
When there is a crisis that affects a large portion of your workforce, be it a pandemic, natural disaster, or other force majeure that alters the daily operations of your company, it’s important to be sensitive to the immediate needs of your employees. One way to show your support as an employer, or even as a benefits broker assisting clients, is by continuing to provide key information about how the crisis may affect employee benefits.
If you’re not sure how to go about effectively communicating benefits information during a crisis, we’ve compiled some of our go-to tips to help employers and benefits brokers be supportive and successful while conveying important updates.
Above all, try to have compassion and patience with employees and clients who may repeatedly ask questions about information you have already provided or may be less responsive than usual. Have flexibility and understand that during a crisis, individuals are often dealing with more stress than usual in their personal lives that can temporarily affect how they perform at work and receive information.
Continue to be supportive and find creative ways to keep the key benefits information flowing. And remember to also take care of your own needs in the process!
Jennifer Hervy, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, serves as ConnectYourCare’s Vice President of Human Resources. Jennifer leads our continued growth and talent acquisition strategies, with a focus on building a company culture that empowers and supports employees.