It’s no secret that disengaged workers can negatively impact your organization. Research, especially studies conducted by Gallup, continues to show us that disengaged employees are less productive, are absent from work more often, and more likely to have workplace accidents than their engaged colleagues.

A key component of managing the employee experience is gathering employee feedback. To improve employee engagement, you must understand your starting point. Do your employees feel valued? What do they appreciate most? What areas can be improved?

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Greg Downes, Chairman Emeritus at Gibson. We hope you enjoy Greg’s wisdom and perspective.

Recently I’ve been thinking about some memorable advice from an old and dear friend of mine, former Indiana Governor and Lt. Governor, and former South Bend Mayor, Joseph E. Kernan. I have always looked up to and respected him for many reasons, not the least of which is his leadership. The advice came in May 1998, when Joe, then the Lt. Governor, delivered the Commencement Address at the University of Notre Dame. 

You completed a new workplace wellbeing initiative…now what?

As the initiative comes to an end, don’t just forget about it and move on. Use the experience as a guide to ensure that your next workplace wellbeing initiative is even more meaningful and effective.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Mike Cahill, President & CEO of Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana. We hope you enjoy Mike’s wisdom and perspective.

I was in a meeting the other day about a service my company had considered offering for a number of years. After about 10 minutes, I gave the go-ahead. One of our senior leaders mentioned they have been talking about this for a few years and had not made a decision, so why the need to move now on a decision?

My response, and one many of us should think about, is that putting off a decision is still making a decision. We must get some psychic boost from ‘putting off’ a decision versus deciding to not do anything. In the end, the results look the same. So why bring any of this up?

This country has had the same argument over health care for a long time.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Jeff Rea, President & CEO of the South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce. We hope you enjoy Jeff’s wisdom and perspective!

Harry Chapin was a great American singer-songwriter-story teller probably best known for his hit single “Cat’s in the Cradle.” I remember being introduced to Harry in 1970’s at the Joyce ACC on Notre Dame’s campus. I was so inspired by his stories that I rushed out and bought an 8-track tape of his Greatest Stories Live. Yes, I’m old, for you youngsters, that’s how we used to get our music! Harry died in 1981 at the age of 38 in a car accident.

Over the years, Harry’s music lived on and I amassed a collection of 8-tracks, cassette tapes, albums, and CDs that included both Harry’s music and many of his ramblings about “the meaning of life.”

Workers’ compensation claims can be costly. You know that. As a safety or human resources professional, you often have the daunting task of analyzing how workers’ compensation claims are impacting the company. If you don’t have the right tools and information, you are potentially missing key indicators.

Whether it’s a pocket watch passed down to you from your great-grandfather, an engraved necklace from your parents, or that perfect engagement ring your spouse spent months picking out, we all have possessions we value. Like anything valuable, our most treasured items deserve to be protected. One of the easiest ways to do just that is to make sure our cherished belongings are properly insured against loss, theft, damage, and the unexpected.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Kristen Strom, Executive Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County. We hope you enjoy Kristen’s wisdom and perspective!

With the Boys & Girls Club recently moving through a period of transition, I’ve taken some time to reflect a bit on my leadership journey. In the short time I’ve been in the Executive Director role, my leadership acumen has been tested more times than I can count. However, each challenge or hurdle has come with a significant opportunity to learn and grow.

One of the leadership areas where I have seen personal growth is with the decision-making process.

Mark Wobbe, Principal at Gibson, shares his insight on what 2017 may bring for the property & casualty market. 

Where is today’s property & casualty (P&C) market and where is it headed in 2017?

Gibson’s Wes Mantooth, Principal and Consultant in the Employee Benefits Practice, shares his insight on what 2017 may bring for the world of health care.

The elephant in the room, no pun intended, remains the impact of the new presidential administration. Anything said to be more than speculation is just that…more speculation. As of the time this outlook went to press, there was nothing concrete about the adjustments, if any, that will be made to health care reform. However, one thing does remain constant…whether the ACA stays or whether it goes, it will continue to cause disruption among consumers, employers, and the health care industry.