Here’s a look at how some major Des Moines employers are handling the ongoing return to offices.
EMC Insurance Companies
EMC Insurance, with about 1,100 central Iowa employees, offers a range of employee flexibility ranging from full time in the office to full-time work from home. It also offers hybrid schedules.
“Schedules vary depending on the team member, their preferences and the requirements of their position,” said Sarah Buckley, assistant vice president of corporate communications and community involvement.
EMC has adjusted its workspaces to accommodate changes in working arrangements, including the addition of more “hoteling” and collaborative spaces for team members, Buckley said.
Nationwide Insurance Co.
Nationwide Insurance has about 10% of its 3,000 Des Moines workers in the office, 40% on a hybrid schedule and half working from home.
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“With the state of the workforce today and knowing that we can still be successful with more associates working from home, we have embraced flexibility at Nationwide and give leaders and associates the ability to choose the right mix of days in the office and from home that works best,” said Ryan Ankrom, director of public relations.
“The goal is to create a world-class working environment that fosters collaboration, makes everyone feel valued whether in the office or remote, perpetuates Nationwide’s caring culture and empowers our people to do their best work. In creating an effective hybrid work model, the physical space must accommodate every associate ― whether working from home or remote,” Ankrom said.
Principal Financial Group
Principal announced in August that its employees within a 30-mile radius will return to the office three days a week in November.
The announcement applies to employees at the Des Moines and Charlotte, North Carolina, campuses. Principal employs about 6,500 workers in Des Moines.
Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield
With approximately 1,600 employees, Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has a hybrid model. Employees are allowed to work two days remotely and three in the office each week.
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“Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield has taken a data-driven approach to our return to office following the pandemic with the needs of our members, and employee engagement and feedback, at the core of our decision making,” said Marci Chickering, executive vice president and chief human resources officer.
Chickering said September marked the anniversary of Wellmark’s current hybrid model, adding that employee feedback indicated three core days in the office were needed for in-office collaboration.
“To ensure our employees can best support our members in a hybrid work environment, Wellmark has reimagined our physical and technical workspaces,” Chickering said.
“I’m also proud to report that by ensuring we sought employee feedback and leveraging engagement data, our employee engagement scores also remained very positive throughout the pandemic and continue to be strong.”
Wells Fargo
In January, Wells Fargo, with about 11,000 employees in central Iowa, announced that it would move most of its downtown Des Moines employees to its West Des Moines campus on South Jordan Creek Parkway.
Wells Fargo uses a “hybrid flexible model” in scheduling its employees. Some work three days a week in the office and two days remote, and others work a week at a time in the office and then a week at a time remote, said Michael J. Slusark, a spokesman for the bank.
Source: desmoinesregister.com
