Benefits Pulse Newsletter: Use Your Words

Ever feel like you’re just yelling into the void?

We’re in the era of instant feedback loops: 24-hour news cycles, TikTok trends, responsive AI tools. If you’re feeling a little too connected, it’s probably because we are. But as connected as everything looks and feels, our communication is often falling flat.

Recent data finds that 86% of employees don’t feel heard at work (UKG study) and only 31% say they’re engaged at work, even though 2 in 3 organizations say they’re actively gathering employee feedback through engagement surveys and 1:1 conversations.

What we’re hearing from this is that employees have a lot to say, but employers might not be listening close enough.

Here’s what we’re covering in this edition:

• Empathy is your missing link in communications
• A quick win for HR to incorporate feedback could lie in your benefits administration strategy
• What’s the key to flawless teamwork?

Plus, news you might have missed.

Let’s dive in.

How empathy plays a role in how we communicate

We dropped a sneak-peek of our 2025 State of Workplace Empathy data last month. One of the findings that stuck out to us the most is that unempathetic organizations see 3X the turnover and toxicity compared to empathetic ones. Yet, despite 100% of CEOs surveyed agreeing that empathy is critical to business success, 63% admit it’s hard to demonstrate empathy day-to-day.

This disconnect is more than a leadership challenge—it’s a communication crisis.

Empathy fuels clarity, trust, and connection, three pillars of effective communication. Empathy isn’t just about being nice—it’s about being strategic, human, and responsive. 

We’re launching our tenth annual State of Workplace Empathy report next week. Sign up here to get the insights—and empathy in action tips—right in your inbox.  

📣 What you can do while you wait for the full report:

• Lead with listening: Build feedback loops that go beyond surveys—such as listening sessions and manager-led check-ins.
• Train for tone: Equip leaders with tools to communicate with empathy, especially during change or crisis.
• Make empathy visible: Highlight stories of empathetic leadership and peer support in internal comms and encourage everyone across the organization to share their perspectives and experiences.

Is plain language the answer to driving more benefits engagement?

Yes.

We will forever cite this stat to prove our point: 86% of employees say they’re confused about benefits. But when the information is served up in a way that makes it easier to understand—like using plain language and highlighting the value of something—74% of those same employees say they feel confident in their benefits decisions. And that’s just looking at the moments during enrollment.

Consider what this could look like year-round for your organization:

• Email communications: Our clients see an average 53% email open rate for benefits-related communications year-round, the top topics being emotional health, telemedicine, and EAPs.
• Explainer copy in your benefits portal: Whoever wrote insurance and healthcare jargon loved the thesaurus. But you shouldn’t need one to figure out how which benefits you need or why that EAP exists.
• Personalized reminders for each employee: When AI helps scale personalized communications for benefits, our clients see 5X more visibility across their benefits programs, leading to more recognition and awareness for their employees.

Don’t just take our word for it. Our client, Waste Pro, boosted employee engagement by personalizing benefits communications.

🤝 Teams Can’t Function Without Feedback

If communication is the engine of teamwork, then feedback is the fuel. And right now, a lot of teams are running on empty.

In a world where digital messages fly in and out by the minute and meetings multiply, it’s easy to mistake volume for clarity. But effective teamwork doesn’t come from more communication—it comes from clear communication.

When teams communicate well, they:

• Align faster and more clearly on goals.
• Navigate conflict with less friction.
• Share wins and learn from losses more openly.

But when communication breaks down? Silos form. Trust erodes. Projects stall.

Here’s the kicker: most teams aren’t lacking tools—they’re lacking intentionality. That looks like establishing norms and ground rules, creating space for feedback, and making sure every voice has a place at the table.

Plus, news you might have missed

Best practices for supporting employee mental health

Top benefits employees say they want

How decision support can help cut through benefits confusion