For many organizations, Total Rewards communication tends to peak during open enrollment and then fades into the background. However, limiting communication to a single time of year can leave employees unaware of the full value their organization provides. Without regular reinforcement, employees may not fully understand or utilize their benefits, potentially leading to disengagement and missed opportunities for both the individual and the business.
To unlock the full potential of your Total Rewards strategy, communication must be consistent, clear, and tailored throughout the year. Here’s why it matters—and how to make it work for your team.
Closing the Awareness Gap: Helping Employees See the Bigger Picture
One of the most common challenges HR leaders face is a lack of awareness around the true value of Total Rewards. Employees often view their compensation as limited to salary, overlooking the many additional benefits that contribute to their overall well-being and growth. This includes:
- Health benefits
- Retirement contributions
- Wellness programs
- Professional development opportunities
- Employee assistance programs (EAPs)
- Perks and discounts
- Paid time off
When these benefits aren’t communicated regularly, employees may feel undervalued—even when organizations are making significant investments in their success.
To bridge this gap and ensure employees fully appreciate their Total Rewards, consider these practical steps:
Total Rewards Statements: Provide a Comprehensive View
A Total Rewards Statement offers employees a clear and personalized breakdown of their total compensation, moving beyond just salary to showcase the full range of benefits they receive. Key components include:
- Base salary
- Bonuses and incentives
- Retirement contributions (e.g., 401(k) match, pension)
- Healthcare benefits (e.g., employer-paid premiums, HSA/FSA contributions)
- Value of paid time off
- Additional perks (e.g., wellness incentives, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance)
How to Maximize Impact:
- Present the information in a clear, visually appealing format
- Ensure statements are personalized for each employee.
- Distribute them annually and refresh them as benefits evolve throughout the year.
Break Messaging into Manageable Pieces
Rather than overwhelming employees with information all at once, deliver communications in bite-sized, digestible formats throughout the year. This could include:
- Quarterly updates on specific benefits (e.g., retirement savings in Q1, wellness programs in Q2).
- Monthly toolkits for managers to reinforce benefit highlights with their teams.
- Short, engaging videos or infographics to simplify complex topics.
Leverage Key Moments to Reinforce Value
Certain milestones in an employee’s journey are ideal opportunities to strengthen Total Rewards communication:
- Onboarding for new hires, to introduce the full value of their compensation.
- Promotions or changes in compensation, to reiterate the impact of their benefits.
- Mid-year check-ins, to review progress on retirement savings or wellness goals.
- Timely reminders during open enrollment or relevant awareness months (e.g., financial literacy or wellness campaigns).
Effective Total Rewards communication is about more than just delivering information—it’s about ensuring employees feel valued and empowered at every step of their journey.
Let us help you bring your Total Rewards strategy to life with compelling communication tools like Total Rewards Statements and year-round messaging plans —reach out today to learn more.
