State Farm Ends EV Charging in Parking Garages
State Farm employees who drive electric vehicles (EVs) are facing new challenges after the company decided to remove EV charging stations from its parking garages. The shift began on October 28 at its Illinois headquarters and will expand to all locations nationwide due to fire safety concerns.
A company message shared with employees described the decision as a precautionary measure aimed at maintaining a safe environment. After assessments by local fire departments and workplace safety teams, risks associated with EV-related fires in enclosed garages were deemed unmanageable with current infrastructure.
The insurer has announced plans to explore outdoor EV charging stations in surface lots, where the fire risk to other vehicles and structures can be minimized.
This isn’t a new issue for organizations interacting with EVs. Repair shops nationwide have already noted increased costs when storing damaged EVs due to fire precautions. For example, additional storage space is often required to create buffers around EVs, significantly raising expenses.
State Farm’s response reflects the ongoing safety concerns for businesses adapting to a market with growing EV adoption rates.
Allstate’s Shift to Flex Workspaces
Meanwhile, Allstate is making workplace headlines for a very different reason. The insurance giant recently announced that a significant portion of its corporate employees will transition into flexible workspaces. Using a platform called LiquidSpace, around 25% of Allstate’s workforce across cities like Atlanta, Tampa, and Minneapolis will now book offices as needed rather than work in traditional ones.
This marks a shift towards more flexible setups, a trend accelerated by the pandemic. Others in Allstate’s workforce will work in restructured, leased office spaces that feature modern amenities such as open seating, libraries, and event spaces rather than traditional cubicles.
Lauren DeYoung, the company’s workplace futurist, said they are moving beyond standard office settings. Employees appreciate the remote-first policies Allstate implemented during the pandemic but also note limitations like fewer opportunities for collaboration. A balance between flexibility and in-person engagement is at the heart of the transition.
The company also reported a reduction in corporate real estate spending from $244 million to $138 million, excluding its 7,100 independently owned agent storefronts. A separate case study in Minneapolis showed that on-site, in-person onboarding for new hires helped significantly lower voluntary turnover—from 35% to just 5%.
Broader Insurance Workplace Trends
The changes at State Farm and Allstate align with broader workplace trends in the insurance sector. Companies are reevaluating their physical spaces and tools to remain flexible in evolving conditions.
Key trends include:
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International Expansion
Many insurers have moved teams overseas, engaging in global collaborations to reduce operational costs. For instance, roles in claims processing or customer service are increasingly based in countries such as the Philippines or India, where skilled labor is available at a lower cost. -
Declining Office Occupancy
A Cushman & Wakefield survey found that office occupancy remains at just 50% of pre-pandemic levels. About 63% of corporate real estate (CRE) managers plan to reduce their real estate footprint by 2025 to align with changing work habits. -
Focus on Employee Wellness
Employees expect more than a desk and chair. Wellness-focused designs, including soundproof libraries, hybrid collaboration areas, and even fitness spaces, are driving how insurance offices are updated. -
Enhanced Employee Flexibility
Offering control over where and when workers perform tasks has shown significant positive impacts on engagement and retention. Flexible space platforms, like LiquidSpace, reflect how technology is aiding this movement.
Implications for Future Workplace Technology
While the immediate reasons for these changes vary, both examples underscore an important shift—organizations are using new strategies and technologies to respond to evolving needs. State Farm’s move highlights the challenges of integrating EV infrastructure safely, while Allstate’s flexible workspace model champions employee-centric office designs.
Workplace innovations such as booking platforms, redesigned spaces, and remote-first policies benefit both businesses and employees. Digital tools can provide companies unprecedented agility in improving productivity and meeting worker preferences.
Looking to the future, insurers and other organizations will need to continue investing in safe, smart, and adaptable environments. Anticipating broader adoption of EVs, improved safety measures for fire risks may become standard. Likewise, technologies enabling collaboration over distance and new workspace models will likely expand, driven by demands for flexibility, wellness, and inclusivity.
The takeaway? Employers face rising expectations to adapt to modern lifestyles and technologies. Real estate, workplace safety, and employee engagement are no longer isolated concerns—they are part of the changing fabric of work itself. By applying these innovations thoughtfully, businesses across sectors stand to not only overcome challenges but also foster thriving, adaptable workplaces.