Whether you’re in a red or blue state, your benefits communication has an important role to play

I don’t usually watch TV and certainly not cable news. But between the presidential debates, the election, the Giants win and the horrific hurricane on the East Coast, I’ve had the TV on a lot lately. It doesn’t take more than a couple clicks between CNN, MSNBC and Fox News to see that we’re all living in a different version of reality. The media creates and magnifies this unbelievable divide in our country right now, on every issue imaginable. It seems nothing is free from a political spin.

This bleeds into our industry too. A recent article pointed out that benefits pros’ views of health care reform vary greatly based on the political leanings of the state they live in. Only 32% of blue-state respondents say their company’s reaction to the health care reform act is very or somewhat negative. In swing states, it’s 54% and in red ones, 61%. And workers’ views of benefits change by political affiliation.

Surreal. Disheartening. And motivating.

Amidst all this, employers have an incredible role to play. Remember, you are a trusted source of health and financial information. This is the stuff that is most important in people’s lives right now. You can be a source of objective, honest, useful information that will help people live their best lives today and prepare for the best future possible. This is what effective, strategic employee benefits communication is all about. It is why we love our work—and why we love sharing it with you.