Aviva wins Diversity Award

Aviva has received an Opportunity Now award for its `Think Again` workplace diversity campaign. The award was presented by Carolyn McCall, chief executive of Guardian Newspapers Ltd. late last week, at a dinner held in London. Opportunity Now is a part of Business In the Community.

Aviva was the winner of the `City Award`, recognising businesses within the City of London for commitment to innovation and progress in creating gender-inclusive workplaces. The award was accepted by members of Avivaís cross-functional global diversity team.

Avivaís innovative `Think Again` diversity campaign recognises the need to support women within its workforce and the importance of a fair and equitable workplace for all.

Avivaís diversity strategy was informed by employee focus groups, survey data and 360 degree feedback, providing Aviva with a rich pool of data on employee attitudes and experiences. Avivaís campaign includes; the development of a senior womenís network conference, gender review of talent management practices, improved policies on workplace flexibility, and the development of a ground-breaking diversity DVD, and on-line game and website aimed at communicating diversity issues to staff.

Avivaís `Think Again` diversity DVD has already won two global awards at the New York Film and Video festival and the on-line game won a Clarion award.

Speaking about the Opportunity Now win, Avivaís group strategy and development director Mark Webb said that the award marks an eighteen-month period of sustained focus on developing and communicating the `Think Again` diversity message to Avivaís 59,000 staff worldwide:

ìIím delighted that Avivaís `Think Again` campaign has received such recognition. The campaign has seen the culmination of a sustained cross-functional effort which has included human resources, marketing and communication teams, directed by Avivaís group diversity director Louella Eastmanî.

Mark says that, while it is nice to receive public acknowledgement for the `Think Again` campaign, Avivaís focus remains committed to embedding its gender-inclusive policies, making them a core part of how Aviva operates: ìThrough this campaign Aviva has made sustained changes to policies affecting our employees to ensure that they are inclusive, fair and flexible to the needs of Avivaís diverse workforce. The `Think Again` diversity campaign is just part of our commitment to becoming `employer of choice,î said Mark.

Norma Jarboe, Director of Opportunity Now, said that Aviva had shown great determination, vision and commitment in creating a work culture which is inclusive and diverse.

ìThey have clearly acknowledged the business benefits of creating a workplace which taps the talents of both men and women. If more employers followed the lead of Aviva, the UK economy, their businesses and their staff could benefit immensely, said Norma.