Employer of choice provides right environment for talent to thrive

One of the biggest general insurers which combines local knowledge, global experience and financial strength, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, aims to be the employer of choice in an industry of choice.

Over the years, the company has attracted those who seek a career in general insurance providing broad opportunities and experiences, and it takes pride in a staff turnover rate that has dropped in three consecutive years.

AIG HK, the fully-owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc., believes that through its commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity of people, ideas, and skills, it will be a better business partner to customers, a better citizen in the communities in which it operates, and a better place for its employees to work.

Customer centricity

The company also adopts a customer centric mindset, reflected in initiatives such as the launch of CyberEdge that addresses evolving risks that businesses face.

This innovative idea is a response to growing cyber-crime threats and data breaches. Responding to customer needs means keeping the AIG HK promise to assist at the “moment of truth,’’ when claims are presented.

At AIG HK, there is a culture that respects and embraces individual and cultural differences. “In Hong Kong we aim to be an Employer of Choice in an Industry of Choice. This means not only working with our customers and our business partners but also our staff and industry stakeholders to ensure this vision becomes a reality,” says Marc Breuil, President and Chief Executive Officer of AIG HK.

Embracing diversity

For years, diversity and inclusion have been a focus at AIG HK, where several key attributes make the company a prime consideration for potential employees, including the disabled.

Just so that the disabled are at home in the office, AIG HK has conducted site audits to understand accessibility needs and to prioritize improvements. Moreover, AIG sponsors a Scholarship program of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) which rewards physically disabled and ethnic minority students for their academic excellence.

Mr. Breuil is also a member of the Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis (IFAA) Advisory Committee at the CUHK to provide strategic advice and industry knowledge to the curriculum design of the Business School.

"People want career opportunities, training, and to be listened to when they have something to say, and an environment in which they feel that they can contribute," says Mr. Breuil.

Broadening opportunities for employees

In keeping with its goal of broadening the types of opportunities and experiences available to employees at every level, AIG HK is also an Equal Opportunities Employer, hiring physically disabled employees and is also committed to seeking out ethnic minority populations in its analyst programs.

They will also embrace the values of not fearing change; challenging the status quo, eagerness to explore and experiment, taking calculated risks, and tolerating failure.

AIG HK’s strength is not only reflected in its finances, but also its philanthropy which helps to make a positive difference in the community.

The company donated HK$500,000 to support Mission Possible, a new charity established by The Peter Bennett Foundation to address Hong Kong’s most pressing social issues.

Mission Possible has nominated four charities to receive HK$125,000 each from AIG. These are Po Leung Kuk Special Children Development Fund, which helps special needs children; the Community Chest Rainbow Fund, which helps disadvantaged families and individuals; Food Link which seeks to alleviate hunger in Hong Kong by helping to reduce food wastage and allocating food to the poor; and Lighthouse Benevolent Fund, which focuses on the needy in the construction industry.

Sustainable principles at work

AIG also launched Volunteer Time Off in the Asia Pacific region (including Hong Kong) last year which is the first region outside the US to roll out this important initiative.

Employees may take two days off work per year and join company-sponsored or personal volunteer activities during working hours. These two volunteering days are not part of paid annual leave. Apart from philanthropy, AIG puts sustainable principles into practice at office worldwide to make AIG a more efficient, green organization.

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FAST FACTS

• AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited is a member of American International Group, Inc. (AIG).

• The financial strength of AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited is confirmed by global rating agencies: A+ (stable outlook) by S&P, A2 (stable outlook) by Moody’s and A by AM Best. The company has also been awarded a counterparty credit rating of cnAAA on S&P’s newly introduced Greater China Regional Scale. This is the highest rating available on that scale.

• AIG’s strategic vision is to be the most valued insurance company