IAG, one of Australia’s Happiest Places to Work
Connecting people and the work they do to IAG’s purpose
IAG has been touted by ‘The Australian’ newspaper as having one of the happiest workplaces in Australia. With award winning workspaces (top 5 in the region per 2023 Leesman Survey) and leading employee benefits, IAG is proud that its standout culture is being recognised.
Christine Stasi, IAG’s Group Executive People Performance & Reputation says IAG’s organisational happiness stems from connecting people and the work they do to IAG’s purpose – ‘to make your world a safer place’.
“We instil pride and create meaning for our people in how their work connects with our purpose, helping our customers and serving communities during their times of need.”
Christine Stasi
IAG Group Executive People Performance & Reputation
“We encourage people to be their authentic selves, provide meaningful work that makes a difference, and drive a culture of purpose and connection.”
Bronze accredited by the Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI), IAG fosters a culture of inclusion and belonging, aspiring for its people, customers and communities to be seen, accepted, embraced and valued for who they are.
IAG’s employee engagement programs and talent retention initiatives are aimed at creating a cohesive and connected workplace. “While these programs are constantly evolving, they all ladder up to our purpose and help to elevate our values,” Stasi says.
In addition to flexible working arrangements and standard offerings expected from a large ASX listed organisation, IAG has an expansive range of benefits and employee discounts covering insurance (up to 50% discount on personal insurance lines) through to self-care (i.e. fitness, clothing, vitamins). Leave options can be tailored, whether that be annual, extended or family leave (12 months).
The company also provides extensive volunteering opportunities, with a focus on helping communities reduce their risks and prepare for natural hazards. Employees can participate in volunteer work with charities of their choice or through organised volunteer days with partners such as the Australian Red Cross. Uniquely, IAG offers up to 20 days a year for paid volunteering work with Emergency Services agencies.
There are mental health and wellbeing programs to support employees and their families at all life stages including;
- Thrive, with tailored content, resources and challenges to educate, motivate and inspire people to be their best
- First Nations and Māori Wellbeing and Cultural Safety Support Programs
- Mental Health Peer Support Program AU & NZ, providing internal support across the organisation
- Sonder Employee Assistance Program, confidential mental health, medical and personal safety support
- Circle In, a digital hub to support people through every stage of parenting or their caregiving journey
But principally, IAG’s culture centres around recognition and appreciation, says Stasi.
“Celebrating our people is an important part of our culture. We commemorate long-term tenures, and acknowledge significant contributions. We recognise effort and celebrate the big and small.”
With over 600 members in the 25-year club, it’s an organisation that breeds loyalty, underpinned by a thriving and well-connected internal community with employee network groups covering many interest areas.
The welcome mat is rolled out for new starters who receive a welcome box to their home address – providing a peek into the culture that awaits. And to foster learning and development, the IAG Academy delivers in full, with a broad range of learning experiences that build competency and cultivate career pathway options.
Stasi reflects that it’s the support from IAG’s Group Leadership Team (GLT) which sets the culture from the top down.
“Our GLT are visible, approachable and actively involved in driving workplace engagement, recognising contributions at all levels of the business and embedding organisational values through their leadership behaviours. They proactively advocate for, host and facilitate days of significance, and amplify moments that matter to our people and organisation.”
It’s perhaps little wonder then, why IAG is considered one of the happiest places to work.
