Written by Ruth Leggett, CEO, Ireland, Sedgwick, and Angela Hornby, director of capability, Australia, Sedgwick Though the workforce upheaval sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic and other global factors has begun to subside somewhat, employers will surely continue to feel tremors in 2023 and likely beyond. Seismic business, social and political shifts are still shaking organizational foundations. The ongoing war […]

By Richard Lumby BA (Hons); G Dip (Law); BDMA Ins Tech, liability technical and audit manager, Sedgwick International UK The recent decision in Steven Kennedy v Sheldon Inns Ltd (t/a The Kings Arms) [2022] involving an altercation at a pub has added to the library of decisions regarding vicarious liability. There is little doubt the insurance industry […]

By Scotty Benton, VP, workers’ compensation practice; Reema Hammoud, AVP, clinical pharmacy; Laura Oslund, senior risk services consultant; and Rich Wirth, SVP, risk services The statistics regarding drug use among the American workforce are alarming. Drugs can adversely affect a person’s judgment, reaction time, attentiveness, dexterity, cognitive function, productivity and more. It’s not hard to imagine how an employee […]

Supporting an atmosphere of learning by offering ongoing professional development opportunities enables employees to keep their skills sharp, gain new proficiencies, and enjoy personal and professional growth. For employers, providing access to corporate universities, tuition assistance benefits and mentorship programs is seen as a win-win for their employees and the business. In this podcast, we […]

By Lisa Orr, senior human factors consultant and Laura Oslund, senior risk services consultant A core principle in risk services, one of the most effective ways to support employee safety and well-being and control workers’ compensation costs is to prevent on-the-job injuries from occurring in the first place. A population group that presents a significant challenge in this […]

By Rosemarie McMorris-Alexander, claims operations manager The pandemic encouraged many workers to reconsider their priorities and attitudes toward their professional and personal lives. As a result, employers were given a unique opportunity to gain insights about how to support their employees. Across industries, workers expressed a need for work-life flexibility and a desire to feel […]

by Peter Farrelly, managing director – commercial claims services The ‘war for talent’ has become one of the most talked-about topics for organisations in every sector. As loss adjusting firms seek to replace top talent who have left due to retirement, higher pay, or a change in career altogether — the questions remain: where will […]

By Scotty Benton, VP, workers’ compensation practice; Reema Hammoud, AVP, clinical pharmacy; Laura Oslund, senior risk services consultant; and Rich Wirth, SVP, risk services The statistics regarding drug use among the American workforce are alarming. An estimated one in 12 U.S. workers has a substance use disorder (SUD), and more than half of all adults diagnosed with […]

By Bryon Bass, SVP, workforce absence, and Adam Morell, AVP, product compliance We know from scientific studies and anecdotal evidence that “brain fog” is among the most common symptoms of long COVID. According to the Solve Long COVID Initiative, 58% of people with post-COVID symptoms lasting seven months or longer have experienced brain fog — cognitive impairment […]

By David Reed, global head of talent acquisition Is the “great” part of the Great Resignation over? This is one question that is top of mind for human resources (HR) executives as workers continue to hop job opportunities in search of something better. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the overall quit rate […]

By Matthew Cohen – senior vice president, client services and Michelle Hay – global chief people officer The past few years have been marked by unprecedented upheaval in the workforce. The pandemic and rising cost of living have led many to reexamine their personal priorities and career goals. Meanwhile, baby boomers transitioning into retirement are […]

By Adam Morell, AVP, product compliance, and Bridget Caswell, director, product compliance and statutory administration There is no federal requirement for U.S. employers to provide paid leave benefits to their employees. While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers leave with job protection to eligible employees for qualifying events, employers are not required to […]

By Scott Alcock, corporate counsel and national human resources manager, New Zealand The competition to attract and retain talent has never been more challenging, and it’s driving a global workplace revolution. The pandemic made everyone think long and hard about what really matters – work-life balance, pay, benefits and career opportunities, even employers’ green credentials. These are all crucial considerations […]

By Shane O’Dea, head of strategic partnerships and programs, workers compensation When an employee is unable to work due to an illness or injury, early communication is key to improving recovery and return to work outcomes. In fact, research in Australia suggests that when contact is made with an injured worker within the first three days post-injury, […]

By David Reed, global head of talent acquisition and Heather Lawley, global head of DEI & ESG The labor force is constantly evolving, but the past several years have brought new and unexpected shifts in economic uncertainty, labor force dynamics and new modes of working. It isn’t growing, just a different mix. As the workforce […]

By Adam Morell, JD, assistant vice president, product compliance When an employee is unable to work due to an illness or injury, employers are responsible for creating a safe, supportive environment for them to return to. But it doesn’t have to be an “all or nothing” approach. There are several ways to take care of […]

By Katey Bey, global head of total rewards and David Reed, global head of talent acquisition Fluctuation in the workforce has prompted employers to invest more resources, think creatively, and refocus on collaboration, communication and support for the needs of employee populations. Pay is still the key differentiator and primary focus for candidates today, but […]

By Bridget Caswell, director of product compliance; and Jennifer Dama, operations communications consultant Necessity has proved to be the mother of invention when it comes to adopting alternative work models. What many employers originally anticipated to be a brief sojourn into flexible work is now going on two-plus years. Despite the lack of strategic planning […]

By Dr. Teresa Bartlett managing director, senior medical officer and Mark Debus, MSW, LCSW manager, behavioral health services Many of those who became accustomed to remote arrangements during the pandemic fear they will lose their work-life balance upon returning to the office. Meanwhile, others feel they will gain social engagement and a sense of connectedness. […]

By Kimberly George, global head, innovation and product development and Dr. Teresa Bartlett, senior medical officer The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the face of the workforce. Much like an individual who survived a near-death experience, workers around the world have en masse taken stock of their lives during the past two years, reconsidering their priorities, longevity […]

By Mark Debus, MSW, LCSW, manager, behavioral health services Over the past two years, workers’ resilience has been repeatedly tested and challenged. As a result, many are stronger, more agile, and more adaptive than ever before. At the same time, many workers are drained and reeling from the toll of grief, loss, and uncertainty they […]

By Lisa Orr, senior human factors consultant The rapid shift to work-from-home arrangements during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that many remote work setups were quickly put together without long-term considerations in mind. Given that two years have passed since the start of the pandemic, now is a good time to revisit these — what once […]

By Bryon Bass, SVP, workforce absence, and Max Koonce, chief claims officer Long COVID is an umbrella term for cases in which people experience symptoms related to COVID-19 long after the standard expected recovery period. According to the World Health Organization definition, symptoms “generally have an impact on everyday functioning” and may come and go over […]

By Dan Ogale, AVP, workers’ compensation, Canada Sedgwick is best known in Canada for property loss adjusting and related services, but did you know that we’re also one of the leading Canadian third party administrators (TPAs) in the workers’ compensation (WC) arena? Many of the inquiries we get about workers’ compensation in Canada come from U.S.-based employers […]

By Dr. Teresa Bartlett, senior medical officer and Kimberly George, global head, innovation and product development In the U.S., April 4-10 marks National Public Health Week, which aims to educate policymakers, practitioners and the public about topics that are important to improving the health of our nation. Among the issues to be highlighted this year […]