Employee benefits software is a powerful tool to enhance your employee rewards programme. But can your people make the most of it? Many businesses see a spike in engagement during open enrolment, only for interest to fade. To get real value from your benefits programme, you need to keep employees informed and engaged, and make sure they actively use their perks all year round
Our employee benefits platform makes it easy to communicate benefits clearly. With features like total reward statements (TRS) and built-in news areas, you can personalise updates, reinforce the value of benefits, and keep them top-of-mind. Our platform ensures benefits are tailored to individual needs, which makes them more meaningful (and accessible).
Here’s how you can use your employee benefits software to drive continuous engagement and enhance the employee experience.
- Use employee benefits software to make information easy to find
- Use total reward statements to personalise engagement
- Use employee benefits software to communicate year-round, not just at enrolment
- Help line managers share benefits with confidence
- Run regular webinars and Q&A sessions
- Strengthen internal comms around benefits
- Share employee success stories
- Automate alerts and reminders
- Collect feedback and adapt
- Make it simple to take action
- The key to year-round engagement
1. Use employee benefits software to make information easy to find
If employees can’t find the details they need, they won’t engage. A centralised platform like Ciphr benefits makes flexible benefits simple to access and helps employees stay informed and in control.
Ensure policies, FAQs, and key resources are easily searchable. Ciphr benefits also allows you to store and publish policies and documents securely, with permission-based access for different employee groups. A well-organised platform reduces frustration and increases participation.
2. Use total reward statements to personalise engagement
Total reward statements show employees exactly what’s in their benefits package beyond just their salary. This transparency reinforces the value of their total compensation package, which can give employees a deeper appreciation (and understanding) of their value within the organisation.
Employees are also more likely to use their benefits when they understand their full value. With customised reward presentations, you can clearly showcase the impact of each perk and help employees see the real benefits at a glance. You can also highlight lesser-used benefits, such as financial protection options or health screenings, so nothing goes unnoticed.
3. Use employee benefits software to communicate year-round, not just at enrolment
One-time reminders simply aren’t enough. Keep benefits top of mind all year with targeted, personalised communications that cut through the noise – all from within Ciphr benefits. Use announcements to share key updates with graphics, links, and videos to get the message across. Employees are more likely to use their perks when they’re regularly reminded.
Use seasonal campaigns to highlight specific benefits at relevant times. These can be health and wellbeing perks in January or financial planning tools ahead of tax season. And make sure to use automated email notifications for maximum visibility.
By sending the right message at the right time, you’ll keep engagement high and make it easy for employees to use their perks. Regular, well-placed reminders help embed benefits into everyday work life. Boost awareness, appreciation, and uptake.
4. Help line managers share benefits with confidence
Line managers are a trusted source of information. Give them clear, relevant details on key features, eligibility, and how employees can access benefits. This helps them communicate confidently in one-to-ones and team meetings and keeps engagement high.
HR teams can back them up with our benefits platform’s targeted communication tools. These tools help HR equip managers with tailored messages and provide key talking points. Make sure managers have all the answers employees need.
5. Run regular webinars and Q&A sessions
Host sessions to break down complex benefits and answer questions in real time. Employees who understand their options are more likely to take action.
Consider inviting benefits providers or internal experts to lead sessions on how to get the most from specific benefits, with a spotlight on features that might not be well-known. Ciphr benefits’ surveying tool can also gather feedback on which topics employees want to learn more about.
6. Strengthen internal comms around benefits
Clear, consistent communication is key. Employees can only make the most of their benefits if they know they exist. Amy Thompson, internal communications lead at Ciphr, suggests embedding benefits into regular updates and make them a core part of your internal communication plan:
"Embed benefits into regular updates and make them a core part of your internal communication plan. You reinforce their value and keep them at the front of [employees’] minds. Use a mix of content styles, such as case studies, videos, storytelling and awareness pieces. This helps ensure messaging stands out and truly resonates with employees."
Ciphr benefits’ announcement and targeting tools allow you to send the right messages to the right employees at the right time. Use multiple channels (email, Slack, Teams, and digital signage) to reach employees wherever they are. Reinforce messages with engaging visuals and success stories.
7. Share employee success stories
Nothing encourages engagement like real-life examples. Showcase employees who’ve made the most of their benefits. It makes the perks feel relevant and valuable.
A short case study or testimonial about how a particular benefit has helped an employee can encourage others to explore their options. Ciphr benefits’ recognition and reward tools can help reinforce a culture of appreciation and engagement.
Explore our case studies:
8. Automate alerts and reminders
Use your employee benefits software to send automated nudges about upcoming deadlines, benefit usage tips, and new perks. Timely reminders help employees make the most of their benefits.
Push notifications and in-app messages can serve as gentle prompts, so benefits stay top-of-mind without overwhelming employees.
9. Collect feedback and adapt
Effective employee benefits management relies on continuous feedback. Gather regular feedback to find out what’s working and what’s not. Then use insights to refine your approach and improve engagement over time.
Send out quick pulse surveys or add a feedback option directly in your benefits portal to understand what employees value most and what needs improving. Ciphr benefits’ built-in surveying tool makes this easy.
10. Make it simple to take action
A seamless, intuitive user experience drives engagement. Make sure employees can easily enrol, update selections, and access benefits in just a few clicks.
Remove barriers like complex login processes or unclear instructions. Ciphr benefits integrates with HR and payroll systems for a smooth experience, while a mobile-friendly interface ensures employees can engage with their benefits anytime, anywhere.
The key to year-round engagement
Keeping employees engaged with their benefits doesn’t have to be a challenge. With proactive communication, clear tools, and a year-round approach, you can drive higher participation and satisfaction.
Want to see Ciphr benefits in action? Book a demo today and discover how our platform makes benefits engagement effortless.