How the insurance coverage trade could be extra versatile

Whereas there have been strides made to prioritize employees’ bodily and psychological well being because the early days of the pandemic, extra can nonetheless be accomplished in keeping with Tamieka Weeks (pictured), director, world threat administration & insurance coverage at Southwire Firm.

“A few of us have households or family members that require additional care. You additionally could also be scuffling with an sickness and want that additional flexibility to attend docs’ appointments or different pressing wants,” she mentioned.

“Nonetheless, general, I don’t suppose the trade as an entire nonetheless views us as human beings. Whereas some flexibility does exist, I’m seeing an uptick within the quantity of firms which can be requiring full-time back-to-office and elevated journey.”

Weeks cautions that, as staff, insurance coverage professionals want to guard themselves and make self-care an integral a part of any skilled or private routine.

“There actually is a fragile dance to attaining this, however all of us need to proceed to set boundaries for ourselves, whether or not that’s not taking calls on sure days or solely going into workplace two days per week,” she mentioned.

Weeks additionally introduced up why it is very important construct significant connections with employers and different coworkers to have the ability to have extra empathetic conversations about private wants.

“You by no means know who else could also be going by way of an identical state of affairs,” she mentioned.

“Odds are, you’re not alone in your struggles, and it’s key that each one of us are in a position to rely on each other once we want it most.”

In an interview with Insurance coverage Enterprise, Weeks spoke about how she is happy to talk on a panel at this yr’s Ladies in Insurance coverage Summit Atlanta and why a majority of these occasions could be useful for feminine professionals.

Talking at Ladies in Insurance coverage Atlanta

Because the director of worldwide threat administration & insurance coverage for the Carrollton, GA-based Southwire Firm – an organization she has been with for over 20 years – Weeks is chargeable for the group’s insurance coverage procurement, managing all threat operations to implement efficient and environment friendly threat remedy methods, and overseeing threat administration processes together with claims oversight.

Elsewhere, she sits on the RIMS (Danger & Insurance coverage Administration Society, Inc.) world board of administrators whereas persevering with to serve on the Atlanta RIMS chapter board of administrators, the place she accomplished a two-year time period as chapter president. Extra not too long ago, she joined Subsequent OnBoard and continues to concentrate on rising her management expertise.

Along with her intensive expertise within the area of insurance coverage and her ardour to be on the forefront of thought management, Weeks is wanting ahead to sitting alongside different feminine professionals within the “Methods to empower girls in insurance coverage – Unlocking management success at each profession stage” panel.

“Proper off the bat, I’m excited in regards to the recollections that I’m going to make with this super group of individuals,” Weeks mentioned.

“Feelings are going to run excessive, and I’m going to have the ability to meet those that I most likely wouldn’t have crossed paths with if it wasn’t for this occasion.”

Utilizing her platform to debate empowerment within the trade, Weeks believes that leaders ought to be their most congenial and genuine selves when inspiring others.

“It’s actually vital to be approachable and clear, permitting folks the chance to really feel that it’s OK to stroll as much as ask a pacesetter any query confidently,” she mentioned.

“We, as leaders, must create areas the place those that are working with us could be their most genuine selves.”

Weeks plans on stressing the significance of continually looking for networking alternatives for youthful professionals seeking to additional their careers.

“Getting on the market to occasions like this or getting concerned with committees is essential to constructing your community and ability set,” she mentioned.

“I’m excited to debate with the opposite panellists how vital networking alternatives like this are, how we will help youthful girls really feel empowered in selecting a profession in insurance coverage and make these in attendance really feel comfy to speak with different attendees and construct connections.”

To seek out out extra in regards to the Ladies in Insurance coverage Summit Atlanta or when you want to attend, click on on this hyperlink.