COLUMBUS, Ga., April 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the
leading provider of voluntary insurance at the work site in
the United States and one of
FORTUNE's 2014 Blue Ribbon companies, announced today that Aflac
Japan has been honored for its efforts on behalf of women in the
workplace by Japan's Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry. The company was among just four
insurers – and the only American insurer – recognized as part of
the Diversity Management Selection 100 project.
According to the selection committee, Aflac was chosen based on
its commitment to actively recruiting and activating female
potential in the workplace; the number of women in managerial
positions; and providing opportunities for all employees,
regardless of gender, for career advancement.
"Over the last 40 years in Japan, Aflac has worked to promote diversity
and expand opportunities for women in the workplace," Paul S. Amos II, president of Aflac and head of
Global Operations, said. "We have always strongly embraced the role
of women, not only as workers, but as leaders of our company."
Aflac is in step with overall efforts in Japan to promote women's participation in the
workforce. As part of his country's growth strategy, Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe is supporting efforts to
increase opportunities for women. The endeavor, known as
"Womenomics," reflects Japan's
recognition that the country has an untapped resource in its highly
educated and skilled female population.
Aflac Japan has supported the role of women in the workplace
since its inception in 1974. Of its 16 founding members, nine were
women. Amos noted that women currently hold 17.6 percent of the
company's leadership positions, and his goal is to increase the
number to 30 percent by 2020.
"We are deeply honored to be recognized for our diversity
efforts by Japan's Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry," Amos said. "We're committed to
fostering workplace diversity and maintaining an environment in
which every employee can fully achieve his or her potential."
Last year, in the lead-up to celebrations marking Aflac's
40th year of Japan
operations, the company reaffirmed its commitment to diversity by
establishing a leadership development program offering women
additional training, coaching, mentoring and networking
opportunities. The goal is to encourage women to view themselves as
valued employees and groom them for present and future leadership
positions.
ABOUT AFLAC
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt,
Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For nearly six decades, Aflac
insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to
focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leading
provider of voluntary insurance at the work site. Through its
trailblazing One Day Pay(SM) initiative, Aflac U.S. can receive,
process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims in one
business day. In Japan, Aflac is a
leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and insures 1 in 4
households. Aflac individual and group insurance products help
provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For
nine consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere
magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2015,
Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies
to Work For in America for the 17th consecutive year.
Also, in 2015, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most
Admired Companies for the 14th time, ranking the company No. 1 in
innovation for the insurance, life and health category. Aflac
Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One
Day Pay(SM), visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.
Media contact – Catherine Blades, 706.596.3014; FAX:
706.320.2288, or cblades@aflac.com.
Analyst and investor contact – Robin Y.
Wilkey, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX: 706.324.6330, or
rwilkey@aflac.com
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SOURCE Aflac