Jobs With MetLife Prized For Tangible CSR

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Jobs With Metlife Prized For Tangible CSR
33 percent of Millennials prefer jobs with a socially responsible company, according to Nielsen Media Research. This number is encouraging, and matches a growing number of companies harnessing their products, services and resources to help make the world a better place. A prime example is MetLife, a nearly 150 year-old company that was recently named by Chronicle of Philanthropy as the No. 1 philanthropic organization among U.S. life insurers.

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world, providing just about every kind of insurance possible and even offering instant life insurance quotes. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management. Currently providing around 65,000 jobs, it ranks 69th on the 2014 Forbes Global 2000SM ranking of the world’s largest public companies. Ranking 42nd on the 2014 Fortune 500® list, it serves approximately 100 million customers and 90 of the FORTUNE 100® as clients. MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

A History Of Helping

MetLife’s efforts to make a positive impact on society are both historic and diverse. For example, in the 1930s MetLife Visiting Nurse Services provided treatment for 35 out of every 1,000 policyholders for illnesses such as diphtheria, influenza, smallpox and tuberculosis. The company also launched a program to aid thousands of out-of-work farmers during the depression, eventually putting them back in business and helping them pay off their debts.

Today, MetLife has expanded its corporate responsibility efforts to make a positive difference. Around the world the company is focused on providing financial knowledge and access to people, including those who have never had insurance before. Employees are in on the mission as well. The company has installed dozens of free electric car charging stations at all 14 of its U.S. owned and operated facilities, which has encouraged MetLife employees to drive electric and hybrid cars to reduce carbon emissions.

image Image note: The Bridgewater, NJ charging stations is one of 32, at 14 MetLife U.S. facilities across 10 states. (Source: MetLife)

Jobs With Global Impact

Jobseekers wanting tangible proof of a company’s social ideology won’t have trouble finding MetLife’s position. The following statements provide strong testimony to MetLife’s commitment to social responsibility. They are taken from MetLife’s 2013 report, “Global Impact:”

“MetLife is committed to sound environmental stewardship. Across our global operations, we work hard to ensure a safer, healthier planet for future generations. MetLife carefully considers its use of natural resources, including materials and water. We seek out innovative ways to reuse and recycle paper, electronics equipment and other office supplies. In 2013, we recycled more than 1,400 tons of waste, representing more than 55 percent of total waste from our U.S.-owned and -managed office buildings. By the end of 2013, we reduced water consumption nearly 30 million gallons from the 2010 baseline of more than 100 million gallons.”

“We are committed to leveraging our assets to make a positive difference for the people, families and communities we serve. We strive to meet these commitments not only through our products, services, philanthropic and environmental initiatives, but also by using our financial strength to help drive economic growth and create long-term value. We purchase environmentally responsible products and also incorporate sustainability criteria in vendor sourcing and management processes. We are committed to using our purchasing power to create positive change.”

MetLife Impact Investments And Achievements:

• MetLife Foundation has provided more than $600 million in grants since 1976
• MetLife Foundation intends to commit $200 million to financial inclusion over five years
• $8.2 billion (fair value) in community development investments
• $40 million in financing for veterans’ housing in the United States
• $2.8 billion invested in renewable energy efforts since 2003
• Installed 32 electric-carcharging stations in the United States—available free for employees
• Equity stakes in 35 LEED-certified properties
• Carbon Disclosure Project score of 92 and Performance score of A-
• 100 percent of owned and managed offices in the United States are Energy Star-certified and 50 percent are LEED-certified

Building A Culture Of Diversity And Inclusion

MetLife’s social responsibility extends deep into HR policy. They believe that being an inclusive, global company with a diverse workforce inspires fresh perspectives, helping them compete more effectively for talent. Their diversity gives them an edge building stronger relationships with their customers and their communities. Ingeniously, MetLife understands that their diversity helps them better understand their markets across the world.

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One example of MetLife’s Diversity and Inclusion activities is their Global Women’s Initiative. Focusing on empowering women, they are increasing the representation of women in jobs with broader leadership roles. Through their Global Women’s Initiative they are actively strengthening the leadership capability of women in their talent pipeline.

Caring about their employees includes employee well-being beyond the workplace. In order to support their employees’ diverse priorities, interests and needs, they offer a variety of programs and resources, including insurance, workplace flexibility, health and wellness resources, childcare, eldercare resources and more.

Enabling Working Families To Thrive

Just last week, MetLife earned a spot on the 2014 Working Mother magazine’s 100 Best Companies. This list recognizes companies for outstanding leadership in establishing policies, programs and a corporate culture that supports working moms. These include child care, flexible work arrangements, paid parental leave and advancement of women. Companies are also measured on access to and usage of family friendly programs.

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This is MetLife’s 16th consecutive year on the list and affirms the company’s commitment to helping employees balance work and family responsibilities. “We’re always striving to create policies and programs that enable working families to thrive both at work and at home,” said Elizabeth Nieto, MetLife’s global chief diversity and inclusion officer. “It’s an honor to be recognized by Working Mother magazine for the 16th year in a row.”

MetLife sponsors many generous programs for working mothers. Flexible arrangements for jobs are offered, such as compressed work weeks, part-time work, job-sharing, flextime, virtual work and telecommuting. Parental leave coaching helps employees and managers prepare for parental leave and for returning to their jobs confidently. Back-up child care is available for up to 15 days per child per year when regular care is unavailable, as well as up to 10% in child care discounts. A new employee network creates awareness of family friendly resources and provides a forum for employees to share experiences and best practices.

Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media said, “The Working Mother 100 Best Companies are the leaders in the advancement of women by supporting their need to integrate family and work successfully. We are thrilled to honor the U.S. companies that put words into action and build family-friendly cultures on the foundation of thoughtful policies and effective programs. Women now make up 50% of our workforce. We need to make sure they have the support to be outstanding moms as well as great employees.”

An Award-Winning Workplace

MetLife is continually recognized for their award-winning workplace, as well as outstanding achievements in their industry. Here’s a snapshot of other awards lately presented to MetLife:

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Job Satisfaction Via Corporate Social Responsibility

Historically, social responsibility has been a fundamental key for many brands’ success in the marketplace. Some of the largest global brands include good citizenship as part of their mission. Larger organizations have more opportunities to globalize these efforts, integrating them into core business functions. These companies understand incorporating social good into business is increasingly becoming the coin of the realm for companies that want to succeed.

With 33 percent of Millennials preferring jobs with socially responsible companies, corporate ideology is starting to shift. Companies investing in top talent needs to be even more innovative and far-reaching in their sustainability efforts. The return on investment will impact several generations to come. Once these Millennials enter the work force, they will help infuse their mindsets into their company’s ethos. As this immersion intensifies, corporate America will make great social advancements. Job hunters will increasingly prefer the intangible satisfaction of helping society. Holding jobs with socially responsible companies is not just about making a living, it’s about making a positive difference in people’s lives and in the planet’s future.

( p.s. I love this enlightened EEO statement: )

“MetLife is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We are committed to attracting, retaining and maximizing the performance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of MetLife to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law.”

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