Image credit: Huw Lambert
QBE has welcomed June with a new place to call its home in the Sydney central business district, and here the major insurance group lifts the lid on the relocation and shares the lessons it has brought from 2020 into the new premises at 388 George Street.
Speaking with Insurance Business, a spokesperson for QBE said the move “brings together our people from group head office and our Australia Pacific division into the one Sydney CBD head office.” The goal is to simplify QBE’s operations, improve collaboration and efficiency, and contribute to the insurer’s longer-term sustainability goals by reducing operational emissions.
“QBE undertook a comprehensive review of the ways of working in developing its future workplace strategy through survey analysis, observational studies, interviews, and workshops,” noted the company representative, who highlighted that the strategy commenced “well before” last year’s events but that the pandemic enabled the pivot to the new working environment.
Image credit: Huw Lambert
The spokesperson said: “A flexible approach to ways of working and an ability to work agile has been a key learning from 2020. Our new activity-based workplace supports our hybrid working environment with modern, state-of-the-art technology making it easy to connect and collaborate with colleagues both in person and virtually.”
It’s not clear how much of QBE’s roster is currently working flexibly between the office and home, but the new Sydney site is able to accommodate employees’ adjusted work arrangements.
“Creating workspaces that reflect who we are and how we operate was a significant consideration for our people,” the spokesperson told Insurance Business. “QBE is proud of its commitment to a sustainable business, and sustainability and resource efficiency have been central to the building’s refurbished design.
“We have chosen sustainably certified and low-emission materials throughout, including for furniture and building materials such as carpet, paint and timber, water-efficient fittings and appliances, energy-efficient lighting and technology, and 100% renewable electricity.”
Importantly, according to QBE, the new premises have been designed with employee experience and well-being top of mind.
