Empowering Public Sector HR: Empyrean’s New Partnership with Sourcewell

Empowering Public Sector HR: Empyrean’s New Partnership with Sourcewell

17 April, 2024

When it comes to public sector human resources, the challenges of managing employee benefits can be vast. With the unique complexities and regulatory hurdles faced by government and educational organizations, HR professionals are continually seeking solutions that enhance efficiency and compliance. Empyrean is excited to announce our recent selection as a benefits administration supplier for Sourcewell which represents a significant development for those in public sector HR. This partnership promises to bring tailored solutions to the table, designed specifically to address the nuanced demands of public sector benefits administration. 

Empyrean’s collaboration with Sourcewell is not just about providing services; it’s about empowering public agencies to better manage their human resources. For Public Sector HR professionals, this can lead to enhanced employee satisfaction and retention—a critical concern in the public sector, where the competition for talent can be tough. 

  Whether it’s adhering to strict compliance standards or streamlining the benefits management process, Empyrean’s tools are designed to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of benefits programs.   

The benefits of this partnership extend beyond mere administrative support; they include the fostering of a connected, engaged workforce. As noted by Ryan Donovan, Sourcewell’s Senior Director of Risk, Benefits, and Insurance, the contract with Empyrean aims not only to provide outstanding coverage but also to ensure that employers and employees are thoroughly supported throughout the benefits management process. For HR departments, this means not only simpler management of benefits but also a more holistic approach to employee engagement and wellbeing. 

For those involved in public sector human resources, staying informed about such developments is crucial. This is an opportunity to provide deeper insights into how these tailored solutions can specifically benefit your organization. Read the full press release here to explore how this partnership could elevate your organization’s approach to supporting and connecting to your workforce. 

Optimizing the Connection Between Individual Wellbeing and Workplace Wellness 

Optimizing the Connection Between Individual Wellbeing and Workplace Wellness 

16 April, 2024

The link between individual wellbeing and overall workplace wellness has never been more crucial. The upcoming panel at Evolve 24 promises an enlightening exploration into how the health of each team member is a cornerstone of organizational prosperity. As we delve into this vital topic, we invite you to join us in uncovering the strategies that can transform your workplace into a nurturing and thriving environment. 

Recent findings, such as those from Mind Share Partners’ 2023 Mental Health at Work Report, highlight a concerning disconnect in workplaces across the U.S.: a significant portion of employees experience mental health symptoms, yet perceive a lack of prioritization and advocacy for mental health within their organizations. This panel aims to address these critical issues, providing insights into why a supportive, open dialogue about mental health is not just beneficial but essential for a company’s success. 

The Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health & Wellbeing introduces a holistic approach to employee wellness, emphasizing protection from harm, connection and community, work-life harmony, mattering at work, and opportunities for growth. Each of these pillars corresponds to fundamental human needs, from safety and security to dignity and meaning. Our esteemed panelists will discuss practical, actionable strategies that address these needs, fostering an environment where every employee feels valued and understood. 

Moderator Jason Glaser, Sr. Strategic Account Advisor at Empyrean, will lead a session that will not only challenge current norms but also inspire a transformative journey towards a more empathetic and effective workplace. Discover how prioritizing the total wellbeing of your team can catalyze a profound shift in your organization, creating a culture where everyone is empowered to thrive and contribute to collective success. 

Learn more about Evolve 

Meeting People Where They Are – Benefits & Employee Experiences That Make Your People Feel Like They Belong 

Meeting People Where They Are – Benefits & Employee Experiences That Make Your People Feel Like They Belong 

11 April, 2024

As the workplace continues to expand, the importance of cultivating a sense of belonging is imperative to unlocking the full potential of an organization’s employees. At Empyrean’s upcoming EVOLVE conference, a session is set to offer insights into fostering a culture where every individual feels valued and connected. This invite-only event for Empyrean clients and partners is poised to gather thought leaders who will explore strategies for nurturing an environment that emphasizes every team member’s integral role in the success of an organization. 

The session will address the ongoing issue of employee engagement, or the lack thereof, with data indicating a continuation of low engagement rates among U.S. workers. This trend not only dampens morale but is expected to carry significant economic repercussions, echoing past analyses that highlighted billions in lost productivity. This session will focus on the complex layers of employee disengagement, spotlighting the critical role of emotional and professional connection to an organization’s mission and values. 

Antoine Carter, Sr. Director of Client Services at Empyrean, will moderate a panel of experts who will delve into strategies that aim to meet employees at their respective life phases, enhancing their sense of belonging. The panel will project how integrating benefits, wellness, and communication strategies effectively can address and adapt to the evolving needs of the workforce, thus fostering a more connected and engaged employee base. 

EVOLVE promises to have engaging sessions that speak directly on how we connect with our teams. This session is one of many that will have insights into aligning with employees throughout their diverse life stages, understanding the factors that drive engagement, and acknowledging the intertwined relationship between engagement, productivity, and organizational achievement. 

Learn more about Evolve. 

Empowering Public Sector Benefits: Solutions and Strategies for the Public Sector at SALGBA

Empowering Public Sector Benefits: Solutions and Strategies for the Public Sector at SALGBA

03 April, 2024

Empyrean is excited to attend the upcoming State and Local Government Benefits Association (SALGBA) conference on April 21st – 24th, a pivotal event for public sector entities focused on enhancing their benefits offerings.  

This conference serves as a crucial gathering point for benefits administrators across the public sector to exchange insights, confront common challenges, and discover innovative solutions aimed at enhancing their benefits programs. The focus here is on understanding and addressing the unique pain points that the public sector faces in benefits administration, such as budget constraints, regulatory compliance, and the need to cater to a diverse employee demographic. 

Public sector benefits administrators are tasked with the challenge of delivering comprehensive and cost-effective benefits programs under the constraints of limited budgets and strict regulatory frameworks. Moreover, they must address the varying needs of their workforce, ensuring that benefits programs are inclusive, equitable, and capable of supporting employee well-being and satisfaction. The SALGBA conference provides a platform for these administrators to explore strategies and tools that can help them overcome these hurdles, fostering an environment where best practices and innovative solutions can be shared and adapted to their specific contexts. 

In addressing these challenges, public sector entities can explore a range of strategies, such as leveraging technology to streamline benefits administration, adopting data-driven approaches to tailor benefits offerings, and enhancing employee engagement and communication. The conference offers a space to learn from peers and experts, gaining insights into successful strategies and emerging trends in public sector benefits administration. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, public sector benefits administrators can find new ways to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their benefits programs, ultimately leading to improved employee satisfaction and organizational success. 

Empyrean will be at booth #512, visit us to discuss how our solutions can streamline your benefits administration and employee communication strategies. You’ll even have a chance to win a $200 Apple gift card by joining the SALGBA scavenger hunt and stopping by our booth!  

With our deep understanding of the unique needs of government and education organizations, we offer a dedicated team of benefits and technology experts who will work closely with you to create a customized solution that aligns perfectly with your culture, employee populations, and plan complexity. 

Learn more about Empyrean’s solution in the public sector.  

Cultivating Connection: Strategies for HR in the Digital and Distracted Era with Jim Priebe 

Cultivating Connection: Strategies for HR in the Digital and Distracted Era with Jim Priebe 

08 March, 2024

The upcoming EPIC conference, scheduled for April 25th, will feature a particularly relevant session for HR professionals, titled “Build a Connected Culture in the Age of Distance and Distraction.” Presented by Jim Priebe, Chief Strategy Officer at Empyrean, this session will delve deep into the opportunities and challenges of cultivating a connected organizational culture in today’s fragmented and distraction-laden environment. 

The statistics are telling: nearly half of the employees surveyed in a recent study report feeling disconnected and distracted, with significant percentages battling feelings of loneliness and disconnection from their work. In the era of digital saturation and hybrid workplaces, the imperative to forge meaningful connections is more critical than ever. Yet, what does ‘connection’ truly mean? This session aims to unpack this question, drawing on extensive research and insights from Empyrean’s vast experience with employee engagement. 

For HR professionals, understanding the multifaceted concept of wellbeing is crucial. It extends beyond mere benefits and individual behavior change to encompass a holistic approach that meets employees where they are, enabling their success and fostering genuine connections.  

Priebe’s presentation will offer valuable perspectives on how wellbeing can serve as a foundation for building a resilient and connected organizational culture, providing actionable guidance and approaches for putting these insights into practice. Attendees learn how to navigate the distraction-rich environment of today’s workplace, ensuring they can enable employee success and maintain meaningful connections.  

This is a must-see event for HR professionals committed to fostering a vibrant and connected workplace culture and looking for the tools necessary to thrive in the evolving landscape of work. 

EPIC 2024 presents an unmatched chance to forge essential relationships and discover innovative, transformative strategies that exceed standard best practices, aiming to nurture a flourishing, people-focused culture in your organization. 

Register for EPIC here and attend Jim Priebe’s session along with a multitude of speakers and keynotes aimed to ignite positive change in your organization. 

Transforming Your Business and Employee Experience with Precision Benefits 

Transforming Your Business and Employee Experience with Precision Benefits 

29 February, 2024

On Tuesday, March 5th Empyrean will attend the LIMRA Enrollment Technology Strategy Seminar. Tammy Kaplan, a Strategic Account Advisor at Empyrean will be participating in a panel discussion sharing insights and a case study about the impact Precision Benefits has had for a client and their employees. Precision Benefits is our AI enabled technology that empowers employees with personalized benefits recommendations fueled by their individual health data. 

Tammy has a strong passion for delivering positive benefit experiences and lives the Empyrean mission to connect benefits and enrich lives. As Product Consultant within Empyrean’s Strategic Account Advisor team, Tammy consults with clients on best practices in using our data-driven benefits engagement tools. She also leads the client governance program for these capabilities, including oversight of medical and carrier engagement, communication planning, optimizing configuration of communication tools, delivery of reporting and insights, and continued servicing of the program with year-to-year changes in benefits strategy and workplace programs. 

CLIENT 

 A Professional Services Firm with more than 16,000 employees located across the U.S. was having service issues with their previous benefits administration vendor and their health plan costs were over-budget. They wanted to maintain the same level of choice for employees while driving them to right-sized plans through a powerful and engaging benefits experience and needed a partner to help them accomplish these goals.  

CHALLENGE  

It was important to the client that their new platform would make it possible for employees to understand the value of the benefits offered, leading to better enrollment and utilization decisions and a stronger connection to their company culture. It was also important to the client that their new benefits platform could create a positive employee benefits experience through convenient and trustworthy benefits decision-making and healthcare navigation tools. They found it critical that their new solution could educate employees on the best plan options for their individual lifestyles while offering a data-driven benefits shopping experience that would drive better enrollment and utilization decisions, and ultimately better outcomes for both their employees and overall organization 

SOLUTION 

Precision Benefits empowered the client’s employees to use their own health data to help predict their out-of-pocket costs. It also helped them evaluate how other benefits such as an HSA, Healthcare FSA, hospital indemnity, accident and critical illness plans could help offset their medical plan costs. Once enrollment was done, Empyrean provided one platform for employees to access and engage with their benefits while connecting them to programs that support their wellbeing. Empyrean also partnered with the client to deliver robust communications and education to help improve year-round benefit decisions. 

Learn more about how Precision Benefits can elevate the lives of your employees. 

Empyrean Announces an Expansion of Solutions That Champion a Connected Culture Across the Employee Journey

Empyrean Announces an Expansion of Solutions That Champion a Connected Culture Across the Employee Journey

22 February, 2024

Empyrean expands its business model, offering two solutions that work independently or in concert to help organizations build a connected culture—increasing employee productivity, wellbeing and retention.

HOUSTON — (Feb. 22, 2024) — Empyrean, a company committed to building better corporate cultures, today unveils a business expansion to help organizations build a connected culture by supporting the entirety of the employee experience through two solutions: Empyrean Benefits and Empyrean Connect. 

Empyrean’s move comes in response to the critical market need for more integrated and connected work cultures. Numerous workplace research studies show that employees want to work at organizations where they feel connected to the company purpose and the C-Suite has recognized that a cohesive employee experience leads to higher employee engagement, productivity, and ultimately retention.

“We’re living in a new employment era where it is more important than ever for employers to connect employees with their brand, culture, and employer-provided resources that exist to support the entire employee lifecycle,” said Rich Wolfe, CEO of Empyrean. “The focus of Empyrean’s solutions on creating a connected culture is the answer organizations need to bring their employee value proposition to life; whether it is through recruiting, life events, day to day productivity, or communications.”

Empyrean Benefits is a full-service benefits administration, integrated ancillary services and benefits guidance solution. Empyrean Connect is a robust employee engagement solution that transforms the way organizations create, deliver, and measure internal communications, employee productivity tools and programs, and wellbeing initiatives. While Empyrean Connect offers deeper levels of customization, both solutions can be client-branded and configured to meet the unique needs of an organization.

Empyrean’s expanded market position brings together their innovative technology, a service-first approach, and a deep focus on employee experience. Though Empyrean Connect can be sold independently of Empyrean Benefits, when paired together, Empyrean clients gain a comprehensive support system for the entire employee journey, reinforcing Empyrean’s vision of building a connected culture and helping clients to retain talent.

“More than just robust technologies and great capabilities, companies want a partner that can support the well-being of every one of their employees and create a more connected and accessible employee experience across every touchpoint,” said Jim Priebe, Chief Strategy Officer of Empyrean.

Empyrean customers are already seeing success in the new approach to building a connected culture:

“We have seen a tremendous increase in benefits adoption and overall employee engagement from our highly dispersed workforce. We attribute that change to the power of having a single company app with integrated BenAdmin, all powered by Empyrean,” said Felecia May, benefits director at NextTier Oilfield Solutions.

Learn more about Empyrean Connect: click here.

Learn more about recent enhancements to Empyrean Benefits: click here.

About Empyrean

Established in 2006, Empyrean is a leading technology SaaS company empowering organizations with innovative technology and a service-first approach that accelerates employers’ benefits and employee retention strategies. Empyrean’s platform and services enhances the wellbeing and workplace engagement of over 6.5 million people, fostering stronger connections between employees and employers. By enriching employee experiences, Empyrean not only strengthens employer brands but also cultivates vibrant workplace cultures for organizational success. Visit us at goempyrean.com.

Empyrean Launches the Experience Lab – Transforming Client Engagement Through Customized Content 

Empyrean Launches the Experience Lab – Transforming Client Engagement Through Customized Content 

15 February, 2024

Empyrean is announcing a new strategic creative communications and content service called The Experience Lab. This service is seamlessly integrated with the Empyrean Platform, providing a comprehensive suite of services to enhance client support. These services include consulting, strategy development, custom content creation, campaign execution, and detailed performance analysis and reporting.   

With The Experience Lab, you can unlock the full potential of your benefits program, creating a more fulfilled and motivated workforce. 

Strategy 

Crafting a benefits strategy is only effective if your employees are aware and engaged with what’s offered. Empyrean’s solution addresses this by delivering a tailored, omnichannel communication strategy to meet your organization’s unique needs. This approach not only enhances the visibility and impact of your benefits but also strengthens your organizational culture by demonstrating your commitment to your workforce. 

By leveraging our tailored communication methods, your organization can enhance its culture through a deeper, more meaningful engagement with benefits. 

The Workshop 

The journey with Empyrean begins with an engaging strategy workshop, a crucial step in comprehending your specific challenges and goals. Our primary focus is to align our strategies closely with your objectives, undertaken with precision and attention. 

The structure of the workshop is crafted to encourage clear and effective communication. It’s a way for both Empyrean and your team to exchange ideas and viewpoints openly. This interactive session sets the stage for constructive dialogue, helping us to establish key analytical benchmarks that will steer the creation of a tailor-made plan. 

This plan, born out of the insights gained during the workshop, will be specifically designed to tackle your identified needs, ensuring a smooth transition into a solid partnership. 

Insight Report 

Following the workshop, Empyrean will present a detailed insight report. This document will highlight crucial findings, offer strategic advice, and present a customized roadmap designed specifically for your needs. The insights from the workshop will be converted into an actionable plan that aligns with your corporate objectives. 

Empyrean understands that the effectiveness of a benefits strategy is measured not just in its creation but in its ongoing management. To this end, we provide structured, regular reporting. Expect quarterly updates, which will give a clear view of the progress made towards the established goals. These reports are essential for monitoring real-world results and making timely adjustments to adapt to any changing needs or circumstances. 

Enabling Your Strategy 

Our dedicated benefits communication team is poised to develop and implement a comprehensive year-long strategy that will enhance your benefits program and actively engage your workforce. We specialize in creating custom campaigns tailored to meet your organizational goals, complete with all the necessary assets to bring each campaign to life.  

The Experience Lab is not just about creating content; it’s about forging strong partnerships. We collaborate closely with employers, consultants, and brokers to support all facets of custom content and communication strategy needs.  

In fact, one of the first brands to work with Empyrean’s Experience Lab was able to reduce the portion of employees who declined health benefits coverage in 2024 by 7%, compared with the previous year. At the same time, the company encouraged 44% of employees to enroll in a newly offered PPO. 

Our aim is to be your trusted partner, working together to enhance the way you connect with your people. With The Experience Lab, Empyrean is set to redefine client engagement, offering an unmatched level of service and expertise in the realm of communication strategies. 

Ethical AI in Benefits: Our Commitment to Progress Together 

Ethical AI in Benefits: Our Commitment to Progress Together 

08 February, 2024

At Empyrean, we’re enhancing the way you connect your people to their benefits with AI – not by replacing the human element, but by amplifying it.  
 
We’re dedicated to enhancing the human side of Human Resources through AI and believe that the real power of AI lies in its ability to enhance human service, adding a personal touch to technology.   

We understand the importance of maintaining a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility and our commitment to our employees, clients, and to society goes beyond technological advancement; we aim to ensure that our solutions not only advance humanity but also foster a more equitable and inclusive workplace.  

Our core principles: 

Transparency 

We pledge to be open about how and why our AI systems make decisions, providing our clients with understandable and accessible explanations. 

Accountability 
Empyrean takes full responsibility for the AI systems we deploy. We are committed to making AI that is reliable and that our teams can oversee, ensuring outcomes are fair and equitable. 

Integrity 
Our AI systems are designed to respect the dignity and privacy of all individuals. We implement rigorous data governance practices to protect sensitive information and ensure confidentiality. 

Fairness 
Empyrean’s AI is built with bias mitigation strategies to prevent discrimination and ensure equal and just treatment for all users. 

Collaboration 
We believe in the power of partnership, working closely with clients, employees, and the broader community to understand and address the ethical implications of AI. 

Empowerment 
Our AI is created to augment human capability, not replace it. We design our systems to empower HR professionals and employees, enhancing their abilities and decision-making. 

Progressive Learning 
We are dedicated to the continuous improvement of our AI systems. Empyrean’s AI learns and evolves to better serve the needs of our clients and their employees.  

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, Empyrean is committed to being a leader not only in innovation but also in AI ethics. We strive to set a standard for how AI should be approached — with conscientiousness, care, and a deep sense of responsibility to the people we serve.  

Empyrean is not just a benefits administration company; we’re your ally in navigating the evolving landscape of HR technology. By partnering together, your journey with us is always evolving, keeping your business future ready.  

Ready to elevate your benefits with AI? See our approach to AI here.  

Empyrean Launches Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a Richer, More Connected Employee Experience

Empyrean Launches Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a Richer, More Connected Employee Experience

01 February, 2024

Enhancements to benefits and engagement technology as well as the launch of in-house content and strategy services are all designed to create a better benefits experience for employers and employees.

HOUSTON — Feb. 1, 2024 — Empyrean, the company committed to building better corporate cultures through benefits, today announced the launch of enhanced benefits technologies as well as an in-house content and strategy service to create a more connected experience for employees and their benefits.

The moves reflect Empyrean’s continuous innovation, dedication and focus on addressing the needs of employers, HR teams and end-users.

“Empyrean is already known for its powerful platform for ben-admin, and this is just the next evolution of our commitment to innovating the technologies and services that help employers elevate benefits in the employee experience,” said Rich Wolfe, CEO of Empyrean. 

To further advance a connected employee experience, in response to evolving market demands, Empyrean has made significant updates to its mobile app and desktop experience.

Together, the mobile and desktop experiences emphasize personalized engagement and now include access to a robust library of educational content and ready-to-deploy campaigns.

Unlike other benefit administration experiences, the app and desktop solutions provide seamless and consistent user experiences. Further, to build trust and increase employer affiliation, the app icon and overall mobile experience will automatically update to match the client’s branded desktop experience after login. Empyrean’s market-leading approach to the employee experience offers its clients a unique way to deepen brand loyalty and increase employee engagement.

The enhanced technologies also integrate new approaches to AI that are more personalized and human-centric. Empyrean’s conversational AI chat has been enhanced to now include automated tasks, enabling immediate and accurate responses to employee queries and requests. The company is also making substantial AI updates to its service center operations, focused on enhancing the quality and efficiency of customer interactions. 

“Empyrean is committed to AI that augments human interactions to bring a personal touch as well as positioning AI as a collaborative partner to HR. We believe employees need a more connected experience with employer-provided benefits, and AI can play a critical role in improving that experience across the board,” said Colleen Waymel, COO of Empyrean.

Empyrean is announcing a new creative communications and content service — The Experience Lab — to provide support for multi-media campaigns, educational content development and related collateral. Clients can now leverage Empyrean’s expertise in benefits communications to support their annual benefits program objectives and connect more effectively with employees in multiple mediums.

One of the first brands to work with Empyrean’s Experience Lab was able to reduce the portion of employees who declined health benefits coverage in 2024 by 7%, compared with the previous year. At the same time, the company encouraged 44% of employees to enroll in a newly offered PPO.

To learn more about similar success stories and Empyrean’s enhancements, visit our blog.

About Empyrean

We believe everybody deserves a workplace culture that supports their total well-being through benefits. Since 2006, Empyrean has provided hundreds of employers of varying size, industry, and benefit plan complexity with the innovative technology and best-in-class service necessary to accelerate their benefits strategies and bring their benefits programs to life. Empyrean’s platform and services are designed to create connected employee benefit experiences that enrich lives, strengthen employer brands, and improve workplace cultures for over 6 million people. Visit us at http://goempyrean.com.

Empyrean’s 2024 Roadmap: Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a More Connected Employee Experience  

Empyrean’s 2024 Roadmap: Enhanced Benefits Capabilities to Support a More Connected Employee Experience  

As we step into 2024, Empyrean is at the forefront of employee engagement and benefits administration. Our 2024 Product roadmap unveils a series of advancements and technologies designed to enhance communication, streamline processes, and empower employees. This reflects Empyrean’s continuous innovation, dedication, and focus on addressing the needs of employers, HR teams, and end-users.  

Here’s a glimpse into what Empyrean has in store for this exciting year. 

Platform Content 

Empyrean is set to redefine how organizations connect with their workforce. With our enhanced content library, featuring educational content and over 60 ready-to-use campaigns, we’re offering a versatile platform for delivering impactful messages across multiple channels. These campaigns cover a wide range of topics, from mental health to compliance, ensuring that our clients’ communication is comprehensive and engaging.  

Enhanced Mobile & Desktop Experience 

To further advance a connected employee experience, in response to evolving market demands, Empyrean has made significant updates to its mobile app and desktop experience as well as the announcement of our upgraded mobile app, BenefitsGO.  

Unlike other benefit administration experiences, the app and desktop solution provides a seamless and consistent user experience. Further, to build trust and increase employer affiliation, the app icon and overall mobile experience will automatically update to match the client’s branded desktop experience after login. Empyrean’s market-leading approach to the employee experience offers its clients a unique way to deepen brand loyalty and increase employee engagement. 

AI and Cloud Technologies 

Empyrean is dedicated to engaging the power of AI to better serve our clients at every level and elevate every interaction. Our conversational AI chat will now include automated tasks, providing immediate and accurate support to employee queries. This advancement ensures a more efficient and responsive interaction, elevating the overall user experience. On the cloud front, Empyrean’s continued strategic expansion into advanced cloud technologies promotes increased platform performance, enhanced reliability, and the most modern infrastructure.  

Experience Lab 

Empyrean is announcing a new strategic creative communications and content service called The Experience Lab. This new offering from Empyrean will provide support for multi-media campaigns, educational content development, and other custom collateral that organizations can use to communicate and engage with their employees in a more meaningful way. Clients can now leverage Empyrean’s expertise in benefits communications to support their annual benefits program objectives and connect more effectively with employees across multiple mediums. 

As Empyrean strides into 2024, our roadmap is more than a set of enhancements; it’s a vision for a more connected, efficient, and empowered workplace. Read our full 2024 Product Roadmap here.  

Beyond 2024, Empyrean will invest time and resources across various initiatives. With a strong focus on an engaging People Experience, we’ll keep innovating with our core BenAdmin technology and service delivery to help organizations build a connected culture. 

Behind the Firewall: A Candid Talk with the CITO on Empyrean’s Data Security Strategies

Behind the Firewall: A Candid Talk with the CITO on Empyrean’s Data Security Strategies

18 January, 2024

We talked to Empyrean’s CITO, Kelly Clark to get his unique insight into how Empyrean stacks up in cyber security. 

Empyrean: Why are you excited about Empyrean? 

I’ve been in this space for quite some time. Empyrean should be proud of its technical stack. A lot of the organizations that I’ve had experience with are suffering from quite a bit of technical debt. Perhaps its security posture isn’t as strong as it needs to be. And I looked at joining Empyrean, I looked across the market and I was really impressed with the amount of investment they put into their core platform, how they’re thinking about security, their focus on product and their focus on operations service excellence.  All of those things combined, make us the preeminent benefits admin platform and service offering in the industry.  

Empyrean: Why does security matter? 

Data privacy is in the forefront of everyone’s mind. You go online every day; some people still get the newspaper believe it or not and there’s an article about a security breach. Data security and security are super important at the individual and employer level. 

I’m proud to say Empyrean is in a very good spot. Our security model is structured around the HIPAA framework and from there we dropdown into the NIST cyber security framework. The NIST cyber security framework is utilized by most companies in most industries of any size and any scale. So, it’s important for us to capitalize on this and think of three pillars: 

Confidentiality, data integrity, and data accessibility. 

Empyrean: What is Empyrean’s security strategy? 

Our security strategy is really focused on a framework that handles both physical and technical security and it’s built on those three pillars of confidentiality, data integrity, and data accessibility. When you think about security maturity, we often get asked about our SOC 1 and SOC 2 as part of the RFP process. We’ve decided as an organization to enhance our security governance model, our framework, and our maturity by going down the ISO certification route. On top of that, we bring in a 3rd party who’s doing a complete audit of our security model.  They’re looking at our governance structure, our framework, they’re looking at our roadmap, they’re looking at our investments and they’re scoring us directly against the NIST framework. 

Empyrean: What is Empyrean’s cloud strategy? 

Everybody has different reasons for moving to the cloud. If you think about it from our perspective, we often get asked what’s your cloud strategy, are you moving to the cloud, are you already in the cloud? Our answer is yes, yes, and yes. We’re doing it for some very specific reasons. It provides organizational agility for us around innovation, bringing products to market, it allows us to scale our resources in a much quicker way, provides us cost efficiencies, fosters innovation, and at the end of the day it provides a much more stable base for business continuity planning, and disaster recovery. If you’re an employer group, you’re feeling good that Empyrean’s gone to the cloud. That if something major was to happen, our operations would continue. Employees would have access to the resources, tools, and services that we provide them. For us, it’s fundamentally about innovation, bringing products to market, elasticity, reliability – those are the fundamental reasons we’re moving to the cloud, and we believe in it.  

Our data operations process – second to none in the industry which in turn, lends itself to security. 

Empyrean: Why can we trust you to keep our data secure? 

We are an emerging leader with an 800+ score as a Bitsight rating. You couple that with our compliance components around our SOC and ISO, our transmission encryption, our at rest encryption, and our fundamental focus in security, that’s why you should trust us with your data.  

Check out all of the ways Empyrean secures your data. 

Empyrean Announces Opening Keynote Speaker for EVOLVE24

Empyrean Announces Opening Keynote Speaker for EVOLVE24

11 January, 2024

Empyrean is thrilled to announce that Jenn Lim, CEO, founder, bestselling author of Beyond Happiness, and one of the World’s Top 50 Keynote Speakers, will be kicking off EVOLVE24 with an opening keynote session entitled, “Going Beyond Happiness: Unleash Your Team’s Potential for a Purposeful and Positive Double ROI.”

Jenn’s mission is both simple and profound: to teach businesses how to create workplaces – led with happiness and humanity – that generate more profit, sustain all people at every level of the organization, and share how everyone can make an impact by being true to their authentic selves.

Her powerful keynote session will examine how aligning a team’s personal values, purpose, and behaviors with their organization can significantly increase brand loyalty, build stronger and happier customer and partner relationships, and ultimately lead to a more profitable and impactful organization.

Empryean’s client attendees will leave with actionable insights to adopt and implement as they learn how to effectively support all the people and stakeholders in their ecosystem – by putting themselves first and creating a ripple effect that positively impacts their team, their organization, and beyond.

Keep an eye out for Empyrean’s full EVOLVE24 conference agenda coming soon!

Innovating for Excellence: What’s New in Our Winter Product Release  

Innovating for Excellence: What’s New in Our Winter Product Release  

05 January, 2024

Empyrean continues to redefine the landscape of benefits administration by integrating state-of-the-art AI technologies and user-focused enhancements. The company’s latest rollouts are a testament to its enduring dedication to providing exceptional service and creating an intuitive, seamless user journey. 

Here are the key areas of focus where significant enhancements were made in the back half of 2023, improving both the administrator and participant experience: 

Central to Empyrean’s innovation strategy is the incorporation of Conversational AI within its Service Center, a move that dramatically improves response accuracy and speed in addressing questions from their members. This is complemented by the introduction of a convenient callback scheduling feature, tailored to enhance communication flexibility and efficiency, particularly during busy periods. These advancements highlight Empyrean’s focus on leveraging technology to meet and exceed member expectations. 

The company’s commitment to excellence is further evident in its AI-enhanced call quality assurance system. By analyzing every service call in real-time, Empyrean not only upholds its high service standards but also gathers critical insights for ongoing improvement. This approach underscores the company’s dedication to a data-driven, service-first model. 

Empyrean’s focus on user experience extends beyond its service center. The Benefits Portal has undergone significant design updates for improved navigability and user interaction. These updates reflect Empyrean’s holistic approach to making benefits management as user-friendly as possible. With its Precision Benefits  offering, Empyrean has introduced updated features and has streamlined plan review interfaces. These enhancements are designed not just to simplify user decisions but to empower members with clearer, more comprehensive information. 

Empyrean’s recent updates, characterized by AI integration and a deep understanding of user needs, demonstrate its relentless pursuit of service excellence and innovation. These efforts solidify Empyrean’s position as a leader in benefits administration, continuously evolving and setting new standards in member service and experience. 

Find out more about the Winter 2023 Empyrean platform updates in our product release notes. 

Empyrean Awarded for Using AI to Drive QA Excellence

Empyrean Awarded for Using AI to Drive QA Excellence

21 December, 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way organizations work, communicate, and engage with their people and partners. Empyrean is fully embracing the AI revolution and has seamlessly integrated AI technology into our Service Center operations. This enhancement not only empowers our workforce, but streamlines operations and provides unmatched service and support to both our clients and their employees.  

While many technology platforms emphasize AI’s role in driving results, Empyrean sees AI as a collaborative partner. Our team members leverage AI as a tool to work with HR and Benefits teams, providing insights and support that complement and enhance human capabilities.  

That’s why we’re excited to have been awarded Level AI’s QA Excellence Award, which reflects our team’s relentless pursuit of excellence in quality assurance practices and showcases our dedication to delivering top-notch client and customer experiences.

At Empyrean, AI is the powerhouse behind our team, enhancing — not replacing — human expertise. It’s about support, not substitution. 

Learn more about Empyrean’s ethical approach to Artificial Intelligence.  

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