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Zurich's multimedia benefits communications keeps employees engaged

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Zurich's multimedia benefits communications keeps employees engaged

Zurich North America's benefits communications are carefully crafted, using multiple mediums to appeal to all employees.

An electronic magazine with links to presentations and interactive planning tools enabled the Schaumburg, Illinois-based North American unit of Swiss insurer Zurich Insurance Group Ltd. to “go green” this year while enhancing the annual benefits enrollment experience for its employees at the same time.

A full suite of online tools and resources from UnitedHealthcare, the company's health plan administrator, allows employees to find doctors and compare the cost of plans and treatment, as well as track their health care spending and health savings account balances.

Meanwhile, employees can take an online health risk assessment, enroll in health coaching, or track and redeem their wellness incentives via Zurich North America's branded wellness portal.

The company's volunteer “wellness champions” also produce their own newsletters in each of the company's seven corporate locations in the United States, and the 1,000 employees who work from home receive “Fit Bites,” which are snippets of health information, every Friday via email.

In July, the company will introduce Wiser Health, an online interactive decision-support tool that gives employees who have been diagnosed with a particular condition or who are facing surgery the ability to compare and contrast the full range of treatment options available to them, as well as their costs.

For example, “this tool will help an employee diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome to decide whether to have surgery, physical therapy or just take two aspirin and rest their wrist,” said Sarah Staggs, head of benefits for Zurich North America.

The company's 401(k) plan administrator also produces personalized profiles showing how much an employee's paycheck might change if he or she contributed various amounts to the plan. These electronic statements are sent to employees who are not maximizing the company match.

Also in July, the benefits department is launching one-click enrollment in the 401(k) plan that will make it easier for current employees not subject to automatic enrollment to enroll immediately in the plan, said Dawn Carthan, benefits consultant at Zurich North America responsible for overseeing the company's 401(k) plan.

In addition to all this electronic communication, the benefits department still disseminates some information, such as employees Total Rewards Statements and periodic home mailers, in print, in response to survey responses citing employee preference and other benefits communication research.

For example, one home mailer that had to be torn open to reveal a prize — a cell phone cleaning cloth — informed employees about health screenings, coaching and other health promotion opportunities.

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