Workplace safety tools when employees return to the office

Technology vendors are launching “return-to-the-workplace” tools to meet nearly every organization’s circumstances.

When should employees return to the workplace, and how should companies do it?

Businesses in the insurance industry and across sectors are wrestling with these questions and others when considering the return of employees to the workplace. Even when the decision is made to reopen the workplace, how it occurs will differ depending on an organization’s industry, employees, physical space, budget, and more. One thing we all are aware of: It’s not just a matter of opening the doors and telling employees to come on in.

Technology vendors are launching apps, software, and devices for just about every contingency and for nearly every organization’s circumstances. You might say they’re “return-to-the-workplace” tools.

Before any decision is made, HR and employee benefits should be included, even if it’s a small business where the CEO/owner has to put on their HR hat to consider all the risks and requirements. For those who have decided to return employees to the workplace, there are at least five key areas to deal with, each with lots of moving parts:

Workplace safety
Employee health/well-being/benefits
Employee communications
Workplace policies/business decisionmaking
Potential for hybrid workforce – on-site and remote workers

In the crucial area of workplace safety. CEOs, business owners, and HR will want to address such issues as the following:

Screening of employees and visitors/clients
Contact tracing in case of outbreaks
Scheduling of employee shifts and visitors/clients
Moving workstations and creating new traffic patterns
Monitoring of building room capacity
Monitoring of employee movements
Deciding whether to establish vaccine policies and what they might be

Fortunately, vendors have launched hundreds of tools, some simple, some comprehensive, covering a wide spectrum of workplace safety needs. Check out the interactive graphic above for information about the functions of workplace safety tools as you research what is best for your organization.

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Cyber Liability

The Rising Importance of Cyber Insurance for Startups

The landscape of cybersecurity is shifting rapidly, making cyber insurance a critical safeguard for startups. According to Embroker’s 2024 Cyber Risk Index: Startup Edition, 93% of startups now carry cyber insurance, a significant increase from 86% just two years ago. This trend reflects growing concerns over cyberattacks, with 81% of startup founders having faced a cyberattack in their career—up from 67% in 2022. Why Cyber Insurance Matters for Startups Startups face mounting pressures from investors, boards, and clients to maintain cyber coverage. In fact, 41% of founders say cyber insurance has helped them secure funding, underscoring its role beyond protection. As Andy Lea, Embroker’s chief insurance officer, explains, “Cyber insurance is becoming more important, not just for protection but as a business enabler, given the prominence of cyber breaches in the news.” Factors Driving Cyber Coverage Adoption Several elements are pushing startups toward cyber insurance: Moreover, 87% of startups are planning new cyber protection measures for 2025, while nine in 10 have a dedicated cybersecurity team or vendor. Confidence in Coverage Interestingly, while only 7% of startups opted for the most comprehensive cyber insurance in 2024, most founders remain optimistic about their policies. A substantial 66% believe their current coverage fully addresses their risk, up significantly from 30% in 2022. As cyber threats evolve, startups are increasingly prioritizing insurance as part of their resilience strategy, reflecting a broader industry shift toward proactive risk management.

Insurance-technology

Hard Market Needs Tech & Creativity: Navigating Challenges in the Insurance Industry

The insurance market is experiencing significant instability due to inflation, the global pandemic, evolving cybersecurity risks, and climate change. According to experts at Send’s INFUSE webinar titled Navigating the Hard Insurance Market, innovative technology and creative product design could be key in bringing stability to this challenging environment. Rising Risks and Challenges The growing frequency of weather-related disasters has especially made risk assessment difficult for insurers. Tandis Nili, managing principal of global risk management at Epic Insurance Brokers, highlighted that underwriting has struggled to keep pace. “Weather patterns are changing rapidly, and the underwriting models we’ve relied on are no longer sufficient,” Nili remarked. The traditional methods of predicting risks, based on past events, are no longer applicable as 100-year events are now happening much more frequently. Leveraging Technology for Stability Martina Conlon, executive principal at Datos Insights, emphasized the importance of utilizing automation and artificial intelligence (AI) to address this volatility. AI-driven predictive models, she explained, can assist insurers in making more accurate risk assessments, which in turn leads to better pricing and more efficient processes. “It’s all about moving beyond traditional tools like spreadsheets and policy systems,” Conlon said. By integrating more advanced technology, insurers can streamline operations and enhance accuracy in their assessments. Creative Product Innovation Another critical aspect in managing the hard market is innovative product design. Jennifer Kyung, CEO of NextGen Underwriting, discussed the opportunities for insurers to rethink product structures. This could involve adding new lines for emerging risks or restructuring existing products to share the responsibility between insurers and clients. For example, home insurance policies could evolve, particularly in regions facing heightened risks due to climate change. “This is a real opportunity for underwriters to creatively design products that better align with future risk landscapes,” Kyung added. Preparedness: A Key Lesson Lastly, the past few years have highlighted the need for insurers to be prepared for the unexpected. While it’s impossible to predict future events, the industry can ensure that it has the right tools and capabilities in place to respond swiftly and effectively when crises arise. As Kyung put it, “We may not predict what’s coming, but we can be ready for whatever it is.” Conclusion In today’s volatile market, insurers must embrace both technological advancements and creative product design to navigate the evolving risk landscape. By doing so, they can enhance stability, build consumer trust, and be prepared for future challenges.

Workplace safety tools when employees return to the office