Proud to Be Me at work
At IAG, we embrace authenticity and transparency, being brave enough to let go of who we think we are supposed to be and embracing who we really are. We share our stories, so we feel connected, understood and valued.
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is a key enabler driving creativity, innovation and customer intimacy. It’s one way that we can help build safer, stronger and more confident communities, while delivering on our purpose – to make your world a safer place.
For Ashleigh Cullen, IAG’s Māori Employee Action Group in New Zealand has contributed to greater engagement in Māori culture across the workplace.
“When I first heard about the group I thought, what’s this about? I assumed it was just focused on our work to develop policies for Māori who don’t have insurance. I joined because I know heaps of people in that situation and wanted to learn more.
"At my first meeting I found something very different. Here was a place where our people – Māori and non-Māori – were expressing their interest in Māori culture. Conversations were about how we support our Māori employees and customers, respect cultural beliefs and practices, and genuinely reflect Māori culture within IAG.
"The presence of the group and passion of those involved have given me a renewed sense of confidence in my cultural identity, and it’s had a big effect on the way I interact with customers. I think before I joined the group I was almost a little hesitant about demonstrating my culture, including speaking Māori, despite having strong support from my colleagues. Now, when a customer greets me in Te Reo, I respond in kind.
"My team has also become even more engaged in Māori culture. They enjoy me sharing the stories from our group meetings. They’re using Māori greetings when talking to each other and approach me to discuss translations for words we frequently use in our conversations. It’s been great to see that appreciation of Māori culture come alive.
"For me the most powerful thing about the group is the confidence it’s given me to be myself. I’m really excited about its potential and where we take it from here so that we’re not only supporting our Māori employees and customers, we’re demonstrating our commitments more visibly to a larger audience.”
IAG’s Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging strategy focuses on inclusive leadership that challenges unconscious bias, promotes flexible working and gender and ethnic diversity, and gives our people a voice through employee-led groups such as our Māori Employee Action Group and Pride @ IAG.