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Your monthly update from West Craven
Welcome to the West Craven Insurance May Newsletter. This month we provide some helpful advice to keep you updated with the latest industry changes.
In particular, we take a look at:
- Cyber-attacks are on the rise
- Tips to secure your garden
- The best time to travel anywhere and everywhere
- UK workers value sick pay as the best incentive at work
We hope you enjoy this month's edition!
‘Inexpensive’ ways to protect your home as winter approaches
HEATING your home in the winter is a necessity for most Britons as temperatures are predicted to plummet over the next few weeks. But is your boiler up to it? Here's how to prepare and protect your system and avoid costly repair jobs.
Click here to read ‘Inexpensive’ ways to protect your home as winter approaches.
Top tips to secure your garden
There are several things that can be done to improve security in the garden and your shed – most of which are relatively inexpensive to secure your home garden.
Looking for home insurance? Click here.
Click here to read Top tips to secure your garden.
How workplace safety will evolve this year
Many firms are asking staff to return to work in the office. We are no longer required to self-isolate with Covid and there is no obligation for staff to tell employers if they test positive. So what does this mean for workplace safety in 2022?
Infection prevention
Many employers are experiencing an increased expectation from their workforce to keep staff safe and well. Employers should continue to prioritise infection prevention and control, where possible increasing ventilation, reducing contact between employees and keeping the workplace clean.
Remote working obligations
Now that businesses of all types have adapted to remote working, many have embraced it. Some have even altered recruitment policies to widen the pool of talent and actively recruited people on remote-working contracts.
In the rush to shift to remote working in 2020, a large number of employers may not have taken the time to complete home-based working risk assessments. Now that remote working is here to stay, it is important that risk managers take seriously the health and safety responsibilities of people working at home. From electrical equipment to posture, employers have a legal duty to take appropriate measures to ensure their staff have a safe working environment outside of the workplace.
Mental Health
Employers across the country are placing mental health and wellbeing high up on their agenda, offering training to line managers and appointing roles such as a mental health first aider. In 2021, The Health & Safety Executive’s annual report on workplace health and safety statistics, showed 451,000 people suffering from a new case of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. That was a 30% year-on-year increase and we expect that figure to rise again.
Some employees will not feel comfortable returning to pre-pandemic working patterns. They may need help managing a phased return to the workplace, along with psychological support around coping with anxious thoughts.
For others, the last two years working from home may have taken a toll on their mental health. Employees working from home are more likely to feel isolated compared to those in a workplace, sometimes resulting in anxiety, depression and a significant lack of motivation. Employers should be reassuring employees that they can ask for help and receive support if they need it.
Disputes linked to safety concerns
Risk managers need to be aware of the potential for unrelated disputes to play out in a workplace safety context. An employee with a grievance about terms of employment, a flexible working request or even a performance-related issue, could latch onto workplace safety as a justification for a certain course of action.
It is more important than ever for risk managers to work in partnership with Human Resources departments as well as individual line managers, ensuring processes are well-documented and paper trail management is scrupulous.
Now is a great time to ensure your insurance policies cover you for all the risks to which you may be exposed. To discuss any aspect of your company’s insurance policy portfolio, get in touch.
Have you sufficiently prepared your car for the spring season?
As the warmer weather sets in, days become longer and the evening skies are brighter, we know spring has arrived.
Throughout the winter, we’re all guilty of neglecting our cars’ needs. After all, spending time out in the cold, snowy weather, checking fluid levels, testing brakes and cleaning from top to bottom is not everyone’s cup of tea.
So, why not treat your car to its very own spring clean this month? Here are three things you can get started with.
Do you need new wipers?
The snow, rain, and icy weather that we encounter throughout the winter can mean that you need new wipers by the time spring arrives. If you notice your windscreen is streaky or still dirty after you have cleaned it, this may be a tell-tale sign that now is the time to invest in some new wipers.
Have you tested your brakes recently?
Signs that show your brakes may be wearing include squeaking or grinding noises when applying pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes can be professionally tested and fixed during a routine service, ensuring you, your family and your car are all safe!
Did you know that leaving your car dirty can cause damage?
With gritted roads and melting ice, your car can get particularly dirty during the winter. Now that spring has arrived, why not get your cleaning products out and make your car look new? Leaving dirt on your car can lead to micro-scratches and rusting paintwork – not something any car owner wants!
Is your car insurance policy up for renewal soon? Our knowledgeable experts are here to ensure you take out a sufficient policy that covers all your needs. Get in touch today to find out more.
How workplace safety will evolve this year
Many firms are asking staff to return to work in the office. We are no longer required to self-isolate with Covid and there is no obligation for staff to tell employers if they test positive. So what does this mean for workplace safety in 2022?
Infection prevention
Many employers are experiencing an increased expectation from their workforce to keep staff safe and well. Employers should continue to prioritise infection prevention and control, where possible increasing ventilation, reducing contact between employees and keeping the workplace clean.
Remote working obligations
Now that businesses of all types have adapted to remote working, many have embraced it. Some have even altered recruitment policies to widen the pool of talent and actively recruited people on remote-working contracts.
In the rush to shift to remote working in 2020, a large number of employers may not have taken the time to complete home-based working risk assessments. Now that remote working is here to stay, it is important that risk managers take seriously the health and safety responsibilities of people working at home. From electrical equipment to posture, employers have a legal duty to take appropriate measures to ensure their staff have a safe working environment outside of the workplace.
Mental Health
Employers across the country are placing mental health and wellbeing high up on their agenda, offering training to line managers and appointing roles such as a mental health first aider. In 2021, The Health & Safety Executive’s annual report on workplace health and safety statistics, showed 451,000 people suffering from a new case of work-related stress, depression, or anxiety. That was a 30% year-on-year increase and we expect that figure to rise again.
Some employees will not feel comfortable returning to pre-pandemic working patterns. They may need help managing a phased return to the workplace, along with psychological support around coping with anxious thoughts.
For others, the last two years working from home may have taken a toll on their mental health. Employees working from home are more likely to feel isolated compared to those in a workplace, sometimes resulting in anxiety, depression and a significant lack of motivation. Employers should be reassuring employees that they can ask for help and receive support if they need it.
Disputes linked to safety concerns
Risk managers need to be aware of the potential for unrelated disputes to play out in a workplace safety context. An employee with a grievance about terms of employment, a flexible working request or even a performance-related issue, could latch onto workplace safety as a justification for a certain course of action.
It is more important than ever for risk managers to work in partnership with Human Resources departments as well as individual line managers, ensuring processes are well-documented and paper trail management is scrupulous.
Now is a great time to ensure your insurance policies cover you for all the risks to which you may be exposed. To discuss any aspect of your company’s insurance policy portfolio, get in touch.
The best time to travel anywhere and everywhere!
Ready for your next adventure, but not quite sure if it’s the best time to travel to your chosen destination? We’ve got you covered. Find out everything you need to know!
Get your travel insurance quote here.
Click here to read The best time to travel anywhere and everywhere!.
Nearly 70% of UK workers value sick pay as best work incentive
For over two-thirds (67%) of the 1,001 people polled, sick pay is the employee benefit that they value most, followed by flexible working hours (57%)...
Interested? Find out more below
Click here to read Nearly 70% of UK workers value sick pay as best work incentive.
Cyber-attacks are on the rise
The government published its Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2022 in March. The report showed that, in the last 12 months, 39% of UK businesses identified a cyber-attack and suggested that many more organisations will have experienced attacks either without realising it or without reporting them.
Among those businesses identifying breaches or attacks, 49% reported incidents occurring once a month and 31% said they have experienced breaches or attacks at least once a week. The most reported cyber-attack was phishing (83%), and 20% of businesses had experienced a more sophisticated attack in the last year, such as a denial of service, malware, or ransomware attack.
Temporary loss of access to files or networks, disruption to websites, applications, or online services; and software being corrupted or damaged are the most reported outcomes of a cyber-attack. Viruses, ransomware, account takeovers, hacking attempts, and other unauthorised access were also reported. For businesses that reported breaches or attacks with a material outcome, losing either money or data, four in ten indicated it took a full working day or more to recover.
The published survey shows that cyber security is now seen as a high priority by a greater proportion of businesses than ever before. However, despite qualitative interviews revealing a good understanding at a senior level of the risks posed by cyber-attacks, only 43% of businesses reported having an insurance policy that covers cyber risks.
Most commonly, breaches or attacks lead to organisations having to take new measures to prevent or protect against future cases, or staff resources being redirected to deal with the breach.
Is your business protected? Get in touch for a no-obligation quote.
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