Feature
Career and Leadership

How to make flexible work arrangements work–CareerView Podcast

Claim your CPD points

This instalment of the Institute's Diversity and Inclusion series asks the Chief Actuary at MLC Insurance, Darren Robinson, about his experience managing employees with flexible work (remote location and part time) arrangements. Darren discusses the value of an 'agile coach' in supporting part-time staff and how productivity, retention and morale can be affected by flexible working.

Ashish Ahluwalia (Principal at Finity Consulting) discusses with Darren, the increasing take-up of flexible work arrangements and how - with the correct planning, level of trust, capability and communication - both employers and employees can benefit.

Darren explains some of his own staff's requests - including when returning from maternity leave and scenarios where 'Head Of' Departments moved interstate - and offers advice for both employees and managers.

Darren emphasises that maintaining strong lines of communication, despite the geographical distance, is important. As is facilitating 'water-cooler' moments: those chance meetings of colleagues in the office or on coffee breaks that often spark innovations, for individuals not always physically present.

Listen to our first instalment in the Diversity and Inclusion podcast series and read our article on the DIWG's goals and members.

Download Transcript here.

Follow the Actuaries Institute on social media;↳ Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Spreaker YouTube

Diversity and Inclusion
About the authors
Ashish Ahluwalia
Ashish is a Principal at Finity and is a leader of Finity’s data analytics practice. He has many years of hands-on experience using advanced analytics techniques to deliver commercial strategies and outcomes for his clients. Ashish is passionate about finding new ways to apply the tools of the actuarial and data science trade, and has a particular interest in building and working with diverse teams in order to develop new and novel decision support tools.
User.svg
Darren Robinson
Darren Robinson was appointed Chief Actuary for MLC Life Insurance in April 2015. In this role he is responsible for the company's pricing, reinsurance, valuation of policy liabilities and management information. Previously at NAB, Darren held the role of Head of Actuarial – Insurance and Management Information from 2013, before being appointed Chief Actuary in NAB’s wealth management business. Prior to joining NAB, Darren was the Pricing and Valuation Actuary at Clearview, where he designed and supported the implementation of the advice distribution strategy, designed and implemented the reinsurance strategy. Prior to this Darren held senior actuary roles, within the wealth management divisions of Westpac (as Valuation & Capital Actuary) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (as Portfolio Actuary – Managed Funds). Darren is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and has a BComm (Hons) from UNSW.