Corporate Responsibility

European Road Safety Charter Our Company signed the European Road Safety Charter on Thursday, 3 March, 2011. The European Road Safety Charter, which was launched in 2004 by the European Commission, is a European civil society platform consisting of companies, associations, research organisations and public authorities which are committed to carrying out specific actions and sharing their best practices wishing to solve the road safety problems in their daily environment. The Charter has more than 2,000 signatories. Upon signing the Charter, each member makes a public commitment for specific actions. AXA INSURANCE is harmonized with the Group’s commitment with regard to risk prevention and promotion of road safety, utilizes the experience in this field and, in cooperation with “Panos Mylonas” Road Safety Institute implements a comprehensive action plan for the sensitization and awareness of the young.

The Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility ΑΧΑ INSURANCE became a member of the Hellenic Network in September 2010. The aim is the continuous updating of the Company for Corporate Responsibility actions; the promotion of the Company’s activities towards the wider market and the networking with other businesses and collective bodies to promote collective offers programs and joint treatment of social problems. The Hellenic Network for Corporate Social Responsibility is a business-driven non profit organisation established in June 2000. The members are currently more than 130 companies a 6 business bodies. The Network is also a national partner of CSR Europe.

United Nations Global Compact The United Nations Global Compact is a political platform and a practical framework for the businesses that are committed to sustainability and responsible business practice. More specifically, there are 10 basic principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment protection and anti-corruption. The Global Compact is not a regulatory body but a volunteer initiative based on public accountability, transparency and disclosure for the regulation implementation. The UN Global Compact became thus the first standard for corporate responsibility on global scale. AXA Group has been an active member since 2003.

 

Geneva Association: Kyoto Statement on climate change The AXA Group signed the Kyoto Statement of the Geneva Association. This statement is a significant commitment of the biggest insurance companies worldwide confirming the deep concern for climate change and its impacts on the insurance sector. The Geneva Association is comprised of 90 CEOs from the most important insurance companies worldwide. The aim is to detect the basic trends and strategic issues for which the insurance company plays an important role or affect the insurance sector. At the same time, it develops and encourages initiatives related to the development of risk management. The Kyoto statement confirms that climate change and its economic and social impacts cause serious concern in the insurance sector.

The insurance market is committed to play a significant role in dealing with the risks from climate change. More specifically, the leaders of the world’s largest insurance companies are committed –towards their customers, policy makers, UN Climate Change Conference (COP15), and the insurance industry – to undertake strong actions, among which:

• Enhancing of research capabilities
• Provision of innovative solutions by funding relevant research programs and offering tools for the implementation and development of products in order to decrease gas emission levels
• Design of insurance products to support low-carbon energy development projects and to help attract investments to such projects
• Support of policy makers to deal with the risks from climate change
• Communication to our customers of the climate risk levels, possible strategies of mitigation and adaptation and quantification of the financial benefits of those strategies.
  
  

The statement is a summary of the means and the position the insurance industry has in providing services and solutions for the risks of climate change and states that the actions should always be jointly assumed with the other stakeholders in an adaptation framework.

Caring for Climate The AXA Group signed the "Caring for Climate", The Business Leadership Platform, a platform for the Volunteer Action of companies wishing to play a leading role in the climate change issue. Jointly with the UN Global Compact, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), it has been designed for the promotion of practical solutions and the shaping of public attitudes and public policy. The AXA Group has been participating in this initiative since July 2008, believing that climate change requires constant and collective action and reinforced partnerships between of the private and public sector. The actions that AXA has already undertaken to address climate change reflect the reality of this commitment.

 

United Nations Environmental Program Finance Initiative The AXA Group has been a member of the UNEP FI since 2002. It is a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector. This global network comprises 160 members, banks and insurance organisations, to understand, promote and implement the adoption of the best environmental practice and sustainable development at all levels of activities of the financial institutions. The AXA Group participates in work groups and relevant publications.

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) The Carbon Disclosure Project is an independent non-profit organization providing the largest data base with basic corporate information about the climate change all over the world. AXA has supported the Carbon Disclosure Project since 2003, participating in the research conducted by CDP based on a questionnaire that was sent to 500 top listed companies. AXA, as part of the FTSE 500 index, has filled in CDP questionnaire since 2003. AXA has been a “member” of CDP since 2006 and co-signs the publication and presentation of the research results.

 

AXA is a responsible employer with the aim of pursuing the employee’s commitment. To achieve this target means creating a workplace based on the values of AXA which cultivate the difference of the other and equal opportunities for all, promote the employees’ participation, encourage professional development and support the employees’ welfare.   

Employees’ respect for the workplace

• Equal opportunities for all
• Respect of diversity
• Work in an environment of integrity and encouragement of the business partners to do the same
• Policy against harassment in the work place
• Promotion of constructive dialogue between AXA, the employees and the agents
• Support of the employees’ efforts to achieve a healthy balance between life and work
  
  

Management Model that pursues the development of the employees

AXA tries to secure that all employees have:

• the quality of information about basic priorities,
• clear personal targets,
• the required support by the Director to develop and enhance personal skills and know-how,
• fair systems based on the performance for reward and recognition.
  
  

 

 

Manager’s path for proof

It is a manual including all the instructions, tools and practices that a manager needs to manage all the “moments of truth” with his/her team. The way these moments are managed has a significant impact on the employees’ commitment and encouragement. The managers, therefore, have an excellent opportunity to “revise” the way they manage their teams and become ambassadors of truth. The main objective is to provide detailed instructions, tools, tips, check-lists for all the procedures of Human Resources.


Measurable commitments

A company-wide survey for the employees has been carried out since 1993. Upon the conclusion of each research, the Company determines and applies actions aiming at improving the performance at the workplace and the quality of the working environment.


International commitments

Upon signing the UN Global Compact, AXA is committed to comply with the 10 principles, including the ones related to human rights and labour standards: freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, elimination of discrimination, effective abolition of child labour and elimination of discriminations in respect of employment and occupation.


A strategic priority: equality of opportunities and respect of diversity

According to the strategy for sustainable development, AXA has admitted equal opportunities of employment as one of its strategic priorities which should be covered by a specific and coordinated policy and procedure supervised by the Human Resources Directorate of the Group.


Significant Distinctions

ΑΧΑ Greece has achieved 2 very important distinctions in 2010-2011.
In 2010, AXA Greece was distinguished in the Best work place 2010 competition which ranked AXA on the 5^th position between the top companies whose workplace is in Greece. This success is even bigger if we take into account that AXA has been active in the country since 2007 and that it has managed to rank higher compared to other companies known for their work environment and with many years of presence.


ΑΧΑ Greece achieved another distinction participating for the first time in the institution of Awards of Human Resources held by KPMG in February 2011. AXA Insurance stood out among many companies in the category “Personnel Selection and Retention” presenting an excellent manual with all the initiatives adopted for Human Resources. 

• Guarantee for equal employment opportunities for all employees based on value and ability
• Information and increase of sensitization for diversity
• Fostering of diversity as the responsibility of all executives employees
  
  

 

 

The progress of AXA regarding the diversity and their inclusion is monitored by means of the annual report by the president of the Group, the higher executives and the Coordinating Committee of Human Resources. This report mainly focuses on actions and the progress in information, inclusion in the work place and the shaping of a diverse labour force. The results of this report are presented in the Sustainable Development Governance Committee.

The behaviour of the administration teams is also a decisive factor regarding performance. Their leadership is of essential importance for the attitudes and behaviours of the personnel. They undertake, therefore, a guiding role setting an example, developing a customer-oriented culture, empowering people and encouraging the cooperation between the teams.

 

Personal evaluation, training and mobility

The annual performance evaluation is a significant moment giving the opportunity to employees and directors to set the skills of the development plans. It represents, also, an official moment for the revision of the employees’ commitment, participation and performance.

The level of investments on training both for sales as well as for the administration teams has started to gradually increase.

In a continuously developing Company, success depends on the ability to cultivate a culture embracing the idea of adaptation and based on the double meaning of training and mobility. AXA’s employees ask their Directors to allow them acquire and develop fundamental skills required to achieve their targets and develop professionally. Thanks to the global activity of the Group, employees have the opportunity for an international career.  

 

AXA University

In 1986, the Group set up a corporate university aiming at promoting the action, the values and the management principles of AXA by means of programs for executives from all the companies of the Group worldwide. AXA University, which is part of the Group’s Human Resources Department, has programs focusing on the key challenges of the Group and the management practices and values. AXA University also develops special programs adapted to each business family.

 

Privileges

ΑΧΑ provides a dynamic environment oriented towards development, competitive remuneration packages and many other privileges. Among them:

Medical/pharmaceutical and hospital coverage for the employees and their families

Pension Plan

Events held forthe employees’ families 

Training and management at the distribution networks

ΑΧΑ also offers its agents training, according to the special requirements of the distribution networks.

 

Health and safety

Health and safety conditions at AXA are compatible with national regulations. As a company of financial services, the health and safety risks at the Group are relatively few. The Company, however, carries out specific initiatives according to the priorities set by the Human Resources policy.

 

Innovation Awards

It is a corporate initiative aiming at the recognition and reward of innovative efforts. The awards comprise a part of a wider program called “change towards innovation”, focusing on the development our ability to be innovative. The target is the recognition of innovation at all levels of the Company and the commitment and encouragement aiming at an increasing value for the customers and the Company.

“Box of Ideas & Thanks”

This corporate recognition tool provides the opportunity for a proposal to be made or a new idea regarding corporate matters to be expressed or even to send a thank-you message acknowledging a model behaviour/ contribution of a colleague. Every three months, the competent committee collects and evaluates the submitted ideas and thanks. The best ones are rewarded. 

Balance between professional and personal life

The Company has developed the following series of initiatives aiming at achieving and maintaining the balance between professional and personal life:

Quitting Smoking Program: Cooperation with an outside organisation wishing to support the employees that want to quit smoking.

Exercise program: Exercise sessions by a specialized gymnast

Flexible work hours: Flexible work hours for all employees depending on their personal needs combined with the corporate needs.

Pain-free labor program: Cooperation with an outside organisation for pain-free labor by means of special programs, exercises and techniques for pregnant colleagues.

Discounts for various products and services: Cooperation with various shops for discounts and offers for the Company’s employees.

 

AXA Academy

The Company set up the academy with the experienced employees, in the role of teacher, disseminating knowledge to the employees under training, in the role of student. The aim is to develop technical knowledge, mutual exchange of knowledge and experiences, fostering personal initiative and human relations.  

Respect for the Client

For an insurance company, respect for the client includes the quality of transparent and accurate information provided, as well as a duty to provide sound advice and guarantee confidentiality at all times, fair treatment for all, and honest advertising messages.

 

1) Professional Code of Ethics

AXA has drawn up a professional code of ethics in order to harmonize the ethical practices governing client relations, based on the regulations of the country. The professional code of ethics is also based to the following fundamental principles: quality advice, transparency, non-disclosure of confidential client information, fair competition, and fighting fraud and money laundering. The code of ethics also contains a policy statement on how to handle staff complaints.

2) Handling of customers’ complaints

AXA provides their customers with the means to express and resolve any disputes that may arise with the company, mainly through the Complaint Department.

 

3) Simple an clear communication

AXA promotes the responsibility in customers’ relations through simple and clear communication as well as the promotion of reliable programs.  

Best practices

• Fire insurance policies: Decrease of the pages of the renewal policy by 80% wishing to simplify the procedure for the policy holders.
• Car insurance policies: Simplification of the terms, simple and comprehensible language, without fine print, wishing to increase the satisfaction of the policy holders.

Business Ethics

AXA adopted its Compliance and Ethics Guide in 2008. The guide defines rules for professional conduct, covers a variety of matters including specific rules concerning conflicts of interest, transactions involving AXA securities, fighting against money laundering, confidentiality and control of sensitive information and data protection and storage. 

AXA Greece has developed ethical guidelines complying with the local regulatory and statutory requirements.

AXA is firmly committed to combating money laundering and terrorist financing. This commitment is enshrined in a charter first drawn up in 2002, which was approved by the management and supervisory board of the Group. In line with this charter, each country, such as Greece, is required to introduce procedures based on certain general principles, on top of applicable local regulations, and to appoint an anti-money laundering officer. The Group Charter is reviewed and adjusted on a regular basis by taking into account international legal and regulatory developments.

 

The role of Internal Control

The role of internal control is to provide independent and objective certainty related to the completeness and effectiveness of internal audit and proposals for the improvement of risk management and performance and the detection of business opportunities.

The Internal Control, along with the board of director, is one of the corner stones of corporate governance of high management and external audit. Due to the unique position of the Internal Audit in the company, the Internal Audit provides the management and auditory committee valuable help objectively ensuring governance, risk management and control procedures.
 

Policy Fraud Audit

AXA is a world leader in financial protection and wealth management and is committed to conducting its business according to the highest standards of honesty and fairness. This commitment to observing the highest ethical standards is designed not only to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations but also to earning and keeping the trust of our customers, shareholders, personnel and business partners.

AXA is committed to fraud control with an emphasis on proactive prevention and detection measures in an effort to reduce opportunities which could lead to fraud. The Group’s approach to fraud control focuses on maintaining a legal and ethical climate which encourages all stakeholders to protect the Company’s assets and address any suspicion of fraud.

This policy is intended to establish certain minimum requirements at a Group level and guiding principles for all AXA companies. Local policies on fraud applied in AXA worldwide can include only certain aspects of the Group’s policy but cannot restrict their field of application unless such restrictions arise from the local laws and regulations.

AXA has a zero tolerance to fraud and must prove its approach for achieving the culture of zero tolerance.

When a fraud is detected, suspected or alleged, AXA will fully investigate the matter and implement measures (e.g. containment of the area under investigation, sanction, police/judicial claim…) to recover and minimize any loss to the Group. Loss may be financial, reputational or regulatory. AXA also considers fraudulent all intentional wrongdoings intended at causing a loss to AXA but detected before the occurrence of such loss. Internal controls will be reviewed in the light of frauds to reinforce mitigation measures.

Business Continuity Management

The Business Continuity Management plan is applied to deal with a serious crisis that could potentially interrupt the Company’s business operation. The Company, understanding its significance, should asses the potential impacts for each operational risk that could interrupt the corresponding operational processes and decide on taking measures that would lead to their mitigation to an acceptable level.

The Business Continuity plan aims at minimizing the impacts that will arise from an incident of major or minor importance in one or more critical operational processes, both in human resources and material resources. It determines all required processes so that the Company can continue its operation, as well as reserve solutions, procedures of addressing emergencies and the corresponding organizational matters.

The business continuity management team of the AXA Group provides the Company with the suitable methodology, the procedures, all necessary resources and a continuous training program and coordination of all involved parties. In order to ensure the active participation of the management, the maturity level of the business continuity plan of each Company of the Group is included in its target setting.

Policy

The Company applies an open-door policy with all candidate suppliers and it is required to take at least three offers from different suppliers. The Company takes into account:

• the price,
• the payment terms,
• the operation, installation and maintenance cost,
• the compliance of offered items with their specifications which should be clear,
• the operability and effectiveness of the goods,
• possible requested homogeneity of the goods with other items that are maybe in use,
• the good performance guarantee and service quality by the supplier,
• the delivery time of the supplies.
  
  

Suppliers’ Registry

The Company keeps a list of approved suppliers according to the goods or services offered. The list of approved suppliers is renewed on an annual basis following the decisions of the Assets Management Directorate. The Company, however, applies an open-door policy with all candidate suppliers and their inclusion in the suppliers’ list is studied.

Maintenance of Quality Relations

By applying the Code of Ethics of the Assets Management Directorate. The code is based on the following obligations: disclosure and confidentiality, justice and competitive offers, neutral approach and objectivity and transparency and traceability.

By adhering to payment terms.

By fostering the dialogue with our key suppliers.

Sale – Destruction – Recycling of Unusable Materials

The material that due to long use or other reasons cannot be used any more, the Company sells, destroys or recycles it after being collected and inventoried and always following the recommendation of a competent Member of the Executive Committee.

The tools of the Assets Management Directorate for Sustainable Development

A questionnaire (in two versions for a product or service) sent to each supplier taking part in the procedure of offer submission. The objective of this questionnaire is not to delete any possible suppliers but to create a mature suppliers’ profile aiming at Sustainable Development and the detection of possible risks. The questionnaire is accompanied by a reference guide in order to help the suppliers to fill it in.

A clause has been included in the agreement with the suppliers on the respect of human rights, environmental commitments and AXA’s commitments. This detailed clause clearly defines that if the supplier does not comply with any of the three fundamental principles of the International Labour Organisation (elimination of forced labour, elimination of discriminations and abolishing of child labour), AXA is entitled to terminate the agreement without incurring any cost. 

Environmental protection commitments

AXA is committed to protecting the environment, both as a responsible insurer and as an environmentally responsible company by:

Enabling its customers to benefit from its environmental risk prevention expertise.

Improving its own environmental record.

Commitments for our direct environmental impact reduction

We are determined to manage our direct environmental impacts by setting up an environmental management system for all the companies of the Group worldwide. This is notably based on an annual reporting system which enables us to optimize the management of our major environmental impacts, including paper, power, and water consumption, as well as the production and recycling of electronic waste. AXA Greece participates by filling in the report on its environmental record every year recording the achieved progress and the sectors to be improved.  

Internal environmental education campaigns

AXA is holding internal training and awareness campaigns on matters of environment, recycling, energy saving, water, paper and eco-mobility.

The Program addresses High School students of selected urban areas in Attica, Thessaloniki and other cities. More specifically, groups of Students that have expressed their interest prepare projects for the environmental problems created by the Means of Transportation in big cities and then present them in local events. In the end, the best project is selected and awarded a prize, while commendations are given to all participating students.


The school receiving the prize for the better project for Ecological Mobility participates in the ECOCITY mission to Brussels, where the students visit the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Commissioner’s Office for the Environment. The teams of the students winning the first prize in each Creation activity (music composition, expression through a work of art, electronic expression and drama expression) are hosted at the ECOCAMP, held by ECOCITY every summer at Kalavryta and the teenagers participate in activities for the Ecology and Traditional Civilization. The young people are given the opportunity to become aware on environmental matters and learn the unique biodiversity of our country.

AXA received an honorary prize by ECOCITY for its participation.

ΑΧΑ has started an organized paper recycling method. Special recycling bins have been put in each office made of 100% recycled material. Special vehicles transfer the material to the EuropeanRecyclingCenter facilities, where a big baling press makes the materials into balls for paper manufacturers in the European Union. For the above procedure the Company is certified.

AFIS (Portable Electric Battery Recycling), AXA has installed at its headquarters a special recycling bin for used batteries which are then collected to be recycled. In this way, the water and the soil are protected from substances threatening for public health. AFIS is the body approved by the Ministry of Environment, Planning and Public Works for the recycling of portable batteries in our country.

Vodafone, with which a comprehensive recycling program for devices, batteries and mobile telephone accessories has been drawn, by putting a collection and management bin of recyclable materials.

Recycling of Appliances SA, the body responsible for the organization and operation of the Collective Alternative Management System of Electric and Electronic Equipment Waste in Greece. AXA has put collection bins for lamp recycling. It also recycles old computers, printers, fax machines etc. 

PPC, with AXA participating in the “Energy Saving” program

Ergastiri: the activities of the non-profit Association of Parents and Friends of People with Special Abilities were financially supported through special events. Furthermore, AXA volunteers participate in the Afternoon Club of the Ergastiri, with real pleasure, sensitivity for the social groups and dedication. Forty eight people with intellectual disabilities over the age of 18 take part in the Afternoon Club, which is a club implementing outdoor programs, mainly in central spots in Athens (walks, museums, cinemas, theaters, etc). The Club aims at the entertainment and socialization of these young people and the organisation and creative utilization of their spare time by means of various activities.  

The Smile of the Child (Hamogelo tou Paidiou): ΑΧΑ participated in a social event held by the Hellenic Association of Insurance Companies in cooperation with the voluntary organisation “The Smile of the Child”. The event aimed at collecting different essential items for the daily care houses and the families supported by the Smile of the Child. By offering even one item, 13 boxes were collected that will help some families facing serious living problems.

The Cerebral Palsy Greece: ΑΧΑ offered 10 computers, 5 wireless phones, 1 double couch, 2 Samsung TV sets and 300 AXA blouses to the Cerebral Palsy Greece. Furthermore, it hosted two persons, one in the Department of Operations and the other in the Human Resources Directorate, who spent one working day with the personnel in order to develop their skills on the use of computers.

Playground painting: the company’s volunteer team painted a game labyrinth, which was full of slogans, at the Army’s Park, Goudi, wishing to offer small children a multi-colour space for playing, contributing at the same time to a beautiful and clean environment. 

 

 

Humanitarian assistance

After the natural disasters in Japan and Haiti, the companies of the AXA Group collected money with the contribution of all Colleagues and Agents as well as of the local Administration. The AXA Group was promptly mobilized setting up a fund doubling the employees’ donations. The amount collected by AXA Greece was given to the Greek Red Cross which undertook a humanitarian assistance campaign to cover the immediate needs of the people afflicted in Japan and Haiti.  

"The Fund supports world class research in these areas by providing institutions with the means of attracting and retaining the leading scientists of today and of next generations. The Fund seeks to support innovative and cutting-edge trans-disciplinary projects, particularly as such projects may encounter difficulties in gaining support elsewhere".

 

Ezra Suleiman, President of the Scientific Council of the AXA Research Fund

 

“We know that 1 million people die every year on the road. This fact makes car accidents one of the main causes of death irrespective of whether it is a mature or emerging market. This is one of the reasons for which the United Nations have characterized safe driving as a target for health in this decade. It is a priority for AXA because it is one of our biggest activities and the role of the insurance company is not only to compensate but also to help in prevention. We have 260,000 people among our customers who are injured every year and unfortunately about 3,500 of them die in car accidents. It is a significant matter for us both from a business point but also from a human point of view. We know from our experience in analyzing behaviours that frequently accidents come from the fact that drivers overestimate their abilities. We believe that sensitization in this matter is a way to combat accidents. We have created, therefore, this electronic training tool as we believe that training is a very important part of our effort in Corporate Responsibility. We want this effort to be real and in order to be real to a certain degree it should be close to the activity, know-how and specialization we have developed to be able really and essentially to contribute to society.”  

The electronic training tool “Safer Driving with AXA” has 3 parts: safety, information and ecological driving.

An electronic training website was set up on “Do it right… because you like it. If you like it, play for your safety at www.kantososta.gr. In this way, the students are more fully informed and test their knowledge in 6 different thematic fields:

• Safety of pedestrians
• Safety of bicycles
• Alcohol and driving
• Speed
• Engine-driven sports
• Prevention
  
  

The aim is to inform and sensitize students maintaining at the same time their interest in a creative, youthful and interactive way, speaking their language as the majority of the victims of road accidents concerns people aged 15-29. The program started in March 2012 and 2,580 students were trained in Attica and Chios up to June. The commitment of AXA and the Road Safety Institute is for three years.  

The objective of the program is to inform about the prevention and timely diagnosis of the disease, which concerns already 1,300,000 citizens with increasing trend. The aim is to approach and inform the biggest possible section of the public. 

The program is in two parts:

• The scientific part is addressed to parents. More specifically, three specialized scientists talk about prevention and timely diagnosis issues and explain in simple words the disease and the new data. 
• The second part is addressed to the training of primary education students by means of a special board and electronic game based on the principles of nutritional pyramid.
  
  

 

www.kartadiaviti.gr

 

AXA Greece is an active member of the Alliance “Roads to the Future” created by the Greek Road Safety Institute (RSI) “Panos Mylonas”. One of AXA’s and RSI’s main partners in the Alliance “Roads to the Future” is the Greek company Attiki Odos, which cooperates with RSI from 2009. The partnership focuses on the experiential training of young students on road safety through the program “In traffic with safety” that runs under the Auspices of the Greek Ministry of Education. Since 2009 55.000 students have been educated.