As we continue through CAT season in the midst of a global pandemic, being prepared for the unknown is more important than ever. In order to best accommodate unforeseen circumstances and increased workloads, claims departments are leveraging hybrid teams that include a variety of employment types, including full-time and part-time employees, as well as interim resources. However, for these teams to be truly effective, insurers must understand how to best manage their blended teams.

As the business world adapts and flexes its collective muscle in the Age of COVID-19, there’s an increased focus on risk, data and communication. Chief risk officers and risk managers are emerging as in-demand and essential positions, and risk expertise is actively sought in the boardroom. Functions within the realm of risk management, such as data analytics, enterprise risk management and actuarial are also moving up many organizations’ “must have” priority lists.

While many aspects of recruiting and hiring have evolved over the years (and fairly dramatically in just the past few months), employers don't always give the same attention to their job postings. If your team has been using templated listings or doesn’t remember the last time they’ve made updates to language and format, it may be time for an overhaul. Take a fresh look to make sure you’re presenting your open positions in a way that is effective in attracting the right talent.

By Margaret Resce Milkint and Catherine Lamson

Original article published by NU PropertyCasualty360. Reprinted with permission from the May 28, 2020, issue of NU PropertyCasualty360. © 2020 ALM Media Properties, LLC. Further duplication without permission is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Gender issues have existed in our industry for a long time, yet most evidence has been anecdotal. Now we’re armed with tangible data insights that are more important than ever.

As business continues remotely for the foreseeable future, insurers can no longer delay filling critical positions. However, onboarding employees from afar may seem like a daunting task. If you have a new employee joining your team while operating in a virtual environment, it’s paramount to have a well-thought-out remote onboarding plan in place. By being intentional about your onboarding and orientation process, you’ll be able to successfully welcome new employees to your organization and set them up to thrive.