A six-week open enrollment timeline for a small HR team
A calm sequence for preparing materials, briefing managers, opening elections, and following up without turning every week into an emergency.
In this guide · 5 sections
01
A planning window is an example
A six-week planning window is an example, not a rule. Adjust it to your carrier schedule, internal approvals, and the dates in your plan documents.
02
Confirm changes, test the system
Use the first part of the timeline to confirm changes, test the enrollment system, and decide which decisions employees must make. Draft one source document before creating shorter messages from it.
03
Brief managers
Next, brief managers and anyone who fields employee questions. Give them the same dates, escalation path, and approved language so answers do not vary by department.
04
When enrollment opens
When enrollment opens, send the complete guide and a short action message. Midway through the window, answer common questions and remind employees where to review their current election.
05
Near the close
Near the close, focus reminders on the deadline and required action. After the window, reconcile elections, document unresolved items, and record improvements for the next cycle.
