Manulife holds another “Thank You” day for its employees

Manulife is giving its entire global workforce the day off today on June 18 – its second year holding a “Thank You Day” for its employees.

The insurer also said that it dedicated yesterday afternoon, June 17, for its entire global team to learn more about diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in an inaugural Global Afternoon of Reflection and Learning.

The first Global Afternoon of Reflection and Learning featured a range of learning activities, including allyship and how to become better advocates for change. There were also keynote speeches, fireside chats, and webinars hosted by leaders and employee resource groups.

“We care deeply about the well-being of everyone on our team, and we know that starts with having an inclusive workplace,” said Manulife chief human resources officer Pam Kimmet. “Having expanded our DEI commitments last year, these two important events allow us to take stock of our progress and devote time to gaining a greater appreciation of the many dimensions of diversity.”

Kimmet added that the Global Afternoon of Reflection and Learning and Thank You Day also support the Manulife team in observing two important days – Juneteenth in the US and Indigenous People's Day in Canada.

Since declaring its five-year Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) recruitment and leadership goals about a year ago, Manulife has achieved the following:

• 52% of new graduate hiring as BIPOC talent in 2020, double the goal set a year earlier.
• Launched a new bursary program for Indigenous Students at Wilfrid Laurier University as well as at Seneca College which also offers internships for Indigenous students.
• Joined the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
• Created DEI interview guides for hiring managers.
• Hired 36 high school students through John Hancock's (a subsidiary of Manulife) Dr Martin Luther King (MLK) Scholars Program for summer 2021. Six former MLK Scholars are also returning to the company as college interns and an additional 570 roles were facilitated at non-profits.
• Expanded school recruitment, with a focus on diverse colleges and universities, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US.
• Launched two new partnerships specific to its new grad hiring, ICON Talent Partners and ONYX Initiative, with whom it will be welcoming new graduate hires for summer 2021.
• Partnered with Accenture to launch two learning platforms – Inclusive Leadership and All Against Racism – globally for 3,500 leaders.  Additionally, members of the executive leadership team currently have performance goals linked to diversity, equality, and inclusion, employee engagement, and leadership accountability.