Ishani Senaweera, Chief Human Resources Officer of Allianz Lanka reflects on the insurer being recognized as a Great Workplace. The recognition highlights its commitment to a supportive and inclusive workplace and key elements include talent acquisition and retention with clear career paths and continuous learning, performance management with clear metrics and incentives, and promoting work-life balance through flexible arrangements and wellness programmes. Diversity, inclusion and equity are also central to Allianz Lanka’s people policy which fosters excellence across the organization.
Allianz Lanka has been recognized as a Great Workplace. Can you share some insights into the key elements of your people policy that have contributed to this achievement?
The recognition as a Great Workplace stems from our commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace. Our people policy focuses on nurturing a dynamic and inclusive culture and we prioritize talent acquisition and retention by offering clear career development paths and continuous learning opportunities. Regular training sessions and leadership programmes equip our employees with the skills they need to thrive.
Performance management is driven by clear metrics and performance-based incentives. We promote work-life balance through flexible arrangements, supportive policies such as parental leave, and comprehensive wellness programmes.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, with initiatives like Allianz Neo fostering gender inclusion. Employee well-being is supported by robust health plans, 24/7 mental health support, and a safe work environment. We engage our employees through open feedback mechanisms, recognition programmes, and Employee Resource Groups. Our global and career mobility schemes offer international opportunities and skill enhancement programmes.
Our commitment to corporate social responsibility encourages community engagement and volunteer work. We also embrace innovation by empowering employees to contribute to innovation programmes and supporting them through organizational changes. These elements collectively enhance employee satisfaction and performance, aligning with our strategic goals at Allianz Lanka.
How does Allianz Lanka empower its employees to excel in their roles and foster career progression within the company?
At Allianz Lanka, we prioritize employee development and empowerment. In 2023, we conducted 232 training programmes for 9,619 attendees, totalling 33,688 learning hours. Our “#lead passport” programme reached 18,000 global leaders, focusing on inclusivity, resilience, and strategic thinking.
We promote lifelong learning, encouraging each staff member to dedicate at least 43 hours annually to personal development aligned with their career goals. Our career mobility scheme offers growth opportunities within Allianz, leveraging our collective expertise.
We also provide study tours and accreditation programmes, similar to an in-house university, to broaden employees’ horizons and enhance their skills. These initiatives underscore our commitment to empowering employees, fostering career progression, and driving organizational success.
What is the role of diversity, inclusion and equality (DI&E) at Allianz Lanka and can you share examples of fostering DI&E and their impact?
We prioritize diversity, inclusion, and equality (DI&E) as key pillars of our culture, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment by promoting diverse perspectives. To support DI&E, we’ve established five Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) within the Allianz Global Network: Allianz Beyond (Disability Inclusion), Allianz Grace (Nationality/Ethnicity Inclusion), Allianz Engage (Age Inclusion), Allianz Neo (Gender Equity), and Allianz Pride (LGBTQ+). These ERGs drive positive change and advocate for inclusivity.
A notable achievement is the Women in Leadership (WIL) ERG at Allianz Lanka, the first gender-based ERG within Allianz Asia Pacific. This group advances women’s leadership, promotes gender equality, and supports women’s career progression.
Our commitment to diversity extends to our recruitment process, ensuring diverse and inclusive review panels and candidate pools. By championing DI&E, we strengthen our culture and empower employees to contribute their best work.
To navigate industry challenges, Allianz Lanka focuses on people policies. Talent acquisition and retention are supported by competitive career development initiatives. Continuous learning and leadership development programmes prepare employees for future roles, while clear performance metrics and incentives drive high performance. Flexible work arrangements and supportive policies enhance work-life balance and productivity.
Our commitment to diversity and well-being includes health and wellness programmes, safety measures, and equal opportunity initiatives. These efforts build a resilient, innovative, and collaborative workforce, essential for success.
In addition to people policies, Allianz Lanka undertakes strategic initiatives such as digital transformation, product innovation, customer-centric approaches, regulatory compliance, risk management, and strategic partnerships to maintain our competitive edge.
How does being recognized as a Great Workplace in Sri Lanka benefit Allianz Lanka, its employees, and its customers?
Achieving this certification in Sri Lanka is a significant milestone for Allianz Lanka, highlighting our commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment. The survey data from this recognition offers valuable insights to further enhance our organizational culture.
We deeply value the feedback from our colleagues and have already initiated measures to address areas for improvement. By focusing on fairness, credibility, respect, pride, and camaraderie, we aim to boost employee satisfaction and morale.
A positive workplace culture translates into better service for our customers. Engaged employees are more likely to deliver exceptional service, leading to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty. With over 150,000 employees across more than 70 countries, Allianz Group serves over 100 million retail and corporate customers globally. Our recognition as the world’s No. 1 insurance brand by Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2023 underscores our unwavering commitment to excellence.
Ultimately, being recognized as a Great Workplace benefits not only Allianz Lanka and its employees but also our valued customers, as we strive to provide the best possible experience for all stakeholders.