MetLife has announced its commitment to a landmark United Nations compact to promote gender equality in the workplace.
The insurance giant recently became the first US-based insurer to sign the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles, a series of commitments created by UN Women and the UN Global Compact to promote gender equality in the workplace and society.
The principles include commitments to establish high-level corporate leadership for gender equality; treating all women and men fairly at work, as well as respecting and supporting human rights and non-discrimination; ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all workers; promoting education, training, and professional development for women; implementing enterprise development, supply chain, and marketing practices that empower women; promoting equality through community initiatives and advocacies; and measuring and publicly reporting on progress to achieve gender equality.
Michel Khalaf, president and chief executive officer at MetLife, recently highlighted the signing of the compact at a diversity conference in New York City sponsored by the American Council of Life Insurers, the Life Insurance Council of New York, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.
At the conference, Khalaf also announced the formation of a MetLife Gender Equality Team that will partner with the UN to identify any gaps – in recruitment, retention, promotion, compensation, and succession planning – and work to close them.
“MetLife’s support for gender equality reflects our purpose of building a more confident future for all,” said Khalaf. “Empowering women is more than a core value for us – it’s a key element of our business strategy. Partnering with the UN will help us strengthen our focus and take our commitment to the next level.”
