5 Steps to Improve Employee Satisfaction with Benefits

5 Steps to Improve Employee Satisfaction with Benefits

11 June, 2024

This article was first published in BenefitsPro.

Employee benefits are crucial to the satisfaction and productivity of any workforce. Research has consistently shown a direct link between the perceived quality of benefits employers offer and overall employee job satisfaction. For example, a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 92% of employees say benefits are critical to their overall job satisfaction.

However, despite their importance, there is often a gap between the benefits 0employers offer and the benefits employees value most. According to research from MetLife, employee satisfaction with their benefits fell to 61% in 2023, down from 64% in 2022 and the lowest point in the past decade.

Addressing this gap is not about just adding more benefits. It can also involve enhancing (or educating employees on) the right benefits to meet their evolving needs and those of their families. More specifically, it involves advancing your communications through a variety of methods to communicate how benefits can support employees in their time of need.

What can organizations do to drive employee satisfaction with their benefits? Here are five steps that make a difference, regardless of the company type or the benefits being offered.

1. Understand your “why”

The first step is to assess your current benefits strategy. Does it align with your organization’s overall talent strategy? Does it meet the diverse needs of your workforce? More importantly, can your benefits team clearly articulate why you offer the benefits you do and how you measure their success?

It’s crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of your current program. This assessment must go beyond cost analysis to consider how actively employees engage with each benefit.

Where possible, collaborate with your benefits administration provider and broker or consultant to compare engagement levels with other clients using the same enrollment platform.

Benchmarking your benefits program against industry standards can provide valuable insights into its effectiveness. By analyzing data on benchmarks such as employee and family participation rates, claims utilization, and satisfaction levels across similar organizations, you can identify areas where your program excels and areas that may need improvement.

Understanding your “why” will help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your current offerings and develop a more targeted strategy — one that personalizes benefits and your communication and outreach strategies for each individual.

2. Invest in deep personalization

Personalization isn’t the future of employee benefits — it’s the present. A one-size-fits-all approach to benefits design, communication, education, and employee outreach no longer works and leaves many needs unmet. A personalized benefits approach empowers individuals to choose options that align with their specific circumstances.

For instance, some employees may prioritize higher HSA contributions, while others may prefer comprehensive health coverage or wellness programs. Additionally, some individuals may need guidance to navigate and discover these valuable programs for themselves and their families.

It’s crucial to educate employees on how to choose the right benefits and effectively use the benefits they select. This ongoing education ensures that employees maximize the value of their benefits package.

By using personalized strategies based on each member’s data and behaviors, you meet employees where they are and empower them to make choices that best support their lifestyle and wellbeing. This leads to higher employee satisfaction, increased engagement, and, ultimately, a more productive workforce and better return on the dollars you and your employees invest in these plans.

3. Get useful feedback from employees

One of the most effective ways to ensure your benefits resonate with your workforce is simple: Ask them! Historically, attempts to collect feedback have been generic — surveys, focus groups, or town hall meetings. However, these methods often lead to confusing and conflicting feedback.

In today’s world of hyper-personalization, a more effective approach is to ask for feedback in real time or shortly after employees use their benefits.

Analyzing employee behavior and capturing feedback at or near the time they use their benefits offers at least three advantages:

  1. A deeper understanding of employee needs. Real-time feedback provides more accurate and relevant insights into what employees value and require.
  2. Behavior change. Timely education and suggestions can encourage employees to make better-informed decisions regarding their benefits. For example, notifying an employee when they become eligible for a wellness incentive or other program can increase participation.
  3. A stronger connection between employees and benefits. Personalized feedback fosters a sense of ownership and engagement, leading to increased appreciation for the benefits offered.

By adopting a more targeted and personalized approach to feedback, you can ensure your benefits resonate with your workforce and drive higher satisfaction and engagement.

4. Leverage technology for benefits advocacy

A significant barrier to benefits satisfaction is simply a lack of knowledge about what’s available. Most employees spend less than 30 minutes reviewing information when they select benefits during open enrollment. You can have a great benefits program with many choices for individuals. But if employees never know about or understand those options, it can lead to dissatisfaction. Not only does this fail to maximize the return on investment in these programs, we might actually be diminishing the overall return.

Leveraging AI-powered tools can enhance benefits communication and education. AI-driven platforms can deliver personalized, jargon-free communications tailored to each employee’s needs and preferences. Additionally, virtual assistants can offer 24/7 support, answering employee questions and guiding them through complex benefits information.

Employers can meanwhile leverage AI-powered analytics to gain insights into benefits utilization and use this information to identify areas where education may be lacking. By analyzing pharmacy, medical, and behavioral data, employers can pinpoint specific benefits that are underutilized or misunderstood.

This data-driven approach allows for targeted communication and education initiatives, ensuring that employees are aware of and understand the full range of benefits available to them.

5. Adapt to employees’ shifting needs

To satisfy your workforce’s changing needs, consider a dynamic benefits approach that evolves alongside your people.

This means offering a range of benefits that cater to different life stages and personal circumstances. For example, younger employees may value student loan repayment assistance or financial planning resources, while employees starting families might prioritize enhanced parental leave or childcare benefits. As employees progress in their careers and lives, their needs are likely to shift toward elder care support or comprehensive retirement planning.

By leveraging technology, you can proactively identify these changing needs and tailor your benefits offerings accordingly. This data-driven approach ensures that your benefits package remains relevant and valuable to employees throughout their entire journey with your company.

Think of it like a GPS navigation system. Just as GPS dynamically adjusts the route based on real-time traffic conditions and the driver’s destination, so too should your benefits package adapt to the changing landscape, needs, and goals of your employees. This will ensure they are always on the right track to improving their overall wellbeing.

At every step: Improve your benefits with intent

The key to maximizing your benefits offering is to actively engage with, and listen to, the needs of your employees, offer them flexibility and education, and don’t be afraid to make changes.

Creating a better benefits experience makes a difference. This not only boosts satisfaction but also reinforces your organization’s commitment to its most valuable asset — its people.

Plan design, employee experience top of mind for benefits leaders

Plan design, employee experience top of mind for benefits leaders

20 May, 2024

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. — A recent gathering of benefits administration leaders and practitioners in a remote New Mexico desert resort was dominated by discussions of employee mental health, rising employee expectations, and finding ways to meet employees where they are while tackling rising health care costs that impact employer-provided benefits. 

Empyrean’s EVOLVE 2024 brought together over 150 attendees to discuss ways that technology and communications can change how companies support and engage their workforce, create more connected cultures, and elevate benefits in the employee experience. 

“We see a direct connection between benefits and employee wellbeing and,  ultimately, organizational health,” Empyrean CEO Rich Wolfe said during his opening remarks of the three-day conference. “Benefits administration is about more than plan design. It is about the holistic support of the employee experience.”

Several sessions, including the keynote address by best-selling author and CEO of Delivering Happiness, Jenn Lim, focused on treating people as a whole human being at work and beyond work.

“In the past, we’ve been all about purpose, values, and behaviors, and they are still relevant, but they are table stakes now,” she said in an interview before a book signing session. “There are already so many benefits and so much noise. If we want to help employees through this thing everyone is calling a funk, we need to be clearer with employees and simplify the message.” 

Lim also warned that employee wellbeing is at an all-time low and that companies need to rethink ROI as more of a “ripple of impact”. 

“As leaders in the room, we can’t fix everything, but we can be the mirrors for people to see a way forward,” she said. 

Other speakers shared tips on a variety of topics from mental health to meeting employee needs to improving communications. One strategic discussion centered around gathering employee feedback to inform and continuously improve benefits strategies. Another suggested reducing the number of apps that employees use to access company information around benefits (including supplemental benefits such as pet insurance or elder care) and other important company updates and information. 

Most attendees agreed one of their biggest challenges is communicating details about benefits in a way that can break through the noise.

Kassy Dewey, program manager benefits at Children’s Health, used a series of videos ahead of last year’s benefits enrollment featuring a variety of offerings in the coming year’s selections that sparked higher engagement than previous communications efforts. 

“Communicating is tough, and communicating well is even tougher,” she said in a panel titled “Meeting People Where They Are”.  “Believe it or not,  snail mail is making a comeback, because people are overwhelmed by too many emails.”

Luis Doffo, a managing director of sales at HSA Bank, said effective communication has to consider individual factors in each employee’s life that might help communication breakthrough. 

“Based on how your employees are evolving, you need to modify your communication strategies,” he said. 

Some discussions at the conference focused on innovation in benefits, such as self-funded benefits plans to reduce costs, reference-based pricing strategies, and certifications for mental health allies, especially for managers, to identify employees who may need to access appropriate benefits. 

Individual interviews with over a dozen benefits leaders revealed an overwhelming skepticism around reference-based pricing — an attempt by many states to make pricing more transparent at the point of care.

Benefits leaders say they have concerns about their employees’ understanding of how the approach would work, especially given the reluctance of health care providers to provide price estimates for care on the spot. They say health providers will want to wait for health insurance carriers to give exact pricing, which they said could leave patients without exact information in real-time and would undermine the spirit of reference-based pricing. 

Panelist Angel Seufert, executive vice president of HR at Empyrean, shared with conference attendees a program she launched to train and certify two employees as mental health allies to identify employee needs and help connect those individuals with the resources they may need. Other HR leaders say they want to replicate that program. 

“I really like the idea of the mental health ally certifications, especially if those people are managers, ” said Urvashi Saigal, director, head of benefits at Danone North America. “We look to lead from the top on removing any stigmas in mental health.”

“A lot of our employees are experiencing issues with social determinants of health and we’re sometimes having difficulty getting them the resources they need, so we’re turning to technology to create a more connected culture through benefits,” added Saigal, a co-panelists with Suefert in the sessions titled “Optimizing the Connection Between Individual Wellbeing and Workplace Wellness.”

One session, led by Empyrean’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Priebe, focused on the challenges that HR leaders have given remote and hybrid workforces and all the distractions that employees have in their lives at work and outside of work that make it harder for employers to communicate with their people. 

He cited a few alarming statistics about how people are feeling: 47% of employees are worried, 24% are lonely, and 51% are disconnected, according to recent research by 2022 research by Blueboard.

“It isn’t just a pandemic problem. It is a growing problem,” Priebe said. “We’re just in an age where we feel more comfortable talking about these things. We need to make connections with employees a priority.”

The conference last week was interspersed with small moments of connection with the Tamayan people, who own the land operated by the Hyatt Regency. On day two of the event, about a dozen conference attendees watched the sun rise over the Sandia Mountains. The brisk morning walk was led by Tamayan Alica Ortiz. She provided an oral, guided tour through the nearby bosque — a Spanish word meaning forest. But for the locals, it represents a description of the land and their relationship to everything clustered along a stretch of the Rio Grande River. 

Near the end of the conference, Navaho flutist William Clark performed native music for a 15-minute stretch on two wooden, hand-made flutes. On the agenda, his performance was billed as “A Moment of Afternoon Enchantment.” After playing, Clark asked the crowd: “Feel better?”

Tony Spangler is vice president of public and analyst relations at The Starr Conspiracy and spent 20 years as an award-winning journalist covering government, health care, and business.  

Creating a Connected Workplace Culture: How to Bridge the Physical & Digital Divide 

Creating a Connected Workplace Culture: How to Bridge the Physical & Digital Divide 

13 May, 2024

In the modern workplace, fostering a sense of connection among employees is more than a nicety — it’s a necessity. As many companies were forced to adopt remote and hybrid work models over the past few years, the challenge of building meaningful employee experiences and deep connections within teams has become even more complex. Yet, the stakes for ensuring these connections have never been higher. 

Shockingly, more than half of U.S. employees feel disconnected. This disconnection is more than a personal issue — it’s an organizational crisis, directly impacting employers’ ability to attract, develop and retain top talent. In fact, employees who say they feel connected to their workplace culture are:

  • Over 5x as likely to recommend their organization 
  • Nearly 4x as likely to be engaged at work 
  • 55% less likely to be looking for another job 

The Challenge of Distance & Distraction 

One of the primary hurdles in building a connected workplace culture is the physical separation of team members. With remote and hybrid work becoming increasingly prevalent, employees are no longer sharing the same physical space, making spontaneous interactions and informal conversations a rarity. This lack of face-to-face contact can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection among team members, hindering the development of a cohesive culture. 

Moreover, the proliferation and fragmentation of workplace apps pose significant challenges to building a connected workplace culture. With a seemingly ever-growing array of HR point solutions – from benefits to time and pay to learning and development – employees frequently encounter a disorganized maze of applications. This not only negatively impacts productivity, but also exacerbates cognitive overload and decision fatigue among employees, who often struggle to discern where to turn when in need. 

So, how can organizations navigate these challenges and cultivate a connected workplace culture in an era of distance and distraction? 

Developing a Connected Workplace Strategy  

Connection doesn’t happen by accident. Building better employee connections in the digital age requires an intentional act of commitment, being adaptive, and understanding the evolving dynamics of the workplace. 

To navigate this journey successfully, organizations must: 

  1. Act with deliberate intention in choosing strategies that resonate with your unique culture and workforce. This involves clearly defining what connection means to your organization and what the goals are, getting buy-in and participation from leadership, and measuring key success metrics that directly tie to the goals you’ve set. 
  1. Embrace tools and technologies that bridge distances, while being mindful of the human need for genuine connection. The important thing here is to not add to the noise employees already contend with, but to simplify their experience and fit naturally into their day-to-day. Ease of use and accessibility are paramount. 
  1. Cultivate clear and open communication so that every member of your team feels visible, heard, and important – wherever they are on their employee journey. One way to create this type of environment is to develop personalized, targeted messaging and touchpoints that will deliver the right information to the right employee at the right time. Technology can be a huge help here. 
  1. Soak up all the feedback you can. Good feedback practices not only light the way toward areas for growth and improvement but also reinforce the bonds that connect your teams together across digital divides. Establish your feedback channels, encourage employees to share and, most importantly, act on the input you receive. 
  1. Commit to continuous improvement, understanding that the path to deeper employee connections is a dynamic, never-ending process. In addition to analyzing and acting on feedback, be transparent and own up to the areas where you fall short, and, in equal measure, take time to celebrate where you’ve made strides. 

Want to learn more about building a connected culture in the era of distance and distraction? Check our our on-demand webinar and hear how other leading employers are rethinking the employee experience to drive greater engagement, productivity and satisfaction in the workplace. 

Empyrean’s Evolve24: Crafting Communications for Enhanced Employee Engagement 

Empyrean’s Evolve24: Crafting Communications for Enhanced Employee Engagement 

06 May, 2024

In the world of corporate communication, creating a seamless experience for employees is crucial for their engagement and satisfaction. Empyrean’s Evolve24 is set to host an enlightening session that delves into the intricacies of effective communication both on and off digital platforms. Led by Misty Guinn, Sr Manager of Communication Strategy, this session will showcase the art of synchronizing various communication channels to deliver a unified and impactful employee experience. 

This workshop titled “From Design to Delivery: Creating a Seamless Experience for Maximum Engagement & Employee Satisfaction” will explore the entire spectrum of content creation and deployment. Attendees will learn about crafting compelling content, launching targeted campaigns, and the alignment required to develop a comprehensive communications strategy. Through detailed analysis and sharing of best practices, the session will offer a roadmap for effectively executing across diverse channels. 

Misty will delve into creating meaningful educational touchpoints and custom communications that inform, connect, and resonate with employees. The discussion will cover the essential elements that make communications impactful, focusing on how to enhance a benefits strategy’s effectiveness through clear, consistent messaging. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights and practical tips to transform the way they communicate with their teams, aiming to boost engagement and achieve measurable results in employee satisfaction.  

Learn more about Empyrean’s Experience Lab and how you can create custom communications for your employees. 

Empyrean’s Evolve24: Exploring the Future of Work with AI 

Empyrean’s Evolve24: Exploring the Future of Work with AI 

03 May, 2024

The future of work is unfolding before our eyes, and at the heart of this transformation is Artificial Intelligence (AI). As we gear up for Empyrean’s Evolve24, we will explore how HR professionals can integrate technology seamlessly into their strategies. The session, Amplifying the Human Element of AI: Bringing a Personal Touch to Technology, will dive into the world of virtual assistants, chatbots, facial recognition, and more, illustrating just how relevant AI has become in our daily professional lives. 

During this session, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the different types of AI currently shaping industries. The discussion will focus on: 

Algorithms that enhance decision-making. 

Systems designed to streamline operations. 

Specific examples and case studies that illustrate the practical application of AI. 

This isn’t just about acknowledging AI’s presence but understanding its capacity to transform traditional business models and workflows. 

Moreover, the spotlight will also be on Empyrean’s unique approach to integrating AI. Rather than seeing technology as a substitute for human roles, Empyrean leverages AI to augment the capabilities of our team, enhancing both expertise and empathy. This session lead by Katie Carroll, Director of Product Marketing, Stephen Higgins, Director of Automation, and Freddie Berberena, Vice President, Member Service + Service Center Strategy, will explore how AI can support and extend the skills of human employees, ensuring that technology adds a personal touch to interactions and services. It’s an opportunity to see how Empyrean not only adapts to the AI revolution but also sets a precedent for others by championing a synergy between human ingenuity and machine precision. 

As we navigate this peak era of AI, Empyrean’s Evolve24 is set to be a beacon for all looking to understand and implement AI in a way that truly complements and enhances the human aspects of work. Learn more about Evolve24 and all the topics we will explore. 

Q+A With Empyrean’s Sr Director of Product Strategy, Jen Peery

Q+A With Empyrean’s Sr Director of Product Strategy, Jen Peery

23 April, 2024

Jen Peery is Empyrean’s Sr Director of Product Strategy. With over 16 years in benefits administration, she has extensive experience planning and executing ben admin product strategies. She is focused on innovation and elevating the end user experience for Empyrean products. We got to ask Jen her insights into product strategy and what is important for the future of benefits administration.

Innovation in Benefits Administration: Given the rapid pace of technological advancements, how is Empyrean planning to innovate its benefits administration products to meet the evolving needs of employers and employees?

Jen: One of the biggest problems employers continue to face is employee engagement with their benefits. Without this engagement, the most well-defined benefits strategy won’t yield the anticipated results for the employer. Our products are the opportunity to bridge that gap, so employees have what they need at the right time. The way information is delivered and consumed by an end user is at the forefront of how we continuously innovate the Empyrean experience for both employees and the employer. 

User Experience Focus: User experience is crucial in benefits administration platforms. Can you share how Empyrean prioritizes and incorporates user feedback into the development and enhancement of its products?

Jen: Our User Experience team focuses on research and aggregate behaviors of end users to help drive our roadmap. We also utilize surveys, market data, our Client Counsel, feedback from internal teams and old-fashioned conversations with clients, brokers/consultants, and market experts – all of which weigh heavily on how we shape our product roadmap.  

Compliance and Regulatory Challenges: Benefits administration is heavily influenced by regulatory requirements. How does Empyrean ensure its products remain compliant with changing laws and regulations, and what challenges does this pose for product management?

Jen: Empyrean closely monitors regulatory requirements and the downstream impacts to employees, employers and the benefits ecosystem. Our clients and stakeholders rely on us to provide technology that helps manage and communicate these needs. We always reserve time each year on our Product Roadmap to support Compliance related development efforts. These are the things you must do as a benefits administration provider. 

Integration with Other HR Systems: Interoperability is key in HR technology. How do Empyrean’s benefits administration products integrate with other HR systems and platforms, and what benefits does this integration offer to organizations?

Jen: Again, thinking about the user – the employee – we are uniquely positioned to unify an employer’s HR systems and platforms in one location, driving access and engagement in the said systems, programs, and information an employer has curated. Ultimately solving barriers to access drives the trust and engagement paramount to the employee/employer relationship. I believe that’s foundational to talent retention. 

Future Trends and Predictions: Looking ahead, what major trends do you predict will shape the future of benefits administration, and how is Empyrean preparing to address these trends in its product roadmap?

Jen: I think there are 2 major buckets that will continue to influence benefits administration. One being needs in the market we could help solve for – like employee engagement, price transparency, long term care tax, controlling the healthcare spend – just to name a few. The other bucket to consider is how we solve these trends. We look at all angles when it comes to the how: does it make sense to partner, does AI play a role, what’s the support and service experience like? The “what” and “how” are equally important to consider when shaping the product roadmap. 

 
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly pivotal in various technology sectors. How is Empyrean integrating AI into its benefits administration products, and what advantages do you see this bringing to your clients in terms of efficiency, personalization, and decision-making support? 

Jen: When my team thinks about a new feature or functionality, the first thing we ask is: SHOULD AI solve it? If our research indicates yes, then we move to COULD AI solve it? There are many use cases in benefits administration and our daily lives where AI is extremely helpful gathering and sorting information – if the end user is comfortable engaging that way. Ultimately, I see AI being one of the available tools to enhance the employee experience when it comes to choosing and using their benefits. 

Empyrean’s focus on enhancing user engagement, ensuring regulatory compliance, and integrating technology such as AI, showcases a proactive approach to meeting the complex needs of this industry. These efforts are crucial for improving the efficiency and responsiveness of benefits systems, benefiting both employers and employees. As the field of benefits administration continues to evolve, these strategic innovations suggest a future where these systems are more accessible and effective, reflecting a broader industry trend towards greater user-centricity.

Cultivating Connection: Strategies for HR in the Digital and Distracted Era with Jim Priebe 

Cultivating Connection: Strategies for HR in the Digital and Distracted Era with Jim Priebe 

08 March, 2024

The upcoming EPIC conference, scheduled for April 25th, will feature a particularly relevant session for HR professionals, titled “Build a Connected Culture in the Age of Distance and Distraction.” Presented by Jim Priebe, Chief Strategy Officer at Empyrean, this session will delve deep into the opportunities and challenges of cultivating a connected organizational culture in today’s fragmented and distraction-laden environment. 

The statistics are telling: nearly half of the employees surveyed in a recent study report feeling disconnected and distracted, with significant percentages battling feelings of loneliness and disconnection from their work. In the era of digital saturation and hybrid workplaces, the imperative to forge meaningful connections is more critical than ever. Yet, what does ‘connection’ truly mean? This session aims to unpack this question, drawing on extensive research and insights from Empyrean’s vast experience with employee engagement. 

For HR professionals, understanding the multifaceted concept of wellbeing is crucial. It extends beyond mere benefits and individual behavior change to encompass a holistic approach that meets employees where they are, enabling their success and fostering genuine connections.  

Priebe’s presentation will offer valuable perspectives on how wellbeing can serve as a foundation for building a resilient and connected organizational culture, providing actionable guidance and approaches for putting these insights into practice. Attendees learn how to navigate the distraction-rich environment of today’s workplace, ensuring they can enable employee success and maintain meaningful connections.  

This is a must-see event for HR professionals committed to fostering a vibrant and connected workplace culture and looking for the tools necessary to thrive in the evolving landscape of work. 

EPIC 2024 presents an unmatched chance to forge essential relationships and discover innovative, transformative strategies that exceed standard best practices, aiming to nurture a flourishing, people-focused culture in your organization. 

Register for EPIC here and attend Jim Priebe’s session along with a multitude of speakers and keynotes aimed to ignite positive change in your organization. 

Transforming Your Business and Employee Experience with Precision Benefits 

Transforming Your Business and Employee Experience with Precision Benefits 

29 February, 2024

On Tuesday, March 5th Empyrean will attend the LIMRA Enrollment Technology Strategy Seminar. Tammy Kaplan, a Strategic Account Advisor at Empyrean will be participating in a panel discussion sharing insights and a case study about the impact Precision Benefits has had for a client and their employees. Precision Benefits is our AI enabled technology that empowers employees with personalized benefits recommendations fueled by their individual health data. 

Tammy has a strong passion for delivering positive benefit experiences and lives the Empyrean mission to connect benefits and enrich lives. As Product Consultant within Empyrean’s Strategic Account Advisor team, Tammy consults with clients on best practices in using our data-driven benefits engagement tools. She also leads the client governance program for these capabilities, including oversight of medical and carrier engagement, communication planning, optimizing configuration of communication tools, delivery of reporting and insights, and continued servicing of the program with year-to-year changes in benefits strategy and workplace programs. 

CLIENT 

 A Professional Services Firm with more than 16,000 employees located across the U.S. was having service issues with their previous benefits administration vendor and their health plan costs were over-budget. They wanted to maintain the same level of choice for employees while driving them to right-sized plans through a powerful and engaging benefits experience and needed a partner to help them accomplish these goals.  

CHALLENGE  

It was important to the client that their new platform would make it possible for employees to understand the value of the benefits offered, leading to better enrollment and utilization decisions and a stronger connection to their company culture. It was also important to the client that their new benefits platform could create a positive employee benefits experience through convenient and trustworthy benefits decision-making and healthcare navigation tools. They found it critical that their new solution could educate employees on the best plan options for their individual lifestyles while offering a data-driven benefits shopping experience that would drive better enrollment and utilization decisions, and ultimately better outcomes for both their employees and overall organization 

SOLUTION 

Precision Benefits empowered the client’s employees to use their own health data to help predict their out-of-pocket costs. It also helped them evaluate how other benefits such as an HSA, Healthcare FSA, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness plans could help offset their medical plan costs. Once enrollment was done, Empyrean provided one platform for employees to access and engage with their benefits while connecting them to programs that support their wellbeing. Empyrean also partnered with the client to deliver robust communications and education to help improve year-round benefit decisions. 

Learn more about how Precision Benefits can elevate the lives of your employees. 

Empyrean Announces an Expansion of Solutions That Champion a Connected Culture Across the Employee Journey

Empyrean Announces an Expansion of Solutions That Champion a Connected Culture Across the Employee Journey

22 February, 2024

Empyrean expands its business model, offering two solutions that work independently or in concert to help organizations build a connected culture—increasing employee productivity, wellbeing and retention.

HOUSTON — (Feb. 22, 2024) — Empyrean, a company committed to building better corporate cultures, today unveils a business expansion to help organizations build a connected culture by supporting the entirety of the employee experience through two solutions: Empyrean Benefits and Empyrean Connect. 

Empyrean’s move comes in response to the critical market need for more integrated and connected work cultures. Numerous workplace research studies show that employees want to work at organizations where they feel connected to the company purpose and the C-Suite has recognized that a cohesive employee experience leads to higher employee engagement, productivity, and ultimately retention.

“We’re living in a new employment era where it is more important than ever for employers to connect employees with their brand, culture, and employer-provided resources that exist to support the entire employee lifecycle,” said Rich Wolfe, CEO of Empyrean. “The focus of Empyrean’s solutions on creating a connected culture is the answer organizations need to bring their employee value proposition to life; whether it is through recruiting, life events, day to day productivity, or communications.”

Empyrean Benefits is a full-service benefits administration, integrated ancillary services and benefits guidance solution. Empyrean Connect is a robust employee engagement solution that transforms the way organizations create, deliver, and measure internal communications, employee productivity tools and programs, and wellbeing initiatives. While Empyrean Connect offers deeper levels of customization, both solutions can be client-branded and configured to meet the unique needs of an organization.

Empyrean’s expanded market position brings together their innovative technology, a service-first approach, and a deep focus on employee experience. Though Empyrean Connect can be sold independently of Empyrean Benefits, when paired together, Empyrean clients gain a comprehensive support system for the entire employee journey, reinforcing Empyrean’s vision of building a connected culture and helping clients to retain talent.

“More than just robust technologies and great capabilities, companies want a partner that can support the well-being of every one of their employees and create a more connected and accessible employee experience across every touchpoint,” said Jim Priebe, Chief Strategy Officer of Empyrean.

Empyrean customers are already seeing success in the new approach to building a connected culture:

“We have seen a tremendous increase in benefits adoption and overall employee engagement from our highly dispersed workforce. We attribute that change to the power of having a single company app with integrated BenAdmin, all powered by Empyrean,” said Felecia May, benefits director at NextTier Oilfield Solutions.

Learn more about Empyrean Connect: click here.

Learn more about recent enhancements to Empyrean Benefits: click here.

About Empyrean

Established in 2006, Empyrean is a leading technology SaaS company empowering organizations with innovative technology and a service-first approach that accelerates employers’ benefits and employee retention strategies. Empyrean’s platform and services enhances the wellbeing and workplace engagement of over 6.5 million people, fostering stronger connections between employees and employers. By enriching employee experiences, Empyrean not only strengthens employer brands but also cultivates vibrant workplace cultures for organizational success. Visit us at goempyrean.com.

Empyrean Launches the Experience Lab – Transforming Client Engagement Through Customized Content 

Empyrean Launches the Experience Lab – Transforming Client Engagement Through Customized Content 

15 February, 2024

Empyrean is announcing a new strategic creative communications and content service called The Experience Lab. This service is seamlessly integrated with the Empyrean Platform, providing a comprehensive suite of services to enhance client support. These services include consulting, strategy development, custom content creation, campaign execution, and detailed performance analysis and reporting.   

With The Experience Lab, you can unlock the full potential of your benefits program, creating a more fulfilled and motivated workforce. 

Strategy 

Crafting a benefits strategy is only effective if your employees are aware and engaged with what’s offered. Empyrean’s solution addresses this by delivering a tailored, omnichannel communication strategy to meet your organization’s unique needs. This approach not only enhances the visibility and impact of your benefits but also strengthens your organizational culture by demonstrating your commitment to your workforce. 

By leveraging our tailored communication methods, your organization can enhance its culture through a deeper, more meaningful engagement with benefits. 

The Workshop 

The journey with Empyrean begins with an engaging strategy workshop, a crucial step in comprehending your specific challenges and goals. Our primary focus is to align our strategies closely with your objectives, undertaken with precision and attention. 

The structure of the workshop is crafted to encourage clear and effective communication. It’s a way for both Empyrean and your team to exchange ideas and viewpoints openly. This interactive session sets the stage for constructive dialogue, helping us to establish key analytical benchmarks that will steer the creation of a tailor-made plan. 

This plan, born out of the insights gained during the workshop, will be specifically designed to tackle your identified needs, ensuring a smooth transition into a solid partnership. 

Insight Report 

Following the workshop, Empyrean will present a detailed insight report. This document will highlight crucial findings, offer strategic advice, and present a customized roadmap designed specifically for your needs. The insights from the workshop will be converted into an actionable plan that aligns with your corporate objectives. 

Empyrean understands that the effectiveness of a benefits strategy is measured not just in its creation but in its ongoing management. To this end, we provide structured, regular reporting. Expect quarterly updates, which will give a clear view of the progress made towards the established goals. These reports are essential for monitoring real-world results and making timely adjustments to adapt to any changing needs or circumstances. 

Enabling Your Strategy 

Our dedicated benefits communication team is poised to develop and implement a comprehensive year-long strategy that will enhance your benefits program and actively engage your workforce. We specialize in creating custom campaigns tailored to meet your organizational goals, complete with all the necessary assets to bring each campaign to life.  

The Experience Lab is not just about creating content; it’s about forging strong partnerships. We collaborate closely with employers, consultants, and brokers to support all facets of custom content and communication strategy needs.  

In fact, one of the first brands to work with Empyrean’s Experience Lab was able to reduce the portion of employees who declined health benefits coverage in 2024 by 7%, compared with the previous year. At the same time, the company encouraged 44% of employees to enroll in a newly offered PPO. 

Our aim is to be your trusted partner, working together to enhance the way you connect with your people. With The Experience Lab, Empyrean is set to redefine client engagement, offering an unmatched level of service and expertise in the realm of communication strategies. 

Ethical AI in Benefits: Our Commitment to Progress Together 

Ethical AI in Benefits: Our Commitment to Progress Together 

08 February, 2024

At Empyrean, we’re enhancing the way you connect your people to their benefits with AI – not by replacing the human element, but by amplifying it.  
 
We’re dedicated to enhancing the human side of Human Resources through AI and believe that the real power of AI lies in its ability to enhance human service, adding a personal touch to technology.   

We understand the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility and our commitment to our employees, clients, and to society goes beyond technological advancement; we aim to ensure that our solutions not only advance humanity but also foster a more equitable and inclusive workplace.  

Our core principles: 

Transparency 

We pledge to be open about how and why our AI systems make decisions, providing our clients with understandable and accessible explanations. 

Accountability 
Empyrean takes full responsibility for the AI systems we deploy. We are committed to making AI that is reliable and that our teams can oversee, ensuring outcomes are fair and equitable. 

Integrity 
Our AI systems are designed to respect the dignity and privacy of all individuals. We implement rigorous data governance practices to protect sensitive information and ensure confidentiality. 

Fairness 
Empyrean’s AI is built with bias mitigation strategies to prevent discrimination and ensure equal and just treatment for all users. 

Collaboration 
We believe in the power of partnership, working closely with clients, employees, and the broader community to understand and address the ethical implications of AI. 

Empowerment 
Our AI is created to augment human capability, not replace it. We design our systems to empower HR professionals and employees, enhancing their abilities and decision-making. 

Progressive Learning 
We are dedicated to the continuous improvement of our AI systems. Empyrean’s AI learns and evolves to better serve the needs of our clients and their employees.  

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, Empyrean is committed to being a leader not only in innovation but also in AI ethics. We strive to set a standard for how AI should be approached — with conscientiousness, care, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people we serve.  

Empyrean is not just a benefits administration company; we’re your ally in navigating the evolving landscape of HR technology. By partnering together, your journey with us is always evolving, keeping your business future ready.  

Ready to elevate your benefits with AI? See our approach to AI here.  

Empyrean Launches Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a Richer, More Connected Employee Experience

Empyrean Launches Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a Richer, More Connected Employee Experience

01 February, 2024

Enhancements to benefits and engagement technology as well as the launch of in-house content and strategy services are all designed to create a better benefits experience for employers and employees.

HOUSTON — Feb. 1, 2024 — Empyrean, the company committed to building better corporate cultures through benefits, today announced the launch of enhanced benefits technologies as well as an in-house content and strategy service to create a more connected experience for employees and their benefits.

The moves reflect Empyrean’s continuous innovation, dedication and focus on addressing the needs of employers, HR teams and end-users.

“Empyrean is already known for its powerful platform for ben-admin, and this is just the next evolution of our commitment to innovating the technologies and services that help employers elevate benefits in the employee experience,” said Rich Wolfe, CEO of Empyrean. 

To further advance a connected employee experience, in response to evolving market demands, Empyrean has made significant updates to its mobile app and desktop experience.

Together, the mobile and desktop experiences emphasize personalized engagement and now include access to a robust library of educational content and ready-to-deploy campaigns.

Unlike other benefit administration experiences, the app and desktop solutions provide seamless and consistent user experiences. Further, to build trust and increase employer affiliation, the app icon and overall mobile experience will automatically update to match the client’s branded desktop experience after login. Empyrean’s market-leading approach to the employee experience offers its clients a unique way to deepen brand loyalty and increase employee engagement.

The enhanced technologies also integrate new approaches to AI that are more personalized and human-centric. Empyrean’s conversational AI chat has been enhanced to now include automated tasks, enabling immediate and accurate responses to employee queries and requests. The company is also making substantial AI updates to its service center operations, focused on enhancing the quality and efficiency of customer interactions. 

“Empyrean is committed to AI that augments human interactions to bring a personal touch as well as positioning AI as a collaborative partner to HR. We believe employees need a more connected experience with employer-provided benefits, and AI can play a critical role in improving that experience across the board,” said Colleen Waymel, COO of Empyrean.

Empyrean is announcing a new creative communications and content service — The Experience Lab — to provide support for multi-media campaigns, educational content development and related collateral. Clients can now leverage Empyrean’s expertise in benefits communications to support their annual benefits program objectives and connect more effectively with employees in multiple mediums.

One of the first brands to work with Empyrean’s Experience Lab was able to reduce the portion of employees who declined health benefits coverage in 2024 by 7%, compared with the previous year. At the same time, the company encouraged 44% of employees to enroll in a newly offered PPO.

To learn more about similar success stories and Empyrean’s enhancements, visit our blog.

About Empyrean

We believe everybody deserves a workplace culture that supports their total well-being through benefits. Since 2006, Empyrean has provided hundreds of employers of varying size, industry, and benefit plan complexity with the innovative technology and best-in-class service necessary to accelerate their benefits strategies and bring their benefits programs to life. Empyrean’s platform and services are designed to create connected employee benefit experiences that enrich lives, strengthen employer brands, and improve workplace cultures for over 6 million people. Visit us at http://goempyrean.com.

Empyrean’s 2024 Roadmap: Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a More Connected Employee Experience  

Empyrean’s 2024 Roadmap: Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a More Connected Employee Experience  

As we step into 2024, Empyrean is at the forefront of employee engagement and benefits administration. Our 2024 Product roadmap unveils a series of advancements and technologies designed to enhance communication, streamline processes, and empower employees. This reflects Empyrean’s continuous innovation, dedication, and focus on addressing the needs of employers, HR teams, and end-users.  

Here’s a glimpse into what Empyrean has in store for this exciting year. 

Platform Content 

Empyrean is set to redefine how organizations connect with their workforce. With our enhanced content library, featuring educational content and over 60 ready-to-use campaigns, we’re offering a versatile platform for delivering impactful messages across multiple channels. These campaigns cover a wide range of topics, from mental health to compliance, ensuring that our clients’ communication is comprehensive and engaging.  

Enhanced Mobile & Desktop Experience 

To further advance a connected employee experience, in response to evolving market demands, Empyrean has made significant updates to its mobile app and desktop experience as well as the announcement of our upgraded mobile app, BenefitsGO.  

Unlike other benefit administration experiences, the app and desktop solution provides a seamless and consistent user experience. Further, to build trust and increase employer affiliation, the app icon and overall mobile experience will automatically update to match the client’s branded desktop experience after login. Empyrean’s market-leading approach to the employee experience offers its clients a unique way to deepen brand loyalty and increase employee engagement. 

AI and Cloud Technologies 

Empyrean is dedicated to engaging the power of AI to better serve our clients at every level and elevate every interaction. Our conversational AI chat will now include automated tasks, providing immediate and accurate support to employee queries. This advancement ensures a more efficient and responsive interaction, elevating the overall user experience. On the cloud front, Empyrean’s continued strategic expansion into advanced cloud technologies promotes increased platform performance, enhanced reliability, and the most modern infrastructure.  

Experience Lab 

Empyrean is announcing a new strategic creative communications and content service called The Experience Lab. This new offering from Empyrean will provide support for multi-media campaigns, educational content development, and other custom collateral that organizations can use to communicate and engage with their employees in a more meaningful way. Clients can now leverage Empyrean’s expertise in benefits communications to support their annual benefits program objectives and connect more effectively with employees across multiple mediums. 

As Empyrean strides into 2024, our roadmap is more than a set of enhancements; it’s a vision for a more connected, efficient, and empowered workplace. Read our full 2024 Product Roadmap here.  

Beyond 2024, Empyrean will invest time and resources across various initiatives. With a strong focus on an engaging People Experience, we’ll keep innovating with our core BenAdmin technology and service delivery to help organizations build a connected culture. 

Innovating for Excellence: What’s New in Our Winter Product Release  

Innovating for Excellence: What’s New in Our Winter Product Release  

05 January, 2024

Empyrean continues to redefine the landscape of benefits administration by integrating state-of-the-art AI technologies and user-focused enhancements. The company’s latest rollouts are a testament to its enduring dedication to providing exceptional service and creating an intuitive, seamless user journey. 

Here are the key areas of focus where significant enhancements were made in the back half of 2023, improving both the administrator and participant experience: 

Central to Empyrean’s innovation strategy is the incorporation of Conversational AI within its Service Center, a move that dramatically improves response accuracy and speed in addressing questions from their members. This is complemented by the introduction of a convenient callback scheduling feature, tailored to enhance communication flexibility and efficiency, particularly during busy periods. These advancements highlight Empyrean’s focus on leveraging technology to meet and exceed member expectations. 

The company’s commitment to excellence is further evident in its AI-enhanced call quality assurance system. By analyzing every service call in real-time, Empyrean not only upholds its high service standards but also gathers critical insights for ongoing improvement. This approach underscores the company’s dedication to a data-driven, service-first model. 

Empyrean’s focus on user experience extends beyond its service center. The Benefits Portal has undergone significant design updates for improved navigability and user interaction. These updates reflect Empyrean’s holistic approach to making benefits management as user-friendly as possible. With its Precision Benefits  offering, Empyrean has introduced updated features and has streamlined plan review interfaces. These enhancements are designed not just to simplify user decisions but to empower members with clearer, more comprehensive information. 

Empyrean’s recent updates, characterized by AI integration and a deep understanding of user needs, demonstrate its relentless pursuit of service excellence and innovation. These efforts solidify Empyrean’s position as a leader in benefits administration, continuously evolving and setting new standards in member service and experience. 

Find out more about the Winter 2023 Empyrean platform updates in our product release notes. 

Empyrean Awarded for Using AI to Drive QA Excellence

Empyrean Awarded for Using AI to Drive QA Excellence

21 December, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way organizations work, communicate, and engage with their people and partners. Empyrean is fully embracing the AI revolution and has seamlessly integrated AI technology into our Service Center operations. This enhancement not only empowers our workforce, but streamlines operations and provides unmatched service and support to both our clients and their employees.  

While many technology platforms emphasize AI’s role in driving results, Empyrean sees AI as a collaborative partner. Our team members leverage AI as a tool to work with HR and Benefits teams, providing insights and support that complement and enhance human capabilities.  

That’s why we’re excited to have been awarded Level AI’s QA Excellence Award, which reflects our team’s relentless pursuit of excellence in quality assurance practices and showcases our dedication to delivering top-notch client and customer experiences.

At Empyrean, AI is the powerhouse behind our team, enhancing — not replacing — human expertise. It’s about support, not substitution. 

Learn more about Empyrean’s ethical approach to Artificial Intelligence.  

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