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Human Resources | Overcoming Workplace Politics

Posted By Society Insurance, Friday, July 8, 2022
Updated: Thursday, July 21, 2022

By: Rebecca Freiberg, Society Insurance

Workplace politics can be a delicate subject. Workplace politics is the manifestation of power dynamics amongst employees. At its best, you’ll feel like you’re walking on eggshells each time you set foot in the office and at its worst, you can ruffle a few feathers, making each day feel miserable. Every office has some form of politics; what matters is whether or not they are toxic. Here we’ll go over ways you can overcome workplace politics, or at the very least stay on the right side of issues, to avoid becoming embroiled in drama.


Know the Ins & Outs of the Organization

 

The first way to overcome workplace politics is to understand different functions of the organization. This means understanding the company’s organizational structure, who reports to who. It’s also important to understand who within the organization has influence. You might ask yourself questions such as, “who are the true influencers? Who is respected? Who mentors others?”

 

Embrace Transparency

 

Stress the importance of open communication among and between teams, especially if you manage people. Your team members should feel at ease coming to you with problems they’re having without repercussion. Open communication leads to effective communication which then leads to an efficient workflow. When employees feel comfortable discussing workplace problems with co-workers, it leads to the potential resolution of problems.

 

Implement a Realistic Code of Conduct

 

Simply having a definition for what establishes acceptable behavior is a major step in avoiding workplace conflict. Making a system for decision making, encouraging open collaboration, team building, leadership training and development, and careful hiring will all help avoid workplace conflict. It’s important to have clearly defined responsibilities so everyone knows what’s expected from them.

 

It is equally important to have a clearly laid out chain of command to allow for effective communication. In other words, define workplace rules clearly and make it known what will or will not be tolerated. Removing assumptions will drastically reduce the risk of conflict in the workplace.

 

Don’t Add Fuel to Fire


Behaviors to avoid include:

• Spreading gossip

• Choosing sides

• Taking part in the rumor mill

• Becoming jealous

 

Become Swiss and Don’t Take Sides

 

It is vital that employees remain neutral during conflicts, even if you like someone more than another. Your position may be a trusted authority figure, meaning that your actions and words have significant meaning. Think about what is best for the company, not for personal satisfaction. Remaining neutral allows you to make great decisions and stay separate from workplace politics. Once a side is taken it is difficult to overcome.


Get Level: Cooler Heads Prevail

 

Similar to remaining objective, don’t lose your cool and become aggressive with someone or you’ll gain a negative reputation for it. This is relevant advice for all workplace situations. If you do not remain cool, your reputation and career is at risk. Even though workplace politics may upset you, staying cool has its benefits. Keeping cool prevents you from saying or doing anything in the moment that you may regret later.

 

Practice What You Preach: Political Behavior Comes From The Top

 

Owners and managers influence behavior. If they promote or facilitate a toxic political atmosphere, it may be time to search for a new job. Leaders in the organization must take steps to eliminate political behavior  immediately.

 

How Managers Can Quash Negative Workplace Behavior

 

• Share the goals that you are trying to achieve and reward those who help achieve them. When the collective goal is clear, it is less likely that people will prioritize their own interests first.

 

• Keep every employee in the organization involved so no one employee feels more important than another.

• Make connections within the organization and develop strong interpersonal communication between individuals via lunches, happy hours, kickball leagues, etc. When employees are connected and respect one another, workplace politics begin to diminish.

 

Conflict in the workplace is inevitable, even with the most agreeable personalities. The average American spends well over 2,000 hours at work over the course of a year. When employees of various backgrounds and different work styles are brought together to work on the same project with the same goal, conflict could be a natural byproduct. Not all conflict is bad, however all conflict can and should be managed and resolved. If handled correctly, confronting conflict head-on will result in a stronger culture and closer teams.

Tags:  human resources  insuring Wisconsin  Society Insurance  wisconsin independent insurance association  wisconsin insurance agency help  wisconsin insurance blog  workplace politics 

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July Members in the News

Posted By IIAW Staff, Saturday, July 2, 2022
Updated: Thursday, July 21, 2022

Members in the News: July 2022

Secura Insurance Promotes Larry Wright to Senior Vice President


Neenah, WI (5/26/22) -  SECURA Insurance promoted Larry Wright to Senior Vice President and Chief Claims Officer effective May 23, 2022.

 

"Larry is well known for his ability to lead and inspire," said Garth Wicinsky, SECURA President & CEO. "His broad-based thought leadership has done amazing things in our Claims Department, and will continue to help shape the future of SECURA."

 

Larry began his career at SECURA in 1997 as an IT programmer/analyst. He held progressive positions, including IT supervisor, IT director, workers’ compensation claims representative, workers’ compensation claims supervisor, claims project manager, casualty representative, litigation coordinator, and vice president – claims. Most recently he was promoted to Vice President and Chief Claims Officer in 2018.

 

Larry earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Insurance Data Manager (CIDM), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), and Associate in Claims (AIC) designations. He also earned a Master’s Certificate in project management from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Business.

SFM Releases 2021 Annual Review

Bloomington, MN (5/31/22) -  SFM recently released its 2021 annual review, which highlights SFM's 2021 accomplishments.

 

For SFM, 2021 represents a story of remarkable success. Our written premium soared to a new high of $212 million and we are now serving more customers than ever, following a record $30 million in new premium last year.

 

Other 2021 highlights include:

• Combined ratio of an exemplary 90%, which is a

  key measure of financial performance (and

  marks a tenth straight year under 100%)

• 96.6% policyholder retention rate, which

  demonstrates unsurpassed customer loyalty

• -4% pricing reduction, which means lower

  premiums for policyholders year over year

 

At SFM, our commitment to service drives our results – not the other way around. Always at the center of the target is our dedication to doing the next right thing – for policyholders, their employees, independent agents and the community around us.

Acuity Wins 2022 BBB Torch Award for Ethics

Sheboygan, WI (6/9/22) -  Acuity is named a 2022 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Award for Ethics Winner. A Torch Award is the most prestigious honor BBB presents to businesses that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to integrity and ethical practices.

 

“We are tremendously honored to be recognized by BBB with a Torch Award for Ethics and hope that our ethical business practices are an inspiration to others,” said Acuity President and CEO Ben Salzmann. “The BBB’s focus on ethics is vital for the world today. We all must kindle an even stronger focus on ethics to support all positive aspects of humanity. This focus must start at the community level, in daily life, and rise to a global inspiration. We can make a difference.”

 

Acuity’s selection as a winner from the BBB was based on an independent panel of judges comprised of business and community leaders who evaluated the insurer’s commitment to ethics across the areas of character, culture, customers, and community. Since 2003, BBB has honored businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes that meet the highest standard of ethics and trust among their employees, customers, and local communities, embodying BBB's mission to advance marketplace trust.

 

“This year, we had more applicants than in the past five years,” said Julie Albrecht, Executive Director of the BBB of Wisconsin Foundation. “These organizations should be immensely proud of their commitment to ethics in their day-to-day operations.”

 

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 125,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 30 states. Rated A+ by A.M. Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,500 people.

Society Insurance Donates $100,000 To St. Katharine Drexel Shelter

Society Insurance has pledged a $100,000 capital gift to the St. Katharine Drexel Shelter, a new resource serving people experiencing homelessness in the Fond du Lac area.

 

Society will make its gift in four annual payments of $25,000 from 2021 to 2024.

In recognition, the St. Katharine Drexel Shelter named its singles dining area the Society Insurance Dining Room.

 

The shelter, made possible by a partnership between St. Vincent de Paul of Fond du Lac County and Solutions Center, opened in May. This year-round facility offers food, lodging, clothing and basic necessities in a safe, stable environment. Inside the 20,000 square-foot building are bedroom, dining and common spaces for up to 15 families and 36 adult singles. Dedicated family and adult wings allow the shelter to serve those in need without separating families; children are able to stay in their home community and continue attending their school.

 

The shelter’s design reflects a community approach to reducing homelessness, which starts with short-term crisis intervention and progresses to long-term goal planning for self-sufficiency. Partnerships with more than one dozen local non-profit and government organizations and spaces devoted to employment advocacy, counseling and housing searches are key additional resources available to guests.

 

For more information regarding the St. Katharine Drexel Shelter or to donate, visit skdsfdl.org

Tags:  acuity  insuring Wisconsin  Members in the News  secura  SFM The Work Comp Experts  society insurance  wisconsin independent insurance association  wisconsin insurance agency help  wisconsin insurance blog 

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