Nationwide announces permanent shift in workplace, announcing majority of workers will follow a WFH strategy
While Nationwide does not have a huge presence in Massachusetts, the latest announcement is something that every insurer that does business both inside and outside of Massachusetts may want to note of. In an April 29, 2020 press release, the Columbus-based insurer and 10th largest P&C Insurer in the nation announced that it will be transitioning permanently to a hybrid operating model. This new model hybrid operating model will consist of four main work-from-office campuses across the country, with the remaining majority of its workforce operating as work-from-home.
“We’ve been investing in our technological capabilities for years, and those investments really paid off when we needed to transition quickly to a 98 percent work-from-home model,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “Our associates and our technology team have proven to us that we can serve our members and partners with extraordinary care with a large portion of our team working from home.”
As a result of that investment, Nationwide says it was able to swiftly move to a work-from-home posture in mid-March and to preserve associate health and well-being and with the intent of flattening the COVID-19 curve. The company says it also has been able to maintain strong operational and customer service levels throughout that time.
Nationwide will reduce down to four-main campus locations including its central Ohio headquarters
The four main campus locations will include central Ohio (including downtown Columbus and Grandview Yard); Des Moines, Iowa; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and San Antonio, Texas. These locations were selected based on:
- A current large concentration of associates;
- Flexibility to serve members across time zones;
- And, ongoing access to associate talent and subject matter expertise that will enable continued success.
“Our goal is to ensure that when a recovery comes, we’re prepared to win business with competitively priced solutions while enhancing our resiliency and operational efficiency,” continued Walker. “We’re technology-enabled, people-connected and mission-driven. I remain extremely optimistic about our future.”
It will be eliminating an additional five office locations
As a result of the consolidation, Nationwide, says it plans to exit most buildings outside of the four designated campuses by November 1, 2020. Associates that are currently operating out of these locations will be moved to permanent remote-working status. These locations include:
- Gainesville, Fla.
- Harleysville, Penn.
- Raleigh, N.C.
- Wausau, Wis.
- Richmond, Va.
Additional exceptions to the new operating model
It also should be noted that there are a few exceptions to Nationwide’s new hybrid operating model. Nationwide Pet’s business operations in Brea, Calif., Nationwide’s New York City office, where the company’s management liability and specialty business is based, as well as Nationwide’s annuity distribution facility in Louisville, Ky will continue to operate from their existing locations. In addition, the insurer says smaller offices and locations that are required by state plans or business need to have an office location to service members will remain.
The company will continue to finalize its new operating model over the next several months, which will include addressing technology and equipment needs, support mechanisms, and telework agreements.
