🔒3 questions to ask when selecting your benefits provider

While paychecks and promotions are still top of mind for many employees, it is important for employers to not lose sight of the key role a well-rounded benefits package plays in meeting the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Employees want diverse options that meet them where they are in life — gone are the days of the one-size-fits-all benefits package. Finding the right benefits provider is vital to making sure you can deliver an employee experience that works for your unique workforce.

Price and products are an important component, as are the capabilities and experience the insurer provides you and your employees. But with so many options in today’s market, how do you know you are making the right selection? I’d recommend posing three questions during your search process to help select the best solutions and service for your team.

Q: How are they personalizing their offerings to meet the diverse needs of today’s workforce?

It might be surprising, but not all employee benefits offerings are created equal. A Gen Z worker in Portland who is just kick-starting their career likely prioritizes their benefits needs differently from a seasoned Gen X worker with a family in the County. No one person is the same and their needs often differ widely. It is important that the benefits provider you select can accommodate the unique expectations of your workforce. From products ranging from life and disability to pet insurance or solutions that offer a simplified benefits experience, choice is key.

Q: How are they innovating their business to provide your employees with the best customer experience?

When selecting your benefits provider, do a deep dive into how they are innovating to develop a better experience for your employees.

For example, at Unum we take a human-centered approach that puts our customers first. We pair innovative tech solutions with human touch to ensure customers enjoy a seamless experience that prioritizes ease of use. Your employees are going to be utilizing these benefits during times of need. Whether it is a new mother bonding with her baby or someone recovering from cancer, our job as a benefits provider is to recognize the life events your employees are going through and ensure a simple, empathetic experience from start to finish.

Q: Are they a company that cares?

Companies that operate under a purpose-driven structure are evident when you know what to look for. The first two questions we explored will help shed light on the insurer’s attitude toward their customers, but you can also learn a lot about a company by how they show up for their own employees and demonstrate a commitment to improving the lives of others.

Do they promote a culture of inclusivity and diversity? Have they received awards that speak to their commitment to excellence? What are they doing to build stronger communities? All good questions that can give you great insight into how much the insurer cares.

These three questions are a great place to start when searching for the right benefits provider and can open the door to additional conversations that can help you choose the right company for your employees. Remember, your employee benefits are a vital part of the overall employee experience and having the right partner by your side makes all the difference.

Liz Rickett is senior vice president of customer operations at Unum