Staff at A-One Insurance Group (AOIG) are settling back into the office reassured by a colour-coded personal comfort zone system incorporating wristbands.
All 132 employees, several of whom celebrate 25 years with the company in 2020, have been working seamlessly from home during lockdown and the ensuing months. Whilst this option continues, all staff have returned to the Covid Secure offices on a rota system, in order to maintain its strong staff culture and family values in its familiar way.
All six regional offices throughout Dorset, Hampshire and Sussex and its head office at Ringwood have adopted the innovative idea to provide comfort in an uncertain world.
Sarah Eades, group operations director, said: “We have installed a Covid-secure working environment, comprising cleaning measures, social distancing, sanitiser stations and set desk time slots. However, still concerned for the mental well-being of our staff, we introduced green, amber and red wristbands in order to immediately identify how someone is feeling about the situation ‐ each member of staff makes their choice depending on how they feel and this allows everyone to gauge how people feel in the workplace, so staff can adjust and react to persona preferences in an instant.
Red shows someone is less confident about getting too close and anxious about others that may get too close, even within the requisite safe distance, and helps to encourage others to practise stronger social distancing for the sake of their colleagues. Yellow is I’m a little nervous but relatively comfortable with the required social distancing measures. Green is I’m personally feeling in a good place, I am comfortable with interacting and I feel safe here at work, but also as a highlight to others may on occasion forget to practise social distancing, which allows the more cautious to be aware of any personal barriers being overlooked.
Each coloured band allows colleagues to appreciate how a person feels as they adjust to being back in the office and are now mixing with those that are not in their immediate family. What we have found more importantly, is how they feel in general about the Covid pandemic, and how they are coping with the new normal. The new system has been well received because it is straightforward, very visual and easy to alter as and when personal circumstances change, especially those which may make an individual more apprehensive or relaxed than perhaps the day before.
It’s all about building confidence after five challenging months and adapting to new fears and understanding an individual risk assessment, which is part of what we undertake everyday as an insurance broker for our clients.”
Established in Westbourne, Bournemouth, by managing director Ian Penfold in 1993, AOIG has grown to become a top 50 UK insurance brokerage and one of the largest privately owned insurance brokers. From all their locations AOIG provide cover for clients seeking everyday personal requirements and commercial risk management through to bespoke marine and aviation schemes.
AOIG takes pride in a client-focused, jargon-free approach and building strong client partnerships. They also benefit from an in-house claims service with dedicated account handler and delegated authorities in underwriting and claims. Their claims service is available to access 24/7 access through their claims app. Members of staff who advise customers hold the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Level 3 Certificate, a core qualification for staff working across all sectors.
A-One Insurance Group is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
For more information visit www.aoig.co.uk