SHRM Blog

Companies are preparing to kick off open enrollment for their employees to choose their workplace benefits. Health, vision, dental, life insurance ... even pet insurance may be up for grabs. 

How can HR professionals best communicate with employees about their choices, when many workers are unfamiliar with the language and concepts of benefits offerings? What's the best way to help employees through open enrollment season?

Take a look at our primer below for ways to start the conversation, and at our glossary of common (and commonly misunderstood) terms. Our news articles offer...

Marc Howze from John Deere examines the impact you can make by working in Human Resources.

To watch more HR Storytellers, please click here. 

Most people wake up intending to do good work and to make a positive difference—not to be a barrier to success. Yet sometimes there is a gap between our intention and our impact.

Self-awareness and communication are essential for converting intention to impact, but there is more managers can learn and do to effectively coach employees and help them do great work.

Thoughtfulness and empathy go a long way in learning to understand the intentions of others in your workplace and ironing out the communication wrinkles that can unfavorably influence...

For years I've questioned research that reflects three of four people dislike their job. From the trenches in Silicon Valley, I'd say the majority of the people with whom I work enjoy what they do. Sure, we'd all prefer to be on the beach but sand between your toes gets annoying too. Most people when asked aren't going to jump for joy at the prospect of explaining "what they do (for a living)." Still, we all get up, get out and make it work.

I'd say disengagement doesn't necessarily spell complete...