answer? How do you get people engaged?

Here are four suggestions:

• Start with a health screening. Once employees know their numbers, they're better able to set goals and choose which parts of the program meet their needs.
  
• Survey your employees. Knowing which topics interest the most people will help you tailor the program to maximize participation.
  
• Organize a kick-off event. Try to include something fun--an interesting seminar, or a healthy cooking demonstration.
  
• Communicate regularly. Weekly health tips, sent by e-mail, help to keep the program top of mind. Share success stories whenever possible. 

The art of communication is a popular subject. HR Benefits Alert recently blogged about how employees often underestimate the value of their benefits package; over at Health Populi, you can read about a recent J.D. Power employee survey that also deals with the topic.