It’s no news that COVID-19 has rocked the entire economy and shaken up the business environment. Businesses must now develop strategies on how to adapt to the “new normal”. Many things within a business are likely affected by this change, including how to market employee benefits in a blended work environment. This transition is leading employee benefits teams to look for a completely fresh way to introduce and deliver benefits information during these changing times.
Even before the Coronavirus pandemic there was an increased focus on a “blended work” environment. This meant companies were focusing on how exactly to help employees better reach a work-life balance. MetLife’s Employee Benefit Trends Study for the year 2020 suggests that wellness programs play a huge role in employee satisfaction. This is why it’s critical that companies take the new blended work environment into consideration to create an effective and efficient employee benefits marketing plan.
Model a Blended Work Environment
A focus on flexibility and work-life balance is still relatively new for most businesses. Before Covid-19, supporting “blended work” was simply encouraging employees to take more time for family events or volunteer work. In fact, the goal was to shift a center of focus from exclusively on work and productivity to an approach that balanced work with personal life activities. Managers and others in leadership positions were encouraged to model and practice balancing work and home life. Modeling this type of flexibility was key for companies to encourage employees to do the same.
Additionally, businesses may have also offered personal days or set up policies for volunteer hours during the workday. These formal actions are examples of more ways to promote flexibility and prevent employee burnout. However, in the wake of COVID-19, balancing work and life has become increasingly difficult. Children and pets have become Zoom meeting attendees and employee’s breaks are spent switching the laundry or loading the dishwasher. This is why it remains imperative for companies to focus on setting guidelines while continuing to model flexibility. Thus, maintaining productivity and satisfaction within their workforce.
Provide Convenient Solutions
Try promoting this flexibility by providing employees tools that help easily and conveniently connect with the business from anywhere. Unfortunately, modern technology can make it more difficult to have an official end of the workday. In fact, half of workers surveyed reported that technology makes it hard to stop thinking about work.
Despite technology making some things more difficult, it also makes engaging with employees much easier. Try to create opportunities for employees to engage with the company even in their newly established, blended environment. Employees are likely juggling more activities on top of their work, which is why making benefits accessible while they’re on the move is important.
Build an Effective Employee Benefits Marketing Plan
Benefits Zone is a virtual employee engagement solution. It serves as a hub for all voluntary benefits. Instead of having multiple websites, brochures, or flyers to review benefits information, Benefits Zone provides a platform that houses all of these things in one, easy-to-access mobile app. It allows employees to review benefits offerings, schedule appointments with an agent, and even enroll for benefits directly. Additionally, enrollers, brokers, and HR can track employee engagement with the app to better manage, organize, and engage with employees. The benefits team can even work with Benefits Zone to schedule texts to employees.
Especially in a blended work environment, Benefits Zone helps companies boost engagement and reduce costs while increasing employee awareness of benefits offerings. Contact us to learn more.
