Insurers on pushing flexible working beyond childcare

The need for flexible working practices is often associated exclusively with childcare – however, insurance industry executives say it’s important to recognise the benefits of flexibility in being inclusive, and not only in terms of gender. Auckland’s recent Women in Insurance Summit discussed the benefits and practical applications of flexible working, and the cultural changes that need to be made to encourage inclusive career progression. Sarah O’Brien, national claims manager, liability, at QBE, says that flexible working is often pinned as a childcare-related “women’s issue” – a perception which would hugely benefit from change, as the burden of childcare is split much more equally than it used to be. Those without care responsibilities should also be factored into the equation, especially as the insurance sector moves towards greater responsibility when it comes to client and employee wellbeing. “Flexible working and balancing childcare is often talked about as a women’s issue, but it’s truly a human issue,” O’Brien said.