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Sherill Sampson Kirksey

Sherill Sampson Kirksey is a seasoned HR benefits leader with over two decades of experience contributing to many industries like healthcare and higher education. A seasonal expert in the development, design and administration of self-funded benefits programs for multifaceted and complex organizations, she serves as an advisor to C-Suite leadership in matters related to benefits management.

In an interview with Manage HR, Kirksey shares her insights on the challenges, practices and upcoming trends in the benefits administration and ways to increase the efficiency in the space.

What are some challenges and trends in benefits administration? Can you share some methods to overcome them?

While working in a fully remote environment, the ongoing challenge is to maintain a holistic approach to employee well-being. Balancing mental, physical, social, and financial aspects is crucial. It is essential to develop effective benefits programs and strategies to ensure we meet our goals.

My company works 100 percent remotely, and we have offices in 36 states of the country. This necessitates a need to come up with engaging benefit programs and strategies by critical utilization of data to ensure the well-being of all employees. With a focus on health and welfare, we will be able to identify and address the chronic conditions of the employees, if any, to help them become healthier.

Another challenge we face is ensuring that we have the best HRIS system that provides the data to be data-driven as HR professionals.

Can you share insights on some of the programs that you have implemented in benefit administration?

Recently, we reconstructed our entire processes to involve key stakeholders at the right point of time while implementing a new project. This ensures that the project remains on track and the partners have all the information they need. Running pilots for new vendors or projects ensures smoother implementation.

“Staying updated and actively implementing adept engagement strategies can have a huge impact on the hiring process. It's about tailoring strategies based on business needs.”

As an industry leader, what strategies do you recommend for having favorable outcomes in benefits administration?

Staying updated and actively implementing adept engagement strategies can have a huge impact on the hiring process. It's about tailoring strategies based on business needs. Since benefits administration is a core element of HR, it is important to have a deep understanding of the industry you are in. This way, we can have a better insight into how well the business is doing and the measure of sourcing and hiring required to ensure we stay ahead of the competition.

Supporting the employees’ financial, social, and mental wellness is key to retaining them. By adopting new technologies, the HR department can benefit from recruiting and maintaining a satisfied workforce in the organization.

What is your sage advice to your peers and upcoming professionals in the benefits administration space?

My advice would be to think outside the box and don't fear innovation. Analyze data comprehensively and be open to pivoting for optimal solutions. Collaboration and building relationships with the right business segments are crucial. These can have a significant impact on shaping and achieving your personal goals.