Aflac Inc Coursework Example

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Introduction
Aflac Inc. is amongst the most notable organizations globally. The business holding company incorporated in 1973 undertakes activities involving life insurance and supplemental health. These are programs administered and marketed by the American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac), its subsidiary (Aflac.com). As an insurance business, its activities are spread in Japan and the US. The firm is one of the top voluntary insurers at workplaces in the US. As such, it has been the recipient of several awards. These commendations are also brought about by the fact that it is dedicated environmental sustainability, workforce diversity, ethics, governance and philanthropy (Sabharwal, 198). In the year 2007, Aflac Inc. was the recipient of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for an eleventh time consecutively. This makes it the only insurance-related firm to receive such an award since the launch back in 2007 (Aflac.com).
The organization has managed to find and adopt an association between enhanced financial performance and commercial, ethical operations. In regard to this, Aflac Inc. makes utility of ethical means as a way of furthering its industrial leadership. The executives at the firm posit that an establishment of an ethical culture involves more than merely the corporate social responsibility (CSR) undertaken by other firms. This is an undertaking that requires stakeholder participation creating a collaborative effort amongst the employees, clients, management and the shareholders.

As such, the organization tends towards keenness in ensuring that an ethical culture is created and supported. This is on top of the key roles played by CSR in the market dynamics.
In any business organization, ethics play a major role (Sabharwal, 199). The code of ethics emphasizing values such as honesty, respect, teamwork, and responsibility is one of the essential policies at Aflac. The staff at this firm is perpetually encouraged to carry out business endeavors on the basis of the ethical values. One of the effects is a rendering of services to the policyholders as a corporate team. This is achieved only through open and honest communication among the involved employees. In addition to this, there is employee training aimed at enhancing their skills at treating all with respect and dignity. This is effective since it creates a workplace full of positive and free from discriminations of all kinds. Also, it is worth noting that this has an overall effect of incorporating diversity within the organization. This is because dignified employees lead to an offing of equal opportunities for all at all firm levels. On client management, the firm’s practice and procedure ensure there is upheld privacy thus safeguarding sensitive client data.
The firm’s standards of ethics are aimed at four groups: employees, customers, citizens and the shareholders. In this regard, Aflac deals with its clients in a timely and responsible manner in that any validated claims are promptly paid to the clients as compared to settling with the hospitals or doctors (Aflac.com). This is a strategic move that ensures its business dealings are transparent whilst upholding integrity. In addition, Aflac ensures that its employees have conducive working conditions with all the necessities for effectiveness. One of the policies at the firm aims at building up diversity. This reflects itself in employee satisfaction and minimal discrimination related tensions. Motivated employees are driven by results. In addition, the firm has policies that ensure there are equity and fairness amongst its shareholders. These are one of the firm backbones and as such need to be responsibly treated with dignity.
On its duty to the environment and natural resources, the firm has programs in place intended for the protection of resources and establishment of environmental sustainability through communal assistance. Through communal, volunteer and educational activities, Aflac has devoted itself to the cause of a reduction of the carbon footprint. The SmartGreen program is an example of its endeavors at such (Aflac.com). This is a program that aims at the creation of technologies, procedures, and policies grounded on environmental friendliness. In addition, it is also instrumental in the wellbeing and general health of the populace within its regions of operation. As such, Aflac ensures the products it is associated with, during operations or service delivery, have none or minimal negative environmental effects both in the present and in the future.
Additionally, Aflac’s environmental policy facilitates the creation of a balance between stakeholder requirements, those of employees, sales force and the policyholders while at the same time appreciating its mandated role towards the international community. Other than the reduction of carbon footprint, the SmartGreen program also guarantees an efficient utilization of resources. This is achieved through the assistance of the workforce in their efforts so as to have effective agents when it comes to natural environmental matters. Again, the program is inclusive of instruments facilitating policyholders’ responsibility towards their natural surroundings. Its corporate efforts at environmental conservation and protection have seen Aflac to become the recipient of Dow Jones Sustainability Index award for a sixth time (Aflac.com).
As an environmentally friendly firm, the management of the firm has instituted measures towards energy conservation. In the year 2007, the firm cut its electricity consumption by 46%. With regard to this, the corporate buildings were restructured in order to incorporate efficient techniques in support of energy conservation. This was additionally supported by policies governing the operations of cooling and heating equipment for the achievement of conservation maximally. Furthermore, there has been a reduction in waste and disposals through a shift onto paperless technologies. Programs directed towards the less privileged members of the society have been implemented in a philanthropic stance towards societal wellbeing. This is in spite of being an insurance related business. As such, the firm has undergoing programs in support of children and families with cancer-related challenges. Donation of resources and mobilization of funds to cover their therapy and hospital bills is an example of its strategic effort on such CSR (Aflac.com).
Conclusion
From the study, it is evident that the company management has been focal on Aflac’s business ethics. As such, there have been measures put in placed laying emphasis on honesty, integrity teamwork, diversity, and environmental responsibility. The safeguarding of client information and service through concerted efforts are an indicator of adherence to the code of ethics. Besides, Aflac’s efforts on environmental protection are evidence of the firm’s dedication towards ensuring a better world for all. This is in addition to its CSR activities aimed at assisting individuals in the society. Programs such as SmartGreen and corporate energy conservation measures are concerted efforts put in place by the management for conservation both within and without. Therefore, it can be seen that Aflac, as an organization, facilitates the creation and continuity of an ethical culture in its corporate structure, leadership, CSR, and governance.
Works Cited
Aflac.com “Sustainable Habits for a Sustainable Company” Aflac, 2018, Https://Www.aflac.com/about-Aflac/Corporate-Citizenship/Sustainability.aspx.
Sabharwal, Meghna. “Is diversity management sufficient? Organizational inclusion to further performance” Public Personnel Management 43.2 (2014): 197-217.