North P&I chief executive Paul Jennings says employees are managing to think of ways of keeping the insurer’s renowned team spirit alive after three weeks working from home.
The Newcastle-headquartered mutual's 366 employees are scattered around the globe and are all working remotely.
They are coming up with ideas to keep the mood positive, promote employee wellbeing during troubling times and even build up team spirit.
High-intensity internet workouts are being promoted and prove popular among staff, as the club seeks to remain upbeat during the coronavirus crisis.
Jennings said the North’s employees are reacting well to the situation. “Our teams in the UK and overseas have demonstrated what it means to come together as a team and their focus is on wellbeing and collaboration during these unprecedented times.
“We are writing and sharing blogs and photos with motivational messages, with hints and tips on working from home. We also have a twice-weekly remote international meta-fit group exercise, with over 60 of our staff from across the world joining in,” he said.
The concern over wellbeing extends to ship crews of the club's shipowner members. The North has a helpline available to seafarers who may be struggling with mental health issues as the current crisis adds to the stress of maritime work.
“For crew dealing with the challenges of self-isolation and the stresses of being away from home during this time, we are encouraging them to use our MindCall helpline,” Jennings said.
The transition to a remote operation has gone “smoothly”, Jennings said. Most enquiries addressed to North since the crisis took hold concern Covid-19-related disruption. The Freight, Defence and Demurrage (FD&D) team has been particularly busy.
Enquiries are mainly about repair contracts for vessels at shipyards and when force majeure provisions might apply. The North’s members also want to know about including so-called “epidemic clauses” and bespoke Covid-19 clauses into charter parties.
