Company Selection & Summary

Name
Institution
Course
Date
Aflac Inc.
Introduction
Aflac Inc. is one of the notable organizations in the world that is committed to ethical behaviors in all its commercial activities. The firm is the top voluntary insurance organization at the workplaces in the US (Aflac Inc.). Aflac Inc. has received various prominent awards for its dedication to environmental sustainability, philanthropy, workforce diversity, governance, and ethics (Sullivan et al., 1). For instance, in 2017, it received the World’s Most Ethical Companies award for the 11th successive time. It is the only insurance firm across the globe to clinch the accolade since its launch in 2007 (Sullivan et al., 1).
The organization has adopted the association between ethical commercial operations and enhanced financial performance. In fact, the company utilizes ethics as a way to further advance its leadership in the industry. The top executive of the company appreciates that establishing an ethical culture entails more than having a corporate social responsibility (Sullivan et al., 1). Indeed, it requires participation from all the stakeholders including employees, managers, customers, and shareholders. Aflac Inc. pays close attention in creating and supporting an ethical culture. Therefore, corporate social responsibility (CSR) forms a key role in the manner in which companies are perceived in the market (Aflac Inc.).
Ethical behaviors play a crucial part in the success of the organization. Aflac’s code of ethics is emphasizing values such as responsibility, integrity, honesty, fairness, respect, and teamwork.

The directors, officers, and employees are encouraged to engage in business based on these values. For instance, teamwork is important because it helps the workers to serve the policyholders as a team (Aflac Inc.). To achieve this, they are required to communicate in an honest and open manner. Employees are trained to handle everybody they interact with the same dignity and respect that can demand from them. In so doing, they are able to build a positive workplace free from discrimination. Additionally, the organization has incorporated diversity; hence, it enhances equal opportunities at all levels of the firm. More importantly, the firm has Privacy Procedures and policy, which oversee the disclosure and use of customer information. Its policyholders’ personal information must be protected because they have entrusted the firm with sensitive data (Aflac Inc.).
More importantly, the firm is determined to use ethical standards when dealing with its four stakeholders such as shareholders, employees, customers, and the citizens. Firstly, it applies ethical business when dealing with customers. For instance, it pays the coverage promptly to the policyholder rather than paying to a doctor or hospital (Aflac Inc.). Additionally, all the claims are paid immediately. It ensures that principles of integrity, transparency, and honesty are upheld. Furthermore, it offers an effective working environment to its staff. It is renowned for promoting diversity in its workforce since it is against discrimination. The firm also ensures that its shareholders are treated fairly.
Aflac Inc. has launched programs intended to protect the earth and assists communities to realize environmental sustainability. The company is devoted to lowering the carbon footprint through volunteerism, communities’ activities and education (Aflac.com). Through Aflac SmartGreen program, the company tries to adopt the most environmentally friendly technologies, procedures, and policies. The company is also devoted to the wellbeing and health of the populace where it operates and its surroundings. Therefore, it ensures that the materials used each day do not have negative effects on the environment now and in the future (Aflac.com).
Although its commercial environmental effects are negligible because of the nature of its operations, it is always pursuing inventive strategies to lower the impacts on the surroundings. The SmartGreen philosophy highlights the business assurance to intelligently selecting, utilizing and disposing of materials every day (Aflac.com). The initiative is subdivided into five major areas, which include strategic procurement and sourcing, employee engagement, waste management, facilities management, and business operations.
The organization’s environmental policy ensures that business balances the requirements of shareholders, sales force, employees, and policyholders while appreciating its responsibility to the international community. Apart from lowering the carbon footprint, the Aflac SmartGreen Program guarantees proficient utilization of resources and assist its workforce to be effective agents of the natural environments (Aflac.com). It also provides instruments that facilitate its policyholders to lessen their effects on the surroundings. Due to its efforts in protection of the environment, the company is a sixth-time winner of the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Aflac.com).
Aflac Inc. participates in the management of environmentally friendly amenities. It also instituted measures for saving energy. For instance, since 2007, it has cut consumption of electricity by 46 percent. In this regard, its buildings are restructured and it has executed energy-saving techniques. For instance, the firm cooling and heating structures are turned on during off periods (Sullivan et al., 1). Furthermore, it has also reduced the generation of wastes by using paperless technologies in its transactions. Aflac Inc. also implements the program of helping the disadvantaged members of the society through its philanthropist program. For instance, it supports families and children suffering from cancer by donating resources. It mobilizes resources, which are used to pay for hospital bills and covering for therapies (Aflac Inc.).
Conclusion
Aflac Inc. has invested in practicing ethical businesses. Its code of ethics emphasizes responsibility, integrity, honesty, fairness, respect, and teamwork. For instance, it safeguards the privacy of the personal data from its customers (Aflac Inc.). In addition, it focuses on protection of the environment through Aflac SmartGreen Program, which is designed to enhance sustainability (Sullivan et al., 1). The organization fosters the culture of ethics in its innovation, leadership, governance, and corporate social responsibility.

Work cited
Aflac.com “Sustainable Habits for a Sustainable Company.” Aflac, 2018, https://www.aflac.com/about-aflac/corporate-citizenship/sustainability.aspx.Aflac Inc. “Code Of Conduct.” Investors.Aflac.Com, 2015, http://investors.aflac.com/corporate-governance/code-of-conduct.aspx.Sullivan, J et al. “Ethisphere Says Aflac Is A World’s Most Ethical Company For 11Th Time.” Prnewswire.Com, 2018, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ethisphere-says-aflac-is-a-worlds-most-ethical-company-for-11th-time-300422256.html.