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Month: November 2021

16 Personality Types in the Workplace

Monday, 29 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
By Michelle Farmer, Senior Account Specialist (Property & Casualty)

In the business world (and life) there are so many different personality types we encounter. Understanding those personality types can be the beginning of a successful and collaborative workplace.  Based on the Myers-Briggs personality assessment, there are 16 personality types that workplace leaders should identify and build emotionally intelligent relationships around. This all starts with having a better understanding of those various types of personalities and how their tendencies can affect working relationships and productivity.

This list is based on material borrowed from the author, Tiffany Bloodworth Rivers, who used the TV show, The Office, as her example of each personality type in her own article on iOffice (which I thought was brilliant).

ANALYST PERSONALITY TYPES:

Analysts are just that, logically well suited to digging through fact and fiction and figuring out how to improve a situation.  Great puzzlers, Gamers and problem solvers so they are good at helping to create a better way of operating.

  1. The Architect – Problem Solver
  • Fiercely independent
  • Likes a stimulating challenge
  • Can seem arrogant
  • Judgmental at times
  1. Logician – Abstract Thinker
  • Technical
  • Like to be intellectually stimulated
  • May miss emotional or social cues
  • Like guidance not rules
  1. Commander – Natural Leaders
  • Strong willed/firm
  • Can be stubborn, ruthless, and impatient
  • Are known for accomplishing their goals no matter the cost
  1. The Debater – Devil’s Advocate
  • Energetic
  • Quick thinker
  • Can be argumentative
  • Easily bored
  • Need a flexible environment

 

DIPLOMAT PERSONALITY TYPES:

Diplomat personality types are compassionate connectors, contributors and collaborators of the Workplace.  Often their compassion, leaves them feeling discouraged or feeling afraid. They have a humanistic approach to dealing with co-workers and life.

  1. The Advocate –  A very Rare breed. Difficult to get to know.
  • Reserved
  • Although loyal
  • Determined
  • Motivated by the pursuit of perfection
  • Restless & easily frustrated
  • MUST respect their privacy
  1. The Mediator – Creative (Artists)
  • Intuitive
  • Idealistic
  • Gravitate toward careers where they can be creative
  • Do NOT like dead-lines
  • Need purpose in their work
  1. The Campaigner – Socializer/Brightens the day
  • Loves people
  • Can talk your ear off
  • Needs help focusing
  • Happiest when working with people
  1. The Protagonist – The Cheerleader
  • Lifts others up
  • Prefer a harmonic workplace
  • Great at rallying large groups to join a cause

 

SENTINEL PERSONALITY TYPES:

Sentinels are creatures of habit, they love routine and may feel a sense of duty to help others during difficult times, such as COVID or major deadlines.  Sentinels can be trusted to complete tasks through to the end in an orderly and dependable fashion.  They can bring a sense of structure and stability to an office.

  1. The Logistician – Master of Order
  • Cannot Stand missing deadlines
  • They Imbue dependability and personal integrity
  • Expect follow through from others
  1. The Defender – Passionately Defend Others/Self
  • Loyal
  • Supportive
  • Often reluctant to change
  • Motivated by a strong sense of duty to others
  • Rarely ask for help, so asking if you can help them may go a long way
  1. The Executive – Rule Keeper
  • A Law and order type
  • Honest
  • Hard work above all else
  • Detest laziness/cheating
  • Want to advance constantly in their career
  1. The Consul – Sensitive/Helper
  • Spreads cheerfulness
  • Positive energy
  • Love helping and spending time with others
  • Can be very sensitive (not comfortable with their own sensitivity)
  • Do not take criticism or rejection well
  • You can acknowledge their achievements to help them feel more confident

 

EXPLORER PERSONALITY TYPES:

Explorer personality types can be bold, hands-on, and enthusiastic.  They go with the flow, naturally flexible and great in a crisis. They have traits and tools that help others adapt in stressful times.  They thrive in exciting times, so they need to avoid distraction.

  1. The Virtuoso – Spontaneous Risk-Takers
  • Mysterious
  • Not know for commitment
  • Risqué sense of humor
  • Like lists
  • Take on tasks with enthusiasm, as long as list of duties are clearly defined
  1. The Adventurer – The Charmer
  • Often Unpredictable
  • Not great at Planning the future
  • Although very charitable
  • Selfless
  • The spontaneous nature of these personalities can be important for special “missions”
  1. The Entertainer – Social Butterfly
  • Crave the spotlight
  • Charismatic
  • Great at Sales
  • Hospitable
  • People Oriented
  • Can get easily bored or Lose focus quickly if left to their own devices
  • LOVE TO LAUGH
  1. The Entrepreneur – The Risk Taker/Rebel
  • Plunge headfirst into new opportunities without thinking it through
  • Thrive in social settings
  • Love new learning opportunities
  • Often feel stifled in corporate environments
  • Rules are made to be broken
  • You can get them excited about new systems and products they love it.

 

Throughout my own career I have learned that working with so many different types of personalities is part of what makes life so interesting. It is what makes our workplace run so efficiently, as each person on our team has a specific function that helps us reach our goals and embrace new visions and opportunities.

I believe the more you can recognize a personality type, the more you can help someone feel like they are a part of a team.  You can help them find their place by gently, or sometimes not so gently depending on their personality type, push them in the right direction. Thus, our communication becomes so much better, and we continue to grow in our understanding of our beautiful home away from home.

Check out Tiffany Bloodworth Rivers’ own article at: https://www.iofficecorp.com/blog/workplace-personality-types

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Breaking News – OSHA Suspends Implementation and Enforcement of Vaccine and Testing Mandates

Wednesday, 24 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
Announcement by the RISQ Consulting Team 

On November 16, 2021, OSHA published an announcement stating that they are unable to implement or enforce the vaccine and testing mandates for private employers that were set to begin in early December and early January.

The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ordered that OSHA pause the implementation and enforcement of the Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) until future court order, due to pending litigation. Several legal issues have been raised in response to OSHA’s ETS that required private employers with more than 100 employees to require employees to receive COVID-19 vaccines or be tested weekly for COVID-19.

The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit was selected through a lottery process to review the ETS arguments, which is the next step.

At this point, employers should continue to monitor the OSHA ETS updates for any status changes.  Employers are encouraged to understand the requirements of the ETS, should the case last through the legal challenges and quick implementation be required.

Special Note for Federal Contractors and Healthcare Entities: The suspension of the implementation and enforcement of the vaccine mandate is specific to OSHA’s mandate for private employers with more than 100 employees.  The vaccine requirement for Federal Contractors is not affected by the block of the ETS. The vaccine requirement from CMS for staff at health care facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs is not affected by the block of the ETS.

Links to Additional Reading:

SHRM: 6th Circuit to Review OSHA’s Workplace Vaccine-or-Testing Rule
SHRM: Federal Contractor Employees Must Be ‘Fully Vaccinated’ by Jan. 18, 2022
National Law Review: What Healthcare Employers Need to Know About the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Vaccine Mandate
National Law Review: Fate of OSHA’s COVID-19 Vaccine ETS in the Hands of Sixth Circuit Court

RISQ Consulting will continue to monitor the situation and legal challenges, sending updates as new relevant information becomes available.

Click HERE to view the News Brief.

If you have any questions about how the OSHA ETS may apply to your company, or any other questions about COVID-19, please contact your RISQ Consulting Account Executive or Account Manager.

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Have your Cheesecake, and Be Thankful You Can Eat It Too!

Monday, 22 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
By Taylor Brouillet-Stock, Account Specialist

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays as it is a time to hang out with loved ones and to reflect on what we are thankful for. Another great aspect of this holiday is the food! One of my favorite things to eat at Thanksgiving is a pecan cheesecake that my mom always makes. If you’re looking for a tasty dessert to add to your Thanksgiving spread, take a look at the recipe down below! Happy baking!

 

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 3/4 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted

Pecan Filling

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup dark corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans chopped
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cheesecake Filling

  • 24 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2/3 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping

  • 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup toasted pecan chopped

Instructions

Crust

  1. Line the bottom of 9 inch springform pan with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and brown sugar, stir in melted butter, then press the mixture evenly into bottom and halfway up the side of 9 inch springform pan. Set in the fridge to firm the crust while making the filling.

Pecan Filling

  1. In a medium saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, melted butter, eggs, pecans and vanilla and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer stirring constantly until thickened, 5-7 minutes. Pour into prepared crust and set aside.

Cheesecake Filling

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Beat the cream cheese until creamy, then add brown sugar and flour and beat until fluffy.
  3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. Do not overbeat it!!! Stir in heavy cream and vanilla, then pour cheesecake mixture over pecan filling.
  4. Place springform pan on a cookie sheet, put it in the oven and reduce the heat to 325 F Bake the cake for 60-70 minutes (until toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean). Turn off the oven and leave cheesecake in with oven door closed for 1 hour.
  5. Run a knife around edges of cheesecake but don’t take out of the pan until completely cooled.

Topping

  1. In a small saucepan combine butter and brown sugar. Cook for 3-5 min or until very bubbly, then stir in cinnamon, heavy whipping cream and chopped pecans. Cool to room temperature.
  2. Release the sides of springform pan and spoon the topping over cooled cheesecake.
  3. Store the cake in the fridge.
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Hearing Protection: How Loud Is Too Loud?

Friday, 19 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.

According to the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, around 46% of all manufacturing workers have been exposed to hazardous noise at some point during their employment. Things like rotors, power tools, stators, gears, fans, impact processes and electrical machinery can all generate significant levels of noise, which, in turn, can negatively impact your hearing.

Prolonged exposure to excessive noise is particularly dangerous and can lead to tinnitus, which is characterized by ringing, buzzing and roaring in the ears. In some cases, harmful levels of noise can lead to permanent hearing loss.

To keep employees safe, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has specific regulations related to workplace noise exposure. This flyer provides a general overview of these regulations and ways you can stay safe on the job.

OSHA’s Noise Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Noise is measured in units of sound pressure levels called decibels (dB). Often, decibels are expressed as dBA, which refers to A-weighted sound levels. Essentially, this measurement is more specific than dB alone, as it accounts for relative loudness perceived by the human ear.

There are two specific noise measurements to keep in mind when it comes to hearing protection and workplace safety—the action level and permissible exposure limit (PEL):

  1. Action level—For noise, OSHA’s action level is 85 dBA averaged over an eight-hour workday. When workplace noise reaches this level, employers are required to implement a hearing conservation program and offer hearing protection.
  2. PEL—Per OSHA, the PEL for noise is 90 dBA over an eight-hour workday. At this level, employees are required to wear hearing protection. In addition, for every 5 dBA above the action level, the duration of employee exposure to noise must be cut in half (e.g., 85 dBA/eight hours, 90 dBA/four hours, 95 dBA/two hours). Furthermore, exposure to noise should not exceed 140 dBA.

Protecting Yourself From Harmful Noise

Tinnitus and hearing loss can be debilitating and irreversible. However, being aware of the symptoms of hearing loss can go a long way toward ensuring your health and safety at work. Common symptoms of hearing loss include the following:

  • Straining to understand conversations
  • Needing to have things repeated frequently
  • Increasing television or radio volumes to excessive levels
  • Ringing in your ears or feeling dizzy

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your doctor and supervisor. To further protect yourself in the workplace, it’s important to be aware of adverse noise levels that can lead hearing loss, and follow all relevant workplace safety policies and procedures.

For questions regarding workplace noise and safety, speak with your supervisor.

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The Top 5 Attributes Every Employer Should be Fostering

Tuesday, 16 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
By Andrew Kupperman, Employer Services and Workforce Technology Consultant

Within just the last year, much has changed relative to the way organizations operate. I feel the most impactful change, which may be felt as a more lasting impression, is the way organizations recruit and retain employees. Some say we’re going through a revolution in the workplace. They liken what’s happening to The Great Depression by calling it the “Great Resignation”.

While these analogies do hit home relative to the sentiments of our times, I’d like to use my own metaphor. What we’re experiencing right now is a Perfect Storm. We have:

An ongoing pandemic. This has forced many business models to shift structure to accommodate remote work, now and in the future.

A shift in generational worker mindset. This has caused a shift in organizational values away from prioritizing the bottom line and towards providing flexibility, meaning, and value to the clients, employees, and community that an organization serves.

A transformation in compensation mindset. This is forcing organizations to consider their strategy and practices related to pay equity, pay equality, and pay gaps.

How organizations alter course relative to this Perfect Storm can determine if they sink or swim. Below are some of the employee attributes I believe are best suited to weather the storm and help an organization find calmer seas.

 

Adaptability

The changes we’ve faced over the last almost 2 years have forced many into personal and professional changes they weren’t ready for nor were they expecting. Those who are riding out this big wave of change are doing so mainly because they’ve kept open minds about change, found effective coping mechanisms, and remembered that change is the only thing that’s constant.

Having adaptability attributes will only put an organization in a better position to tackle future change, which is inevitable. Employees who can easily adapt can also help those who are change adverse understand and jump the “what’s in it for me” hurdle, which seems to be a constant barrier for those who don’t react well to having change forced upon them.

 

Innovation

As we seem to be in a flux of constant change, organizations that are rising to the top are not just those that are weathering the storm – they are riding those tall waves to new heights. Love him or hate him, Elon Musk has just successfully sent civilians to space through his SpaceX program. Being a billionaire has its perks, though Mr. Musk probably doesn’t achieve this feat without some of the most innovative talent on his team.

 Having employees who want to help create something new and can think out-of-the-box to get there (even in the middle of a perfect storm), can only help organizations develop innovative products and services that provide new value to who they serve.

 

Emotional Intelligence

We’ve all been through a lot over the last 2 years. Having employees who can be sympathetic and empathetic to other’s plights, can help other employees feel cared for and supported through times of need. You’d hope most organizations practice this throughout their various hierarchies, but many businesses have faced difficult decisions recently. Having the attribute of emotional intelligence widely spread within an organization can only help those facing turmoil, be able to feel supported enough to get through it. If your organization as a whole is able to do this, it’s leaving lasting positive impressions for that employee.

 

Accountability and Clarity

These attributes may be tough for many organizations to identify because they might not have built a great structure to help keep employees accountable in the first place. Focusing on these attributes and identifying who (whether in or outside of an organization) consistently sets clear expectations of themselves based on organizational needs, and then holds themselves to these expectations is a huge blessing. These individuals need to become example setters within any organization, especially in times of disruption and change.

 Many employees might question that the organization owns the role to set expectations and keep employee accountable, so organizations need to consider a thoughtful way to approach the fact that these are highly valued attributes, and how to properly encourage and recognize positive outcomes when employees display creating clarity and accountability.

 

Valuing Own Needs

This is no longer your grandad’s workplace environment. The shift in what’s valued when someone chooses to work with an organization has changed. Organizations that don’t pivot based on this shift will become obsolete because eventually they won’t be able to find employees who want to work for them. Finding employees who understand and can communicate what they value is a key component to the shift we’ve seen. Organizations can’t identify what their employees’ value in a vacuum. Employees must be able to communicate their needs.

 Whether it’s flexibility, community and social awareness, or work-life balance, employees who can clearly express these values and hold themselves and the organization accountable (see prior attribute) when these values are being abused, can only help themselves as well as the organization in meeting these values. I feel the need to ask, would you rather work with someone who can stand up for their values or someone who’d let you walk all over them?

 

Finding and fostering these attributes may be different than how your organization recruits new employees, or even considers what attributes currently exist across employees. But being able to identify them, and more importantly, encourage them to be used, may just be the ticket to getting to those calmer seas. Happy sailing!

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Make Me a Sandwich!

Thursday, 11 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
By Jennifer Outcelt, Creative Content Architect

The old “Make me a sandwich!” demand is often associated with a ne’er-do-well man demanding immediate sustenance from their submissive partner from the comfort of their couch. Normally I wouldn’t have a syllables worth of agreement with the ideals of these entitled individuals… but I have to admit, there just might be something to this whole sandwich thing.

Hear me out. What was the best sandwich you ever tasted? Did you make it? I think not! Unless you are some master Chef with the hoity-toitiest of sandwich recipes, I highly doubt a bread-meat-bread combo of your own design was responsible for your most memorable taste bud explosion.

Why is this? We want to be self-sufficient adults, able to make our own meals, but why does it taste so much darn better when someone else makes you that sandwich? Well don’t feel bad.

It’s science, baby!

In the last few years there has been research done to figure out why food is more delicious when others make it for you (apparently there was nothing more important to study). It has to do with the phycological concept of “pre-consumption”.

When making a sandwich, you are seeing all the ingredients, smelling the savory ham and tangy Dijon, and touching the spongy sourdough texture. All this stimulus constructs a sort of “mental sandwich” that you have already started to consume, telling your brain that you’ve been eating this sandwich the whole time you were making it. So, when you sit down to actually engage your teeth for mastication, it’s less satisfying because you’ve ruined your apatite on that darn “mental sandwich”!

When SOMEONE ELSE makes that sandwich for you, they are the ones eating that “mental sandwich”, not you. So when the sandwich conveniently appears before you, it’s a fresh, new, vibrant, and satisfying experience.

Just extrapolate the whole sandwich concept to the entirety of know cuisine. All things being equal, anything made for you will somehow taste better. And which the holidays right around the corner, aren’t you excited to eat all that food you didn’t make?

Check out this cool article that explores these concepts and offers tips to enhance your own cooking, just in case you don’t have a personal chef at your beck and call.

https://betterfood.co/why-does-food-taste-better-when-someone-else-makes-it/

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Let’s Talk Music

Tuesday, 09 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
By Taylor Brouillet-Stock, Account Specialist

Let’s talk music.

Have you been feeling sad lately? There’s a song for that. Happy? There’s a song for that. How about stressed? You guessed it, there’s a song for that! Music is so interesting to me because I feel that there is a genre, artist, or song out there for everyone. Although music has such a wide range and can be very different depending on what the genre is or who wrote the song, I truly believe that music is a way to connect everyone as most people tend to love music. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know too many people that just flat out don’t like any music.

I personally listen to music every day. You can find me jamming out and singing (very offkey) to music while I’m getting ready, driving, working, cleaning, working out, or just chilling. You name the time of day and I’m most likely listening to some type of music.

I think that listening to music has had a positive impact on my life as it usually cheers me up and puts me in a better mood (depending on the song of course). If I’m ever feeling down or stressed, I just turn on my music and it instantly takes my mind off what I may be going through and helps me realize that every little thing is gonna be alright. 😉

Even though I tend to lean towards more happy, upbeat songs, I feel that sad songs can be important too. These types of songs usually have a way of putting what I’m feeling into words, which can be really helpful during sad or stressful times as it reminds me that I’m not in this thing called life alone. These songs also serve as a helpful reminder that other people have been through similar situations that I might be facing.

You may be thinking, why do I care that this girl listens to music? So what? Well, in addition to the benefits that I get from listening to music, turns out there are health benefits too! Extensive research has gone into the health benefits of listening to music which include:

  • Reduces anxiety, blood pressure, and pain
  • Improves sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory
  • Is overall a great exercise for your brain

In my opinion, turning on some music and singing along seems like the easiest and most fun type of workout. Also, life is hard sometimes and if music can be a helpful tool to navigate these stressful times, then I’m happy to share the benefits with anyone who’s willing to listen!

 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music

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Reducing Auto Claims for Businesses

Thursday, 04 November 2021 by RISQ Consulting
This article is from RISQ Consulting’s Zywave client portal, a resource available to all RISQ Consulting clients. Please contact your Benefits Consultant or Account Executive for more information or for help setting up your own login.

Vehicle-related crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths. In addition to the potential for loss of life, work-related automobile accidents expose businesses to liability risks, legal expenses, lost time, decreased productivity, and increased insurance and workers’ compensation rates.

Whether your business leases a single passenger car or owns an entire fleet of commercial vehicles, auto liabilities must be monitored in order to try to prevent these ramifications.

Businesses can actively manage auto risks by setting driver qualifications, creating driving rules, and implementing driver training. Review the following guidance to learn more about how to reduce auto claims for your business.

Set Driver Qualifications

Setting and keeping standards for drivers can greatly reduce the risk of auto accidents. Review motor vehicle records (MVRs) for all new employees; review them annually for every driver. MVRs contain important historical driving information on an individual’s moving violations, driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenses, vehicular crimes and other types of point accumulations. Work with your risk management professionals to determine appropriate standards for your business. Some qualifications to consider are:

  • No serious driving violations—In the past three years, drivers should not have any recorded DUIs, hit-and-runs, incidents of reckless or negligent driving, driving with a suspended license or driving 15 mph over the speed limit.
  • Fewer than three moving violations—In the past three years, drivers should have fewer than three incidents of speeding, changing lanes improperly, running red lights or failing to yield.
  • Fewer than two at-fault accidents—In the past three years, drivers should have no more than one at-fault accident. At-fault accidents include any incident where the driver is cited with a violation, negligently contributes to the accident, or is involved in a single-vehicle accident.

Mandate Seat Belt Usage

Motor vehicle-related injuries are twice as costly as other work-related injuries, averaging $72,500 per injury claim. Fortunately, wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of injury or death by 50%. Create a successful seat belt policy by:

  • Assigning a high-level manager to support the enforcement of a comprehensive driver safety program
  • Using on-the-spot surveys, motor vehicle monitoring, collision reports and company training sessions to ensure drivers comply with company policy
  • Asking employees to sign a pledge saying they will wear seat belts

Minimize Distractions for Drivers

Crash risks are two to six times higher when a driver is texting or manipulating a cellphone, according to recent studies. Even talking on a cellphone is a cognitive distraction that may pull a driver’s focus from the road. Eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, talking to vehicle passengers and checking the GPS also cause significant distractions. To avoid these:

  • Consider banning all cellphone use, even if it’s legal in your state or if a hands-free headset is used.
  • Try voice-controlled devices, such as GPS, which will allow drivers to keep more of their focus on the road.
  • Consider policies to limit the number of passengers allowed in a vehicle during work hours.

Utilize Technology

The use of modern telematics allows businesses to analyze fleet data, make informed decisions and increase productivity while cutting costs. Ways to utilize technology include:

  • Using telematics—In-vehicle telematics allow fleet managers to watch their drivers for risky behaviors in real-time. Monitored behaviors include speeding, hard braking, hitting the gas and not wearing a seatbelt.
  • Using dash cams—Dashboard cameras, often referred to as dash cams, can be used to monitor drivers, promote safe driving practices, and reduce liability if an accident occurs.
    • Before adding dashcams to your fleet, review state-specific laws on privacy concerns related to videotaping your drivers and the public.

Prevent Theft

Not only can motor vehicle theft cause costly business delays, but if you or an employee is in the car during the attempted theft, the result can also be dangerous or even fatal. Although vehicle theft is covered under comprehensive car insurance policies, preventing theft is the best way to avoid dangerous situations or expensive delays. To minimize the risk of theft:

  • Keep doors locked and windows shut. This applies any time you are away from the vehicle.
  • Hide valuables. Keep your wallet, purse, phone, and other valuables hidden to reduce a thief’s incentive to break into your vehicle.
  • Park in secure, high-traffic areas. Park near guard booths or store entrances if parking in a public garage. Keeping your car in a locked garage at home is the safest option.
  • Use anti-theft devices. Use steering wheel locks or gearshift column locks to make theft more difficult. Most new vehicles have tracking devices, but these devices can also be purchased for older cars.
  • Exploit your vehicle identification number (VIN). VINs are used by law enforcement agencies to identify stolen cars. Paint the VIN under the hood, under the trunk and on the engine to make it more difficult for thieves to sell parts of your car.

Train Drivers

Drivers can be a significant source of liability behind the wheel. By implementing regular trainings, fleet leaders can build trust with their drivers and reduce the risk of accidents. Some topics to cover include:

Intoxicants—Drinking alcohol impairs a driver’s reaction time, steering responsiveness and lane control. Educate drivers on the dangers of driving while intoxicated and monitor their driving for signs of intoxication.

Defensive driving—Significant anger, aggression or road rage behind the wheel was expressed by 80% of drivers in a recent survey. Aggressive behaviors include speeding, tailgating, blocking cars from passing or changing lanes and “punishing” other drivers with brakes or headlights. Train drivers to:

  • Maintain an adequate following distance
  • Use turn signals
  • Allow others to merge
  • Use high beams responsibly

Drowsy driving—A 2017 census estimated there were 91,000 police-reported crashes caused by drowsy driving. These crashes occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m and often involve a single driver with no passengers. To avoid drowsy driving:

  • Get a proper night’s sleep.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol before driving.
  • Check prescription or over-the-counter drugs to see if they could cause drowsiness.
  • Pull over for a 20-minute nap if you feel drowsy.

Seasonal hazards—Be aware of changing seasonal hazards. On a similar note, drivers not accustomed to particular weather patterns may need additional training. For example, a driver who isn’t familiar with cooler climates may not be used to driving on ice. Below are a few items drivers should be mindful of in each season:

  • Summer—Warm weather leads to an increased number of walkers and cyclists. Look for pedestrians and cyclists everywhere, especially in low-visibility conditions.
  • Fall—Back-to-school season means more children on the road. Never pass a stopped school bus with red flashing lights.
    • Fall also means a return to deer season. Avoid collisions with deer by staying alert, using high beams and wearing your seatbelt.
  • Winter—With snow and ice on the ground, it’s important to drive slowly, accelerate and decelerate slowly, and increase the distance between yourself and other vehicles. When there are snowplows on the road, remember the road in front of them is usually worse than the road behind them. Pass with lots of room and keep your headlights on.
  • Spring—The changing season means a return to roadwork construction. Stay focused and patient when driving in work zones. Be mindful of the reduced speed limit and remain alert.

Report an Accident

If an accident does occur, a great deal can be done to contain costs and minimize business interruption losses. Good reporting and proper procedures can help minimize the business costs. In the event of an accident:

  • Pull your vehicle to the side of the road.
  • Assess injuries.
  • Don’t leave the scene of the accident.
  • Collect as much information as possible.
  • Alert the police or highway control.
  • Begin the claims process with your insurer.

Purchasing the right auto insurance policy, keeping the proper documents in your vehicle, and ensuring your vehicle is emergency-ready with traffic cones and flares can be helpful if an accident does occur.

For more risk management guidance, contact your broker today.

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