Navigating the New Normal: Insights into Remote and Hybrid Work Culture | Insurance business America
Managing remote and hybrid workforce claims
Workers comp
By Nicole Panteloucos
This article was produced in collaboration with the Davies Group.
With many of us now setting up offices at home, the advent of remote working post-COVID-19 has increasingly blurred the boundaries between work and personal life.
Although telecommuting benefits organizations and employees, it complicates workers’ compensation claims because it is difficult to distinguish between work-related activities and home life.
As the modern workforce continues to transition into the gig economy, where workers operate more flexibly, employers must ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect workers.
Beverly Adkins (pictured above), president of workers’ compensation and property and casualty insurance TPA, Davies, sat down with Insurance Business to discuss this and other trends in workers’ compensation claims.
Telework policies
To ensure employers keep up with the new way of working, Adkins recommended adopting a telework policy, which are guidelines that detail how remote and hybrid workers should complete their tasks.
“You want to clarify how your workspace at home is set up. Employees can have accidents at home and you want to determine if there is a separate office,” Adkins said.
However, Adkins also acknowledged that home offices still create legal gray areas and risk factors are more difficult to control when employees work remotely.
Referring to a case in which an employee tripped over his dog while working from home, which was later overturned and declared non-compensable, Adkins said: “You need to be aware of the different laws and rules in different states, but also understand your employees’ remote work environments.”
Adkins also noted that special risks can arise as hybrid employees constantly move between work and home, an issue that was not prevalent before COVID-19.
“Employees split their time between remote and office work, so demands could also arise from the transition between work and home environments.”
Adkins explained that employers need to be aware of mental health as returning to the office is a concern for many.
A recent McKinsey survey found that nearly a third of employees who have already returned to the office reported negative mental health impacts. Additionally, half of employees still working remotely expected the return would have a negative impact on their mental health.
“Employees may experience increased stress and anxiety about returning to the office, which could lead to workplace accidents or aggravate pre-existing injuries,” Adkins said.
Regular assessments and training
According to Adkins, remote work has increased the demands of home office workers, including slips, trips or comfort issues due to improperly set up workstations.
“It’s critical to cover things like hazard detection and ergonomics. Regular refresher courses can help strengthen safety protocols and reduce the risk of workplace accidents,” Adkins said.
Adkins provided additional advice to employers and emphasized the importance of establishing safety committees.
“If they don’t already have a safety committee, establishing one with representatives from both management and front-line employees will help promote a culture of safety in the workplace,” Adkins said.
Predictive analytics
As technology advances, Adkins cited employee wearables as another strategy companies can adopt to reduce injury and risk to employees.
These devices often monitor physiological indicators with the ability to detect fatigue and stress, while some can monitor whether an employee is lifting properly to prevent injury.
For Adkins, using technology wherever possible to create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement is key to creating safe workplaces.
“Predictive analytics play a crucial role. Identifying patterns, trends and risk factors associated with workplace injuries can help companies anticipate potential hazards and allocate resources to better mitigate risks,” Adkins said.
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2024-06-21 15:12:09
www.insurancebusinessmag.com
