Allianz unveils transitioning at work policy

• Trans employee helped design company-wide guidance to support colleagues on similar journey
• The new policy is being implemented across Allianz, LV=, Petplan and Home & Legacy

As part of its ongoing commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, Allianz Holdings has launched a new Transitioning at Work Policy which will be implemented across the UK business.

The policy includes information on the legal context and protections that relate to transgender employees, as well as key considerations and responsibilities for employees and line managers. Created by the HR and D&I team in collaboration with the Allianz UK and LV= General Insurance (LV= GI) Pride Networks, with support from Stonewall, the policy offers practical guidance, clarification and education.

The Transitioning at Work Policy covers topics such as:
•name changes and official records
•time off for transitioning to attend appointments, treatment and surgery
•dress codes
•pronoun guidance
•recruitment procedures

The policy forms part of Allianz’s Diversity and Inclusion Standard which informs the culture of the business. The standard reflects how employees should conduct and express themselves with a view to creating an environment in which everyone is respected, valued and able to bring their true self to work.

Stephanie Smith, Allianz Holdings chief operating officer and sponsor of the Allianz Global Pride Network, commented: “We’ve always done our best to foster an environment and create a workplace where everyone can thrive but we felt it was important to bring in this new policy to explicitly demonstrate our support for our trans colleagues. It provides clarity for everyone, not only on practical HR matters but also how we can all help to create a safe and inclusive environment. A nationwide survey by Stonewall revealed that 51% of trans people have either hidden or disguised their identity at work for fear of discrimination and we don’t want any of our employees to feel that way.”

Mike Crane, D&I executive sponsor, managing director LV= GI Broker and CEO L&G General Insurance, added: “This launch marks another key milestone in our D&I journey, and supports our ongoing ambition to celebrate the diversity of our people and ensure that we all feel empowered to express ourselves authentically at work. As an employer, we need to ensure that our trans colleagues are able to enjoy an employee experience where they feel validated, accepted, respected and supported. We hope this significant step will help us ensure our workforce is fully diverse and reflects the communities and customers we serve.”

Scarlet Marie Morgan, governance administrator and co-lead of the Allianz UK Pride Network, said: “I knew I worked for an inclusive company and the support I received when I began my transition was incredible. However, there was no formal policy at that time, so to be part of its creation and execution is something I’m very proud of. It’s so important for people to have something to refer to when it comes to transgender individuals; each transitioning journey is different but the guidance this transitioning policy provides will help other transgender people feel brave to come out in the knowledge they are going to be supported in their life and career at Allianz.”

Ceridwen Millington, customer claims handler at LV= GI, said: “I’m grateful to have been treated so empathetically when coming out and I was supported throughout by my senior management. I didn’t really know as an employee how I should move ahead with the process of social transition, and a concrete template to follow would have been really useful. This policy will make coming out easier for employees but also enormously aid any further steps, and I’m pleased that no matter the difficulty of accessing medical transition that I won’t have the impossible challenge of trying to fit it around work.”