Building a culture of respect: Creating an inclusive work environment

In today’s ever-evolving business landscape, the ability to attract and retain top talent stands as a crucial determinant of organisational success. As Hong Kong’s society evolves, it becomes increasingly imperative for the private sector to actively contribute to creating an inclusive work environment. This proactivity not only showcases Hong Kong as a leading international cosmopolitan city but also sets a precedent for fostering a culture of respect and acceptance for all individuals.

Many studies highlight the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the workplace

A survey conducted by an international consultancy firm in 2023 revealed that only half of employees in the Asia-Pacific region feel comfortable at work, demonstrating the need for organisations to prioritise inclusivity and diversity. The firm suggests that creating a workplace that fosters belonging is crucial for talent retention, productivity, and wellbeing.

Another survey by a local recruitment agency emphasised the link between inclusivity and workplace wellbeing, stressing the importance of addressing biases in hiring and promotions through strategies such as diversity training, diverse interview panels, and equal career opportunities. By valuing and supporting all employees, organisations can cultivate a more engaged, innovative, and successful workforce. This not only reduces turnover rates, and the costs associated with hiring and training new employees, but this also drives innovation and efficiency within the workplace.

Initiate inclusive practices starting from the recruitment process

To promote diversity and inclusion in the work environment, it is essential to start from the recruitment process and extending through employee onboarding. By doing so, we can lay the foundation for an inclusive working environment that values and respects diversity.

“We strongly advocate the view that fostering a more diverse, fair, and inclusive culture within and beyond the workplace enables us to generate lasting value for the entire community we serve.” – Cecilia Chang, CEO, Generali Hong Kong

Generali Hong Kong has proactively taken steps to cultivate an inclusive working environment through various initiatives. For example, the company has implemented gender identity-inclusive policies, allowing employees to specify their gender identity on administrative forms. This initiative has garnered trust and support from many employees, who feel a keen sense of belonging to the company.

Moreover, we see that the commitment to providing equal benefits for all employees, including parental leave entitlement, medical benefits, and marriage leave, available to both heterosexual and same-sex partnerships, is crucial for employee wellbeing and retention. By offering these benefits to all Generali Hong Kong’s employees regardless of sexual orientation, we strive to demonstrate our commitment to equality, fairness, and inclusivity. We hope all our employees feel valued and respected when they have access to benefits that cater to their individual needs, leading to increased job satisfaction and loyalty.

Understand and show mutual respect for the LGBTQI+ community

Generali Hong Kong has recently launched a series of educational and awareness videos addressing LGBTQI+ topics. The series features a range of topics, including transgender individuals, same-sex couples, and the role of allies in the community. This initiative’s main goal is to foster a more inclusive society by promoting understanding and respect in an engaging and heartfelt manner. Since our premiere in July, the video series has already garnered over 3.5 million views in total. Raising awareness on LGBTQI+ topics is crucial not only for nurturing a culture of respect and acceptance but also for providing people with the opportunity to express and share their thoughts.

At Generali, we are dedicated to being the “Lifetime Partner” of our customers, communities, and employees. We believe that happy colleagues lead to a productive company, and the significance of establishing an inclusive workplace cannot be overstated.

Promoting inclusivity is a key focus to our commitment to being a Responsible Employer. We firmly believe that maintaining an open-minded approach is crucial for fostering creativity, which can contribute to a company’s success.

We strongly advocate the view that fostering a more diverse, fair, and inclusive culture within and beyond the workplace enables us to generate lasting value for the entire community we serve. “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I)” is not merely a slogan or trend; it represents the foundation upon which we must all act. While we are committed to embedding DE&I principles in our daily work and business practices, we also aim to lead by example in promoting this culture of inclusivity throughout the wider community. Our goal is to ensure that every individual has equal access to opportunities, feels empowered to take ownership, challenge biases, and drive transformation with a human touch.

As a female leader in a male-dominated industry, I recognise the importance of leadership, competence, confidence, empathy, and inclusivity. I aspire for Generali to serve as a model showcasing that barriers can be overcome, inspiring individuals, particularly those from marginalised backgrounds, to pursue their aspirations and create opportunities for themselves and future generations.

About the author: Cecilia Chang is Chief Executive Officer of Generali Hong Kong.