COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, a leading
provider of supplemental insurance in the U.S., was recognized for
driving positive change in communities by the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce Foundation's Citizens Awards program. Aflac was honored as
the Best Corporate Steward in the Large Business category for its
dedication to philanthropic causes, implementation of sustainable
practices, and prioritization of diversity, equity and inclusion in
the workplace. The prestigious Citizens Awards program
highlights purpose-driven businesses that are a force for good in
society.
Aflac Wins Top Corporate Citizenship Award for its Commitment to
Diversity, Philanthropy and Social Good
"Aflac's has a history of being there for people when it matters
most, which we do by offering high-quality products and services to
customers, creating a great place to work for our employees,
supporting the wellbeing of our communities and providing strong
returns for our shareholders," said Aflac Chairman and CEO
Dan Amos. "The turbulence of the
pandemic has strengthened our resolve to achieve and improve upon
this mission. We believe companies are judged not only by the
products and services we provide, but who we are and how we conduct
ourselves. Every day we leverage our talent, resources and
operations to leave a lasting impact on those around us."
In 2020, Aflac employees volunteered more than 10,000 hours and
gave $400,000 to the Aflac Cancer and
Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Aflac's independent sales agents
donated nearly $6.7 million from
commission checks. Aflac has contributed more than $155 million to the Center to date, caring for
more than 8,000 children with cancer and blood disorders.
Every year, Aflac invests $3
million for its My Special Aflac Duck® program, a
comforting robotic companion for children with cancer. To
date, more than 12,000 ducks, each valued at $200, have been delivered to children free of
charge – providing emotional support as they navigate
treatment. Beginning in early 2022, Aflac will expand its
successful My Special Aflac Duck program to meet the
specific needs of children with sickle cell disease, an inherited
blood disease that disproportionately affects the African American
community.
The racial unrest in 2020 brought the conversation around
diversity, equity and inclusion to the forefront, which sparked
Aflac to build on its 65-year history fighting for social justice.
The company implemented a Social Justice Committee and additional
diversity training for employees. In fact, according to internal
surveys, 91% of employees believe Aflac has created an environment
where people with diverse backgrounds can succeed. In 2020, more
than 54% of Aflac's philanthropic expenditures went toward minority
causes, including a $25 million
investment in the Black Economic Development Fund. In addition, the
company spent approximately $39
million with diverse suppliers, a 58% increase from the
previous year.
Proof of Aflac's positive impact extends to the environment.
Through energy conservation efforts beginning in 2007, Aflac U.S.
saved more than $20 million in
electricity costs. Aflac became carbon neutral in 2020 for
Scopes 1 and 2 by reducing emissions and by purchasing renewable
energy credits and carbon offsets.
"Aflac embodies what it means to be a force for good in
communities," said Marc DeCourcey,
senior vice president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
"Their culture of compassion coupled with their innovative programs
is helping build a more inclusive and sustainable future for
all."
To learn more about the U.S. Chamber Foundation's 2021 Citizens
Awards, visit the Citizens Awards webpage.
For more information about Aflac and its commitment to serving
communities, visit Aflac's Corporate Citizenship webpage, and to
learn more about the company's environmental, social and governance
efforts, visit esg.aflac.com.
About Aflac Incorporated
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:
AFL) is a Fortune 500 company helping provide protection to more
than 50 million people through its subsidiaries in Japan and the U.S., where it is a leading
supplemental insurer, by paying cash fast when policyholders get
sick or injured. For more than six decades, insurance policies of
Aflac Incorporated's subsidiaries have given policyholders the
opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. Aflac Life
Insurance Japan is the leading provider of medical and cancer
insurance in Japan, where it
insures 1 in 4 households. For 15 consecutive years, Aflac
Incorporated has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the
World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2021, Fortune included Aflac
Incorporated on its list of World's Most Admired Companies for the
20th time, and Bloomberg added Aflac Incorporated to its
Gender-Equality Index, which tracks the financial performance of
public companies committed to supporting gender equality through
policy development, representation and transparency, for the second
consecutive year. To find out how to get help with expenses health
insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at Aflac.com or
Aflac.com/Espanol.
About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The U.S.
Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening
America's long-term competitiveness. It educates the public on the
conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how
business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and
creative solutions that will shape the future.
Media contact – Darcy Brito,
706.320.2358 or dbrito@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact – David A.
Young, 706.596.3264 or dyoung@aflac.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aflac-wins-us-chamber-of-commerce-foundation-top-corporate-citizenship-award-for-its-commitment-to-diversity-philanthropy-and-social-good-301429624.html
SOURCE Aflac Incorporated