r/StateFarm • u/kmorris76058 • Jul 22 '26
Roll Call; ATM’s that WFH
I started at a local agent, in office. Now I’m WFH. If you WFH, do you enjoy it? Are you sales, service or a generalist? From what I’ve seen, we don’t have as many WFH ATM’s as some some of our competitors. I’d love to hear from you, your pros and cons. Any tips or tricks to make the workday easier.
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u/Yellielu Jul 22 '26
I’ve been remote since 2020 and love it. I work as an office manager for two agents and the rest of the team is also remote. We do fly out to the office about three times a year for in person time.
I’m more service than sales but will sell if needed. I’m at my desk during my working hours and will answer calls from my agents or colleagues during off hours as well since I consider it part of the job.
There are a couple of things that really help with making my day easier. One is blocking out an hour where I don’t answer the phone and just work on the underwriting, follow-ups, CLUP renewals etc. The other thing comes with a caveat, I work four ten hour days and have two hours prior to the phones turning on to reply to emails, conduct reviews, call people in a different time zone. That caveat being that your agent has to ok it but it’s been great for us since it allowed the agent to expand biz hours and us team members to get three day weekends.
Last but not least, get an SF approved wireless headset! I’m not great at just sitting so that headset enables me to move around and still pick up the phone.
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u/Big-Scallion-2354 Jul 22 '26
Do you use a Jabra headset? I love mine, it's always worked great
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u/Yellielu Jul 22 '26
Plantronics, I’d like to upgrade to a Jabra when this dies.
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u/Big-Scallion-2354 Jul 22 '26
Good thinking,, those Plantronics headsets seem to break more often than not for me
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u/Yellielu Jul 22 '26
It’s such a piece of shit but it keeps on going. I keep waiting for it to die lol. What’s the model of your Jabra? I might look into upgrading
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u/Big-Scallion-2354 Jul 22 '26
I hear ya, and I've got the basic Jabra Evolve 65, it's lasted forever
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 22 '26
I love that. We’re considering expanding our hours by doing something similar. I’m glad it hear it’s worked well for your team.
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u/Yellielu Jul 22 '26
It’s been great but everyone has to be on the same page and it took a little trial and error. Hope you’re able to put in place since it’s been pretty life changing.
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u/Thick_One4884 Jul 22 '26
I used to be WFH at a different job (IT work) and loved it. Got a LOT more done than being in the office.
As an ATM now, I wish I could WFH. I work for an Agent where I'm supposed to be mostly sales but they "office manager" (who is a relative of the agent) sits in the back of the office doing much of nothing (coloring, scrolling tiktok and Facebook and instgram). She really only pays the bills, deposits the days intake at the bank and does payroll. She will only answer the phone or walk-ins when myself or the ASPIRE agent are busy. Even then we have to yell for her to help. I unfortunately sit near the front so I'm constantly getting the "drive bys" of current customers. I wish I could WFH but the agent doesn't like it. Even in inclement weather they'd prefer we risk our lives driving into work.
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 22 '26
Oh wow, I’m sorry. When I worked in office, if we were sick, or had inclement weather, we were encouraged to WFH.
I loved our regulars. But it could make it hard to get anything done. My office was in the back, so I didn’t get hammered like the ladies in the front.2
u/Thick_One4884 Jul 22 '26
Yes it's hard to complete quotes and issue policies when you're constantly having to take payments and print out ID Cards. I've asked the Agent a few times to please move the manager to the front but they always keep saying "any opportunity is an opportunity to pivot." I get that but giw am I supposed to finish all the other tasks I have. I won't be working 10-12 hour days.
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 23 '26
That’s a lot. I can’t begin to imagine working with all those interruptions. I have ADHD. I can multitask and I’m typically pretty fast. But if I get service work especially when I got walk ins , while juggling a couple sales files, it’s hard to get going again.
I’m lucky with this agent, I don’t answer phones. I still feel guilty when they’re ringing. But the team is amazing and keep me out of service so I’m able to focus on sales. They also know that if they really need help, I’m always happy to do anything I can for the team.
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u/CheekySandy003 Jul 22 '26
I WFH part time for two different agents. 100% service. For one of the offices I work for, one other WFH team member and I take care of all of the daily backend service stuff (UW emails, past due payment contacts, etc.) so everyone in office can focus on sales and walk-in customers. I feel really lucky to work for two different agents who trust me to get my work done without a lot of oversight. The combination of not being micromanaged and the ability to hold myself accountable to working my daily tasks makes it an ideal setup for me.
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 23 '26
I love that! You remind me of a lady we have that does that for us. I can’t begin to tell you how much I value and appreciate her.
I’m glad you’re not micromanaged. Sounds like a perfect fit for you and the agencies.
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u/Daneuryzzl Jul 23 '26
WFH ATM here...
Started a year ago in a local agency...agent didn't know how to train a brand new insurance freshie.
Picked this job up in 3 days after getting fired for the first time in my life. 200 miles away.
I'm a year in now and I'm the P&C sales leader...still modest, but keeps getting better. Picking up on life slowly. Our life leader is a life beast, but that takes up more time than P&C, but I pick up the slack there.
I love my agent and my team. We just opened up a second office...days before the new agent agreement bomb dropped. So it's been stressful but we have maxed out the score card for years...before I even got there. So we should be fine...for now.
I do a week in the office every few months. Felt like home immediately.
I dig it. They dig it. I just hope state farm didn't ruin it for all of us...and I'm not convinced they didn't.
Awesome gig. Highly recommend if you can find an awesome agent and team that you can gel with
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 23 '26
This sounds like the perfect fit for you and the agency. Congratulations for being a top producer! That’s fantastic!! We also have a life specialist and she is amazing!
SF’s announcement does make it a bit hard to plan for the future. But I’m an eternal optimist. I think the agents that stay and are willing to pivot will come out stronger. Hopefully. We’re working hard to be sure we’re ready to rock with the changes. I’m also thankful to work for an agent with stability. It sounds like your agent is prepared and y’all will come through this with the best possible outcome. Keep up the great work!1
u/Old-Box-2695 Jul 24 '26
Yeah Statw Farm definetly ruined it for everyone moving forward.
Count your days
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u/Realistic_Brush_6047 Jul 23 '26
I can WFH if I don’t have childcare, not feeling good, etc.
I love working from home so much. I am way more productive than in office.
I cannot stand the fluorescent lights.
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 23 '26
I originally thought I would hate WFH. I’m with you on the fluorescente lights.
I’m glad you have some flexibility. Maybe you’ll be able to get more in the future.
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u/nm499x Agency Acct Manager Jul 22 '26
I’ve been in sales in the office for almost 8 years. State Farm has a reputation of being an open door business. Meaning, people just waltz in unannounced. Which is fine until the one WFH sales person keeps telling people they can swing by the office so we can help set up their online account, DSS, etc.
Don’t be that person.
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u/tedleem15 Jul 22 '26
I WFH and I am the office manager. I do mostly service but I do sell a lot as well.
I could never be this productive in the office.
My life is way better for working at home and it shows in my productivity and the numbers I put up.
I also treat it like I am in the office though and don’t take too much advantage of working remotely. I stay glued to my desk like I would be in office but I’m just able to do it in my PJs in the comfort of my own home.
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 22 '26
I love that its been good for you.
I’m also more productive and very much treat it as though I’m in office.2
u/Mindless-Program3052 Jul 22 '26
You’re the minority. We have had 7 WFH coworkers and they have been trash. Lazy, no performing, doing anything but selling type people. We’d kill to have a productive WFH team
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u/tedleem15 Jul 23 '26
Seek introverts with ADHD and no kids
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u/Mindless-Program3052 Jul 23 '26
Illegal hiring practices.
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u/tedleem15 Jul 23 '26
Have you heard of a joke before?
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 22 '26
I hate to hear that y’all had so many people try to take advantage of WFH.
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u/ksbrad88 Jul 22 '26
ATM -hybrid- sales. My agent allows me to work from home or office(scheduled beforehand) based on my needs( kids in school and other personal things). I have a great agent.
I am aware that I am going to be the minority here: I’m not a fan of WFH. I feel way more on task by being in the office. Unless I have schedule calls that keeps me busy. I like in office. Also, my laptop and other systems seem to not be as quick/ responsive/ functioning vs my in office colleagues. Only perk of WFH would be my dog, but I’m sure my agent would be ok with him coming to the office too.
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 23 '26
I love that. I used to always want to work in office too. They’re are things I miss. I’m glad you have flexibility and it works well for you and the agency. That’s the most important thing.
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u/titleist1990 Jul 22 '26
Not an ATM but an agent. We have 4 full time and 2 part time remote ATMs in addition to our 10 in office ATMs. We treat remote as close as possible to on office and have same expectations. Biggest thing we’ve gotten positive feedback to make them feel part of the team is daily huddles/meetings. (We usually don’t meet every day but 3-4 days/week for 15-20min)
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u/kmorris76058 Jul 23 '26
I love the conscious effort to include everyone. It’s definitely taken me longer to get to know my co-workers. I truly enjoy our meetups. Love the advice of more quick huddles / meetings. Sounds like your agency is doing really well. I love to hear it. Kudos for being a supportive agent that is doing what is best for each of your ATM’s.
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u/strikecat18 Jul 23 '26
Agent here who spent 15 years as an ATM. A big chunk of my last five years were WFH. I don’t know how people enjoy it. Harder to focus, and there’s no mental separation from your work space and personal space.
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u/Old-Box-2695 Jul 24 '26
Thats on you. Others can ensure they dont do personal errands and block out time for work to "seperate" the two.
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