Our work from home
JOURNEY EDITION 2
We Are ALL in this
TOGETHER W. R. Berkley Corporation will be donating $1 million to foodbanks, children’s assistance programs, and COVID-19 response programs during the coming weeks. In addition, The Berkley Family Foundation and W. R. Berkley Corporation will each match the total amount raised by employees, up to a maximum of $1 million. This creates the potential for our combined giving to reach a total of $4 million, which would make a significant difference to these organizations and the people they serve.
We Are ALL in this
Berkley contributions during COVID-19
TOGETHER
DONATIONS MUST BE MADE ON OR BEFORE MAY 1, 2020 Children’s Aid NYC Donate at: http://donate.childrensaidnyc.org/. The best way for Children’s Aid to track matching eligible donations is to ask donors to make the gift in honor of “W. R. Berkley Corporation.” On the online form, click, “Yes, this is an honor or memorial gift” and simply type in the name in the boxes that appear. Project C.U.R.E. W. R. Berkley employees can now mention their affiliation on the updated donation page in two ways: 1) Drop down menu, choose a specific purpose for your gift (W. R. Berkley is now a drop down option) 2) Fill in blank: How did you hear about Project C.U.R.E. (employees can write in W. R. Berkley) Feeding America Make your donation at: www.feedingamerica.org/wrberkley-covid. Partners in Health Make your donation at: https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/COVID-19-WR-Berkley. Eligible donations will qualify for the Berkley match.
To contribute by mail, please make your check(s) to the extent you wish to contribute payable to the organization(s) you have selected and forward to Brett Dubin, W. R. Berkley Corporation, 475 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 by May 1. It is important that you write “COVID-19 Response” in the memo line on your check(s).
Brightening the St. Louis Neighborhood MEC Employee, Scott Reinhold and his son showcase their sidewalk art
SIDEWALK ARTWORK
DOES YOUR WFH OFFICE NEED A MINI MAKEOVER As we are all working from home, the below link will give you a few ergonomic tips. Thanks to Berkley Environmental for sharing these tips!
Payroll Team has “Crazy Hat Day” virtual meeting
Our Pets Loving Having Us Home Preferred Employers Insurance share an awesome photo collage
Washing Regularly Gillian James’ cats refuse to social distance, but frequently wash their paws.
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION The 50th Anniversary During COVID-19
Acadia Green Newsletter In honor of Earth Day’s 50th Anniversary, Acadia published a Green Newsletter which contains contributions from individuals at Acadia. Each article pertains to how we can continue to contribute to improving our environment here on earth. One article illustrates how COVID-19 has played a role on our environment. In addition, there is a list of examples as to how we can reduce our consumption of electricity, paper and single use items. Click here to read and download the pdf.
HR Shared Services’ little ones celebrating Earth Day with some fun projects.
Happy Administrative Professional Day 2020 W. R. Berkley Corporation recognizes and thanks all our amazing Administrative Professionals for the great work they do every day to support our organization.
USIC shared this photo collage to recognize and thank their Administrative Professionals.
NAUTILUS Shout Outs & Anniversary Celebrations Through Weekly Emails
To: Gayle Burtner
From: Karen Evers
My first bit of gratitude goes to Gayle. She is one of the funniest people I know. Every couple of days since this all started, she has emailed me something funny. No matter how many “thanks” I send back, I don’t think she has any idea how much I appreciate giggling at whatever whimsy she sends my way. Keep us laughing, Gayle!
Shout Outs
To: All of Nautilus
From: Gina Butchin
Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for my fortune to be able to work with and for such an impressive group of talented, dedicated, and authentic people. To: Josh DeMilt To: Leaders
From: Gina Butchin
A shout-out to leaders. Not just those who hold the titles, but those who have led the way to our transition to remote work in the efforts to ensure not only our safety – but our security too. To: Ashley Miller, John Pollicino, Perry Wang
From: Rhiannon Villa
Thank you for helping Ops with the Nautilus transition to work from home. Greatly appreciated!
From: Jennifer Rthluebber
Many of our documents are routed electronically, but still need to be date stamped. Josh created a date stamp within Adobe that allows us to electronically date stamp. Thanks, Josh! To: Team 2
From: Katrina Maharaj
Grateful to have such an amazing team that keeps in contact and we are still having fun! (Denise Howard, Roxanne Martinez, Joseph DeMilita, Dan Collins, Christian Novak, John Glover, Anthony Milano)
To: Jesus Le rm
a From: Erin H eys When I need ed additiona l tech to bett from home, er work Jesus organ iz e d th e and walked resources me through g e tt in g set up more effectively a t home. He w a s s u per helpful during an ob viously stre s s fu l ti me. Thx, Jesus!
WEEKLY ANNIVERSARIES APRIL 18 – Wendy Wilson (3) APRIL 19 – Pam Morgan (16)
APRIL 21 - Carrie Gerbert (17) APRIL 22 – Chris Pacht (1)
APRIL 22 – Kathy Hagberg (1)
To: Actuarial & Controllers Teams From: Allison Kenworthy & Kevin Donovan
To: Cat Scheer, Diana Gusich, Tony Sardo From: Kellie Barwick
HUGE shout-out to the Actuarial and Controllers Teams for cutting 2 business days off the quarter end close. Your hard work over the past year of streamlining processes, reducing handoffs, and improving communication really paid off. You were able to produce high quality deliverables with meaningful analysis in the expedited timeline, while being pushed to understand more than ever before. Thank you and job VERY well done!
Teamwork at its finest. A big THANK YOU to you for your teamwork in assigning the New Claims in a timely manner and handling the calls promptly and professionally. Jabber has become the team’s new BFF, allowing them to stay connected and push the work through while working from home. YOU’RE AMAZING!! THANK YOU!!!
To: Ted Atkinson
From: Trish Buckhardt
Shout out to Ted for your hardwork and dedication in the advancement of customer service and business results supported by the work of the PMO. You are amazing! To: Jesus Lerma
From: Terri Pruitt
A great big shout out and thank you to Jesus for always “being there” for us no matter how big or small the problem, even on Sundays! Jesus, you are the best! To: Leanne Schucker
To: Yvette Vasquez
From: Kellie Barwick
A huge THANK YOU for pitching in to help the Claims Support Team in assigning New Claims. We greatly appreciate your help. Thank you Yvette! To: Our AMAZING little Skeleton Crew at the Office From: Karen Evers Last in the building, but far from least… it’s like “the little engine that could”! We’re relying on them to keep our required mail and paper items flowing, and our hardware happy! Many of their processes and responsibilities have evolved since mid-March, and they’re KILLING IT! They thought they could, and THEY HAVE! THANK YOU!
From: Rochelle Elliott
Thank you, Leanne for all your patience and assistance as we walk through the challenges of building out MPL in the ONE. Your insight and effort on the project is above and beyond!
To: Gayle Moorwessel From: Kellie Barwick A huge SHOUT-OUT to Gayle for her relentlessness in working with IT, BTS, our Receptionists, and our Vendor on our phone system. You’re a ROCK STAR. Thank you Gayle!
While we are working with our kids at home every day, on this special day, we’d like to share some precious and funny moments.
Finishing senior year of college at home
There’s a new BOSS in town!
Bring Your Kids (& Pets) to Work Day Moments shared by Union Standard Group, Berkley Southeast Insurance Group, Berkley Regional Marketplace, and Berkley Fire & Marine Underwriters.
FAMILY AT WORK— Better Together
Sharing moments from APAC Region (Australia and Asia).
The Acadia team uses rainbows as a sign of hope.
Adorable kids across the Organization.
Bring Your Kids to Work Day
STORIES
Click on the photos below to see the story line created by some of our Berkley Companies
Our UK and European companies had a friendly competition to name their Workplace Superstars!
Berkley Surety children participate in “Color a Smile”, a nonprofit organization that distributes cheerful drawings to Senior Citizens, Our Troops Overseas, and anyone in need of a smile.
Take a peek at how Berkley Industrial Company celebrated “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work” day this year!
Bring Your Kids to Work Day
VIDEOS
Watch these short interviews with the kids
Daughter of Genesa Trogdon (Benefits Team)
Betsy Geiger (Recruiting Team) and her son
Kathy Tierney (Berkley One) and her son
Daughter of Crystal Madrigal Lopez (Berkley Custom)
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PARENT’S GUIDE Keeping it Fun with the Family — Inside & Out Running out of fun activities to entertain the kids? We thought we would share some new resources to give your family fun a refresh! We have wonderful parents working with us and want you to know we have you covered. (And, don’t feel you have to have children to take advantage of some of these fun ideas...enjoy!)
GET OUTSIDE There is nothing better than fresh air and sunshine to brighten a day. Here are some ideas to take advantage of a beautiful Spring day:
1. 2. 3. 4.
FEELING KINDA CRAFTY?
Projects are a fun way to brighten your home and keep kids Chalk Your Walk by leaving chalk art drawings and notes for neighbors and adults busy.
Go on a nature scavenger hunt in your backyard or a nearby park. You can make up your own or find some ideas at makeandtakes.com.
go friends, go old school and enjoy a game of home-made chalk hopscotch. Coordinate with neighbors and enjoy a walk filled with color and art. Plant seedlings or a garden. It’s the perfect time to begin thinking about fresh tomatoes in summer and teaching the kiddos about the plant lifecycle. Educational and yummy...
Check out these links to great DIY crafts you can do yourself or with the kids.
Foster connections in your town or neighborhood by organizing a neighborhood artwork hunt. You can use Facebook and encourage families to cut out shapes/designs and put them on their doors/windows. You can also plant rocks and hide them around the neighborhood for people to find and share on Facebook.
Make and Takes has a ton of ideas for any skill level, a personal fave is Swirly Flowers.
Save These for a Rainy Day Rainy days stink, but it doesn’t mean you are stuck at home with nothing to do: • Pull out that stationary you’ve had in a box for years and write some hand written letters to family or friends. Video chats are fun, but who doesn’t love to receive a letter in their mailbox? • Practice, practice, practice. Do you have a budding musician, ballerina or TikTok star at home? Now is a great time to have them brush up on their activity. Make a chart and award stickers for each hour or day they practice. • Sure, kids in the kitchen can be messy, but it can also be fun and really awesome when they are able to make themselves lunch or a snack. Food Network has excellent cooking ideas that span a wide age range. • Let your kids take a turn being the DJ and have a dance party at home. In addition to being great exercise, it can really let the kids get their energy out before bed. Want to amp it up? Pick a theme—70s, 80s or EDM!
Our favorite DIY experts at HGTV have put together a list of crafts anyone can do. Good Housekeeping has lots of projects on their website for adults and kids including trash to treasure. Do you have a budding Wizard in the family? Check out Red Ted Art’s Harry Potter crafts.
Honoring Our School Teachers
Dan Shamir, from the Company Flight Department, shares a family video that honors his children’s school teachers