MAY - 2023HR TECH OUTLOOK8In MyOpinionCathy Desquesses, Group Chief Human Resources Officer & Head Corporate Services, Swiss ReByWith post-pandemic labour markets tight, companies are facing new challenges in recruiting talented employees. The re/insurance industry's purpose ­ shouldering a myriad of complex risks to help bolster societal resilience ­ can give us an edge. But we can't rest on our laurels.After joining Swiss Re mid-pandemic in 2021, I was especially pleased to meet with representatives of our largest international clients at a recent conference at the Swiss Re Centre for Global Dialogue near Zurich. Speaking face-to-face with our industry partners ­ finally -- was an important reminder of how far we have come since the COVID-19 crisis began.As we discussed the dynamics of attracting future talent to the (re)insurance industry as workplace expectations evolve, these exchanges reminded me that Swiss Re and our clients face some common challenges in attracting, engaging, and developing talented people in a post-pandemic world. Fortunately, our industry has something to offer employees that helps make us an attractive spot to land: A real sense of purpose.A mission of resilienceSwiss Re's inspiring mission ­ making the world more resilient ­ fuels this aspiration. From our Life & Health division's support of families impacted by COVID-19 to Property and Casualty (P&C) products that absorb shocks and help people and companies recover from natural and man-made catastrophes; our purpose is at the centre of what we do every day. Moreover, values such as environmental sustainability and stewardship are playing an ever-larger role in employee loyalty and satisfaction. From our oil and gas policy to our leadership in the UN-convened Net-Zero Insurance Alliance, Swiss Re is committed to our journey to net-zero. As we recruit and integrate new talent, these commitments are central to ensuring that our people find meaning and passion. Every employee should be able to say: "I'm doing work that matters, and I'm part of something great."Building company culture in a flexible worldAs I spoke with our clients, you can imagine how pleased I was when one described Swiss Re as comparable to joining a premier league football team ­ a team where the best players dream of playing". The comment filled me with a sense of responsibility, too, because I want us to remain worthy of that comparison. That's why it's so important for companies like Swiss Re to not grow complacent. We must work tirelessly to instil the sense of purpose embedded in our corporate culture in our employees ­ those who have been with the company for decades, and those who joined last week. I'll be the first to admit that this is a process that has changed, and in some ways grown more challenging. For instance, flexible work models have become a fact of life. Swiss Re has been at the forefront of work flexibility, having launched our "Own The Way You Work" programme more than a half decade ago. But the pandemic pushed this kind of flexibility to the front of the agenda. Like our clients, we've observed that the remote collaboration environment often more strongly affects people who are relatively new to Swiss Re than long-time A SENSE OF PURPOSE CAN GIVE US AN EDGE IN THE COMPETITION FOR TALENTCathy Desquesses
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