Flexibility the key to unlocking the potential of working parents
Like many others, the broking profession is facing significant staffing challenges due to the global talent shortage. In order to tackle this, organisations have had to become more flexible, opening up to different candidates and ways of working. Indeed, the talent pool that is working parents - including those returning to work, those starting or making a career change - represent a valuable yet often overlooked resource due to their need for certain flexibilities or differing working arrangements.
As part of the research behind Insure Your Future, we have interviewed individual employees as well as having had discussions with several firms on how they are supporting their employees. The following interview with Catherine gives a fantastic insight into how the ability to job share has enabled her to be fully present both personally and professionally.
Catherine began her insurance broking career with a traineeship 14 years ago and has not looked back since. She says the variety of her role excites her the most; "I enjoy participating in site visits, workshops, meetings, presentations, and spending time with my colleagues, underwriters and clients and building strong relationships."
As a mother to two young children, Catherine required flexibility to carry out her role as a Senior Associate at Lockton, which involves the day-to-day servicing of Global and Corporate clients' accounts while contributing to business development.
“My role was created around my need for flexibility as a mother with young children.” Catherine shares. She can successfully carry out her professional and personal responsibilities thanks to a suite of flexibilities offered by her employer.
Through working remotely from home, Catherine has been able to continue her career while raising her children. Sharing her role with a colleague, Cara, further helps, meaning she can be truly present as a parent on her days out of the office while also ensuring her clients are fully taken care of in her absence and queries are answered without delay.
Catherine shares her positive experience with Lockton in the hopes of reassuring other parents considering their return to work or who may fear not being able to build office relationships due to having differing arrangements with colleagues.
Despite her reduced working hours, she highlights how the company's supportive approach has facilitated her integration into the local team. She says,
"My employer are excellent around facilitating meetings around my working days and ensuring we feel part of the overall VIC/TAS team. The inclusion in business development and clients is not limited due to my reduced working hours."
This example illustrates how companies can still foster an inclusive environment that respects individual needs while maintaining team unity and active participation in business activities.
Catherine believes that the current landscape in the insurance space is ripe for seeking flexible working arrangements. She explains, "Insurance is an excellent profession with a variety of roles available. Many companies are willing to be flexible and utilise part-time staff due to resourcing issues we are facing." Her insights suggest a growing recognition within the industry of the value of accommodating diverse working arrangements to address staffing challenges and leverage a broader talent pool.
For parents contemplating a start or return to a career in broking, Catherine encourages open communication:
"Be open and honest with what you need to assist you back into the workplace. Find an employer who is happy to work with you to get the right balance for you both."
Catherine's own positive experience in securing flexibility without compromising her role in the team or missing out on opportunities emphasises the importance of finding a mutually beneficial working arrangement with your employer.