To say the COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges to the business world would be an understatement. The shift to remote working has created numerous obstacles not only for the rank-and-file, but also for HR professionals in charge of managing their benefits.
For example, anxiety created by the pandemic has driven many employees to neglect their personal health and put off making decisions about their health benefits. At the same time, employers must find a way to deliver complex information about those benefits in a virtual setting.
It is clear that a new approach is necessary to ensure all workers have the details they need to make the best decisions for their wellbeing and that of their families. Fortunately, working with an experienced provider of business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions can help boost employee engagement during the open enrollment period.
A High-Tech, High-Touch Approach
Working within the new normal created by COVID-19 means that HR professionals have to bring new tactics to the table. It is no longer enough to hand out brochures or hold in-person meetings to explain healthcare benefits. With so many people working remotely, there needs to be an open enrollment process that balances technology and high-touch guidance from experts to ensure the best results.
The process should begin with digital immersion to educate employees about their options by distributing documents via email or publication on the company website. Once these materials have been disseminated, virtual events should be held to launch the process and inform personnel about next steps.
Microsites could be a great way to reinforce the information that workers have received and encourage them to complete the enrollment procedure. When the time comes for employees to enroll, analytics and advanced AI assistants built into an app or website can help guide them to completion. However, having live experts available to chat or connect with employees through a video conference provides high-touch guidance that can make the process easier.
As a leader in BPO services, Conduent has helped numerous organizations improve their open enrollment as well as many other processes. Utilizing the expertise of a proven provider could lead to a substantial increase in enrollment and improve the employee experience. To learn more about how HR departments can enhance engagement throughout the open enrollment process and how Conduent can help deliver better outcomes, take a look at the accompanying resource.
