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Your monthly update from West Craven
Welcome to the West Craven Insurance August Newsletter. This month we provide some helpful advice to keep you updated with the latest industry changes.
In particular, we take a look at:
- How those at the top of businesses can lead the way
- Many small and medium businesses are working online without security controls in place
- 98% of UK businesses experienced a security threat in the last year
- Three ways you can measure the productivity of staff working remotely
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.
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.
31% of employees in UK Small and Medium Businesses working online without security controls
Research from digital security software companies, has found that almost a third of employees (31%) in the UK of a Small and Medium business (SMBs) are connecting to the corporate network using personal devices that have no security measures in place. This could pose a list of threats to these businesses, here’s why.
Personal devices
The rise in working from home on the heels of the pandemic has seen SMB managers needing to make drastic changes to adapt to the change in cultural working behaviours, which means providing their colleagues with efficient and suitable technology to work outside of the office. This is no easy task and among IT decision makers, many are failing to provide employees with their own dedicated work computers, with some even encouraging employees at home to use personal devices due to difficulties in supplying company hardware. This could prove to be a danger for these companies as private and confidential data is at risk of being leaked and stolen through unsecure browsers and networks.
Poor cybersecurity risks for employees
Working from home can enable employees to pick up bad habits and put their company’s data at risk. Some of these include:
- Accessing sensitive data through unsafe Wi-Fi networks
Employees working remotely could be connecting to their home wireless network or handling sensitive data and accessing accounts using unsecured public Wi-Fi. This is where the risk arises as malicious cybercriminals nearby are enabled to easily spy on and harvest confidential information.
- Using personal devices for work
There’s a high chance that many employees see no harm in transferring files between work and personal devices for convenience. However, if the employee leaves the company, they will be holding on to confidential information that has been stored on their device.
Cybercriminals are well aware of human error and will be quick to exploit it. Hackers can pull together lists of frequently used passwords and use them to access poorly protected accounts.
Employees store and share private information all day, every day and companies cannot afford to have this information stolen. Encrypting and protecting data is crucial as sensitive company information being intercepted can lead to identity fraud, ransomware, cyberattacks, theft and more.
Risk for companies
Employees could be unknowingly putting their company at risk by working from home without adequate security controls. Poor cyber security and lack of training can result in:
One of the biggest threats to a network’s security is threat actors gaining access to private information and without proper training and support, employees could be opening the door to them by interacting with phishing emails. These emails have become more sophisticated over the years and it’s becoming harder to determine authenticity without extensive training on the matter.
- Security controls are weaker
Multiple existing layers of cyber protection will not apply to remote employees. Replacing the office network with home Wi-Fi means devices are unprotected and exposed to possible unsecured networks.
When it comes to remote work, security risks are everywhere. Unfortunately, the lack of monitoring and control which comes with remote work appears to be a blessing for cybercriminals, as sensitive information is simply easier to steal from a person’s home. Educating employees and ensuring your company and all its devices are secure and protected are the only ways to tackle cybercrime.
If you are worried about cyber criminals impacting your business contact us today.
Switching off: how those at the top can lead the way
If we want people to be fully rested and productive, employers clearly have work to do encouraging them to have a break. But some of those most often resisting time off are c-level executives themselves.
Click here to read Switching off: how those at the top can lead the way.
98% of UK businesses experienced a security incident in the last year
A new report from Barracuda Networks Inc.* has revealed that almost all businesses in the UK have dealt with a security issue since July 2021.
This shocking news is based on survey data reported by senior managers across the country. Disturbingly, cyber-attacks caused 9% of businesses to go into crisis as they lost control over their devices or locations, while nearly 40% were ‘moderately’ affected. Most organisations reported that their worst breach affected them for two days.
The most common type of security incident was web application attacks, while 29% of businesses encountered problems due to malicious external hardware and removable media. Around the same number ended up with supply chain troubles, while just over 30% scrambled to cope with remote access issues.
But why are the UK’s businesses facing such a challenging security landscape? Barracuda points to a turbulent geopolitical situation that’s making ‘critical infrastructure an attractive target for cybercriminals’.**
At the same time, security projects are often side-lined due to complications or cost factors, while the lack of multifactor authentication and network segmentation has made many businesses vulnerable. The good news is that more organisations are choosing to invest more in security measures that will help keep them and their customers safe.
To learn more about how a cyber insurance policy can help protect your data, contact us today.
* The State of Industrial Security in 2022
** Tim Jefferson, SVP, Engineering for Data, Networks and Application Security, Barracuda
Three simple ways to measure the productivity of remote employees
Working from home became a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many employees still enjoy the flexibility a remote commute can bring.
But while this ever-growing trend has many positives – including helping those with childcare commitments back into the workforce – many business owners still have concerns over productivity. Here are three easy ways to track performance at a distance:
Value results – not the means
Full-on surveillance of your staff will likely make them feel invaded and resentful. Instead, ensure each employee has clear and measurable goals to achieve, so they can plan their time effectively. This way, you won’t have to constantly check your employees are at their desks – just that they’re meeting their targets.
Take advantage of project management software to support communication
Project management software such as Slack or Asana can be a godsend if you need to share details en masse or group people into teams. It also allows your remote employees to quickly contact managers or colleagues to ask questions, source crucial information missing from their brief, or report technical problems.
Help employees break down tasks & reward efficiency
Large projects can often feel overwhelming, leading some remote workers to procrastinate. Help your team cope psychologically by breaking down big tasks into smaller, more digestible milestones.
Once a project is complete, review how well each employee has met their goals and deadlines. Consider personally thanking top performers or offering increased freedom and other benefits to keep their focus razor sharp.
Likewise, reach out to people who don’t perform as well to check they’re receiving adequate support – a simple tweak could make a huge difference to what they’re able to bring to the team.
A flexible working environment can attract loyal and committed team players who appreciate the benefits of working for your business. If managed correctly, a remote option can improve conditions for everyone involved – and even reduce running costs.
We believe in building a supportive workplace that gets the best results for our staff and clients.
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