This year’s Insurance News Wellbeing Survey once again indicated tough workloads, challenging customer interactions and high burnout rates.

There was feedback suggesting a stigma around mental wellbeing persists, and of the “vicarious trauma” absorbed by insurance workers.

We heard 44% of respondents have endured mental health issues in the past year, and about one-third sought professional help.

A supportive manager was named the single most positive contributor to mental wellbeing at work.

And many respondents to the survey – which was sponsored by Allianz – took the time to recommend industry improvements.

A WA risk manager said: “If I could change one thing, it would be greater investment in people – mentorship, internships and graduate pathways, adequate staffing levels to reduce workload pressures, and flexible arrangements that support work-life balance.

“This would help address the loss of industry knowledge as experienced professionals retire, and create a more sustainable and capable workforce for the future.”

And an underwriter in NSW says the industry “could do more and earlier to attract talent through genuine educational pathways.

“We need to stop treating insurance jobs like the career that people simply fell into. It makes it look like all those at a career loss somewhat found the easy way out. It lacks credit to what is actually a critical industry.”

She recommends partnering with universities to offer insurance as an elective, and start education in high school, “so people can stop saying they fell into insurance but rather get curious about this vital part of the financial services sector and want to join in early. 

“Being an insurance professional is an honourable profession.”

See more survey feedback in ANALYSIS.