Thank your benefits team!

It's that time of year where a lot of us reflect on all of our blessings and give thanks to those that support us in our daily lives. It's also that same time of year that a majority of employers go through their open enrollment process for the employee benefits package. The total rewards piece of your compensation has many layers that your HR, CFO, COO and others at the organization spend weeks and sometimes months examining, negotiating and looking at from many angles. You might think that these decisions are purely financial, but I can tell you from being a party to these meetings each year, that is not the case!

As a benefits consultant with over 15 years experience in the industry, I can tell you first hand that the majority of my clients are fierce advocates for their employees and spend hours upon hours discussing options that are well beyond the pricing of everything from medical insurance to disability coverage to a cornucopia (maintaining Thanksgiving theme shamelessly) of voluntary benefits and employee assistance programs.

I am fully aware that employees let out a collective groan when it's time to re-enroll and attend open enrollment meetings. Nobody wants to see "the insurance guy/gal" because it means that deductibles are resetting and costs/benefits are likely to change. But do yourself a favor this year. Go to the meetings (even if they're optional), ask questions, actively re-enroll. Your benefits team works their tail off to get these right for you, and you owe it to yourself to have a firm grasp on what your options are!

If you experienced circumstances this year that required you to access these benefits, than you already know how valuable that they are.

Be even more thankful this year if you didn't have to access the majority of these benefits.

More importantly, before you leave for a long weekend and take off some time this holiday season to congregate with family and friends, thank the members of your benefits staff! High-fives, fist bumps, even a two sentence email. Be thankful for the people that advocate on your behalf for a large portion of their work day and year.

After all, they are your first line of defense from folks like me, "the insurance guy"!

Have a great holiday season. Thank a benefits person!