Comments on: Putting benefits terms in language employees understand

By: Kerwin

Kerwin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:46:41 +0000

I agree. It is a lot of information to digest at one time. We can do all we can to answer any questions, clarify any terminology, etc., and send weekly reminders. Of course, you always have those few people who just take all that information and set it in a corner–until something comes and there is nothing we can do about it.

But also, it depends on the station in life the person is in. A single person with no kids will give the information less thought than someone who is married (and has kids).

By: Edward

Edward — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:57:07 +0000

Remember that orientation throws a ton of information and forms at employees in a relatively short time period and can be a bit overwhelming.

We have offices located in three different states and I am the only person that handles the benefits – but you have to do your best for the employees that is what you are there for.

Some people just do not understand due dates and the need to properly complete forms and I see a trend that shows things will get worse.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:18:24 +0000

We provide the eligible employee with an orientation and their package along with a letter they sign acknowledging the date and time they have to have the medical, dental and life paperwork back in the HR Department’s hands ( 10 business days prior to the first day of coverage). We provide them with phone numbers ant theorientation at least 2-3 weeks prior to the return due date. It outlines that failure to return the forms by the return date will require a wait until Open enrollment in August for September 1st coverage. Since we work cover a 5 county area the due in our hand date works fairly well.. We are a small office (3 staff including Director and a Manager of QA as her backup) so we still call -but 40% do not have individual e-mail. Those who are late have always left it a home… one 27 year old man wanted his mother to look it over first – he had the paperwork for over a month and was a rehire from 2 years earlier!

By: Edward

Edward — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:00:56 +0000

Unless you have a couple of dozen EEs a month you could send reminder e-mails after two weeks letting them know that they have two weeks or they will have to wait until open enrollment. Do not forget to use a read receipt.

By: Benefits Administrator

Benefits Administrator — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 18:48:09 +0000

Just be sure to cover all the bases–being complete is very important in explaining benefits. Not everyone will understand the concepts–regardless of how “simply” it is explained. Occasionally, some employees hear what they want to hear.

It’s frustrating to have employees question why do they have to wait until open enrollment periods when the 30 day initial enrollment period has expired. It is part of the benefits orientation (all full time employees get a personal one-on-one session). So it’s not like they’ve NEVER heard it before…..now that they want to get coverage.