The majority of respondents reported working from home at least part-time during the pandemic, a fact that the report says may have implications for the future of office culture. Only 15% of those surveyed said they want to go back to the office full-time. Two-thirds would like some mix of time at home and in the office, while nearly 1 in 5 want to work fully remote.
Women worked from home at least part of the time at a higher rate (35%) than men (23%). Of the women working from home, most were age 40-55.
Insurance professionals’ ideal breakdown of at-home versus in-office work. Source: Vertafore 2021.
“Organizations will need to listen to their people and keep an open mind for what the flexible workplace will look like in the future,” said Kristin Nease, vice president of Human Resources at Vertafore. “There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Organizations need to have open, authentic conversations with their team about what will and won’t work for their people and their business.”
‘Silver Tsunami’
The Vertafore study reaffirms that agencies are facing a huge transition in talent. Respondents aged 56 and older made up 35% of those surveyed, while only 25% of respondents were under age 40.
Vertafore said that gap reinforces findings from previous years that show the industry isn’t attracting enough young talent to compensate for older workers who are nearing retirement.