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Wellington, February 1, 2018
Cigna New Zealand has joined a growing group of New Zealand businesses offering a safe and welcoming workplace for people of diverse gender and sexual orientation, as recognised by achieving the Rainbow Tick accreditation.
Head of Human Resources Mel MacPhee said that Cigna described this achievement as “A great way to start to 2018.”
“We continually strive to create the kind of workplace in which our people can flourish both personally and professionally. Gaining this accreditation recognises our commitment to fostering a psychologically safe environment where you can be yourself and individual differences are valued,” she said.
Annual evaluation
The Rainbow Tick Programme includes an annual audit to evaluate the level of LGBTTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Takatapui and Intersex) inclusion in a business, its internal policies, staff training, engagement and organisational support, external engagement and monitoring.
“Studies show that about one third of LGBTTI employees hide who they are at work and one in four have heard negative comments such as ‘that’s so gay’ while at work,” Rainbow Tick Director Michael Stevens said.
“We spend a third of our lives at work and hence it is important for the wellbeing of this community that people feel comfortable being themselves at work,” he said.
Opportunity to Review
Ms MacPhee said that accreditation will gave Cigna an opportunity to review internal policies and processes.
“We want to make sure that we are creating an environment that is inclusive and safe for our staff who identify as part of the rainbow community, and to change any policies or procedures that may have been inadvertently undermining this. The training provided as part of the process was valuable. It opened up some interesting discussions at senior leader and board level and provided greater awareness of the different challenges these groups can face,” she said.
Mr Stevens said, “It is great to see another organisation being awarded the Rainbow Tick. Cigna have shown genuine commitment and sincerity in its work to become Rainbow Tick certified and has demonstrated this with its high level of engagement in the process.”
About Cigna New Zealand
Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand Ltd provides health, wellness and sense of security solutions. The Company was established more than 90 years ago and its sound knowledge of the markets protects more than 500,000 New Zealanders with insurance policies.
Cigna’s products and services include Life, Funeral, Income Protection, Trauma, Accidental Death, Cancer Cover, Travel and Bill Protection Insurance. These products available to partner companies to retail in their own names.
Cigna New Zealand is part of Cigna Corporation, a Fortune 500 company and has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating which was given by A M Best Company Inc.
Website: www.cigna.co.nz; Social Media: Facebook and Twitter.
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Photograph (Supplied) taken on January 31, 2018 shows (from left) Cigna New Zealand Chief Executive Lance Walker, Michael Stevens (with the Certificate of Accreditation) and Mel MacPhee.
