Like many companies, Falvey Insurance Group moved to a work-from-home basis in response to the global pandemic. The changes required some flexibility and a willingness to learn, but overall helped the company continue to grow, collaborate, and produce quality work.
During this time, FIG has also hired four remote employees. Under the direction of Jack Falvey, COO, and Roxanne Nelson, VP of Human Resources, the team successfully created and implemented a virtual onboarding process to get their four newest hires up to speed.
A Change in Tactics
Typically, FIG’s onboarding process involves in-person shadowing to help new hires get acquainted with day-to-day operations. But as COO Jack Falvey explained, “FIG organized a remote ‘Onboarding Week’ to maximize interaction and introductions to all of the teams and provide the new hires with an in-depth introduction to Business Units, Department Processes, and System Development teams.” He continued, “This involved members from every business unit and department utilizing Zoom conferences to meet ‘face’ to ‘face’ and provide them with an introduction to their team, their interactions with Operations, and ideas for the future.”
The team took advantage of tools and technology like Zoom, UCx (an internal message and phone system), Microsoft Teams, and of course plenty of phone calls to help train and encourage collaboration.
“It was a pretty seamless process to switch from in-person to virtual onboarding as we have continued to focus on and invest in technology, which has helped this process be an easy transition for us,” said Roxanne, who helped with the onboarding process.
Eric Muenkel, Business Analyst, who oversaw the training, added, “In certain ways, it’s easier. We can stay on phone calls for a long time without worrying about bothering any neighbors. Additionally, we can just share screens instead of trying to all cram into a cubicle to look at a monitor.”
To help with the onboarding processes, the FIG team also sent the new hires a care package, which included their laptops, training materials, employee handbook, and even some Falvey welcome gifts.
As for the newest additions, Sha Thibadeau and Kevin Muenkel remotely joined the Operations team as business systems analysts. Logan Pearce joined as associate counsel of Protecht, while Michelle Leclaire is taking the position of claims associate. Sha, Kevin, and Logan all began the interviewing process prior to the pandemic, but Michelle’s hiring experience was entirely virtual.
Getting to Know Their Coworkers – Virtually
In terms of the onboarding experience, Sha said, “It has been a smooth process since I got my welcome package before my starting date, and Roxanne has been very helpful with questions and answers.” Sha has also enjoyed virtually meeting with new teammates, which has helped provide a better understanding of how all the pieces fit together at the company.
As for his experience, Kevin said, “I really liked the personal feel of being on live calls to hear about the company and products.” Logan agreed, remarking, “I especially like meeting with each line and learning about the products and services each offer, which I believe is important when working in an organization as dynamic as FIG.”
Although the pandemic has changed the way FIG currently operates, the team remains flexible and continues to adapt and adjust. Everyone has come together to develop new ways to learn, connect, collaborate, and train despite not yet being able to meet in person.
