Ensure Success in Open Enrollment with HR's Help

HR Question: I recently took on the responsibility of overseeing our company's benefits. Can you offer advice on the role HR should play in benefits open enrollment to ensure its success?

HR Answer: As many employers, like yourself, are in the midst of planning for benefits open enrollment, it takes me back to the early days in my HR career. During one of my first HR positions, I assumed my employee benefits broker could effortlessly pull off a stellar enrollment while I worked on other HR priorities. That is when I learned – the hard way – that a broker cannot work autonomously to assemble and communicate your benefits program.

There is no doubt that employee benefits brokers play a vital role in any benefits enrollment process. They know what benefits programs are available, which vendors can provide them and how benefits are priced. An experienced employee benefits broker will also take the time to understand your organization and develop a customized employee benefits plan to meet your workforce's needs. However, they cannot operate effectively without an HR professional taking a leadership role in the process. Having learned this lesson firsthand, I can share the following suggestions on the role HR should play in making your benefits open enrollment successful.

Please select this link to read the complete article from OSAP Member Clark Schaefer Strategic HR.