Employee Benefit Resources
Employees need resources to contact if they have questions about their benefits package. Most companies provide employee benefit resources in their human resources department to explain benefits, answer questions and resolve conflicts when needed. Additionally, vendors offer support to their client -- the employer -- and staff in the form of telephonic customer service, websites and written communication materials. Human resources professionals also have employee benefit resources in the form of professional organizations and industry newsletters.
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Human Resources Department
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A company's human resources department is responsible for managing employee benefits. HR coordinates the selection of benefits, vendors, enrollment into programs and administration of benefit programs. They are the point of contact to both employees and vendors regarding employee benefits. HR is a primary resource for employees with questions and issues concerning their benefits. Most HR departments have representatives designated to handle employees' benefits and are accessible to employees via email, telephone or in-person to discuss and help the employees with their benefit-related needs.
Vendors
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Another resource for employee benefits is the vendors who provide the benefits. These vendors maintain websites and customer service telephone services for the employees to contact with questions about their benefits. Vendors such as health insurance plan carriers, behavioral health, dental and vision insurers and retirement plan administrators are available as a resource to employees. Most vendors' websites contain a wealth of information related to their products in easy-to-understand language. They may also contain tools and articles that allow the employees to find answers on their own.
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Communication Materials
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Most employers create communications materials for employees specifically explaining employee benefits. This information may be contained in an employee handbook or separate pieces for each type of benefit. This information is usually distributed to new hires on starting work, and disseminated annually during the open enrollment period. Communication materials are a valuable resource to detail the information the employees need to understand their benefits. Employers may collaborate with vendors to create materials and vendors may send their own information to employees.
Resources for HR Professionals
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Human resources staff uses resources to stay current with benefit trends. They may use consultants to help shape their benefit programs or assist with open enrollment and benefit administration. Other resources for employers include industry newsletters, websites, professional organizations and conferences. The Society for Human Resource Management offers a variety of resources on its website including guides, templates and toolkits to help benefit professionals. The SHRM site includes an area dedicated to benefits and with articles, newsletters, tools, webcasts and other useful information. Some information is accessible only to members, however, much of it is free to the public.
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