At Allianz, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are more than just buzzwords. It is deeply woven into the Group’s Employee Value Proposition, “We Care for Tomorrow”. At the core of this lies the employer's promise to care for what makes employees unique, so that they can bring their whole selves to work.

DEI contributes to a more Innovative, Creative and Engaged Work Environment  

Based on the annual Allianz Employee Engagement Survey (AES), an overwhelming 93% of employees acknowledge the company's commitment to diversity across a spectrum of dimensions, including age, gender, disability, nationality/ethnicity, sexual orientation, language, and educational qualifications. These statistics not only validate the ongoing efforts but also underscore the pivotal role of DEI in cultivating a dynamic and inclusive organisational culture.

Quite simply, diversity, equity, and inclusion is used to describe three values that many organisations today strive to embody to help meet the needs of people from all walks of life.

Speaking on behalf of Allianz Malaysia Berhad, its Chief People and Culture Officer, Wong Woon Man said, “as we journey through the ever-changing landscape of our business, it is vital that the function of Human Resources evolve to meet the dynamic needs of our workforce and workplace. With this in mind, we are proud to announce a transformative journey, as we shift from traditional Human Resources (HR) functions to focus on People and Culture”.

Leaders and managers must champion diversity and inclusion within the organisation. Creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and respected enhances the overall employee experience.

Building a Culture of Inclusivity

“Inclusivity means equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, disability, nationalities, ethnicities and age. It also means creating a workplace environment where the diverse needs of staff can be met,” said Woon Man.

“A diverse and inclusive environment enhances employee engagement, creates a sense of belonging, improves the employee experience, enhances innovation and also improves leadership skills and abilities. For the record, we have a total of 18 differently-abled colleagues working with us”.

Attracting and Retaining Talent

At Allianz Malaysia, fostering a thriving workplace begins with a steadfast dedication to its employee value proposition, 'We Care for Tomorrow'. This pledge encompasses a holistic approach to supporting talent, prioritising career development, well-being, and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.

In line with this commitment, Allianz emphasises on delivering a seamless end-to-end experience for candidates and employees, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency while ensuring fairness and eliminating unconscious bias in recruitment processes.

Central to its talent strategy are workplace flexibility and purpose-driven initiatives, empowering employees to adapt, grow, and excel in an agile environment. This approach not only attracts top talent but also cultivates a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

 Dive into Allianz Employee Value Proposition

“Our Employee Value Proposition is reflected in our employees’ lifecycle journey: from individual development to career mobility. Lifelong learning offers all our employees worldwide, with opportunities to get engaged in shaping a future that is safe, inclusive and sustainable,” said Woon Man.  

She further explained that the alignment between Allianz's employee value proposition and its organisational values is pivotal. By embracing inclusion and diversity, Allianz creates an environment where every individual can thrive authentically— a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent and solidifying its reputation as an employer of choice.

A Diverse range of Learning and Development Programs

“The DEI guidelines serve as a roadmap for the Allianz Group’s  DEI journey, outlining our past progress, current initiatives, and future goals. They underscore our dedication to fostering diversity in all its forms and creating an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued and respected”

“As part of our efforts to promote gender equality and combat discrimination, we have implemented gender-inclusive language guidelines and offer DEI training to all employees. These training sessions cover a variety of topics, including gender sensitivity, inclusive communication, unconscious bias, and anti-harassment and anti-discrimination standards. We encourage all staff to participate in these learning pathways as we strive to cultivate an inclusive mindset that challenges and rejects our own biases. Through these initiatives, we aim to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to our collective success,” said Woon Man.

Allianz Beyond : Employee Network for Disability Inclusion

As part of their on-going focus to shape a culture of DEI, Allianz Malaysia has collaborated with the group’s headquarters in Germany to create Employee Networks which aims to connect colleagues and bring individuals together to share experiences, offer support, networking opportunities and a sense of community.

“Our focus on Allianz Beyond is to raise the greater awareness and care for people with disabilities, drive positive change and create an inclusive environment to enable colleagues of all abilities to succeed,” said Woon Man.  

Allianz MoveForward

In the year 2021, Allianz SE officially began its eight-year worldwide partnership with the Olympic & Paralympic Movements (OPM), building on a collaboration with the Paralympic Movement since 2006. As the Worldwide Insurance Partner, Allianz aims to support the athlete community through insurance solutions and services, career opportunities and health activities.

To support the OPM partnership awareness in Malaysia, Allianz Malaysia has established a three-year partnership (since year 2022) with the Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) to support the national athletes through financial funding, programmes and activities that focuses on the following areas;

• to increase awareness and recognition for para-athletes, and to support their training and sports development.

• to provide alternatives to their post-athlete career by helping to improve their soft skills and financial knowledge through the Allianz MoveForward Programme.

Employee Engagement through Vibrant Cultural Celebrations and Community Events

“We also work closely with the Corporate Communications team to celebrate with employees the diverse Malaysian festivities and global events – Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and Christmas, Town Halls, International Men and Women’s Day and Children’s Day. Employees usually look forward to these events as a time to celebrate our diverse cultures and interact with colleagues from other departments and also their family members,” said Woon Man.

Allianz Malaysia’s recent EDGE (Economic Dividends for Gender Equality) certification is testament of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. DEI will remain an ongoing focus for the Company as we continue to grow our footprints around the world.

Want to know more about Allianz diversity, equity, and inclusion? Visit HERE for more info.

This article was provided by Allianz Malaysia Berhad.

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