Health and safety matter

An environment where health and safety matter

Over the past year, AXA’s people and culture have both been decisive in enabling the Group to continue successfully navigating through the pandemic, with a particular focus on the health and s-being of its employees.

In October 2023, AXA has announced the launch of its ‘We Care' program, a comprehensive care-program to support all employees across life stages and in the moments that matter.

‘We Care’ reflects an important progression in our existing offering and enables AXA to progress further on its commitment towards a healthier, more inclusive, and supportive global workplace culture.

All AXA entities worldwide will implement the program by the end of 2024, in compliance with local practices and legislation. This program defines a minimum global offering; some AXA entities may offer benefits above this minimum depending on local context. 

Among the four pillars of ‘We Care’, two of them are particularly dedicated to the health & safety of our employees which are:

1. For employees impacted by domestic or sexual violence  
   AXA stands against domestic, intra-familial and sexual violence and ensures to offer support to any employee who may be impacted, offering a dedicated contact person in each entity, psychological support, specialist support services and flexible working arrangements. AXA will also provide 5 days fully paid leave for those affected by such circumstances. 
2. For health and well-being
   In November 2020, AXA launched a global health and well-being program named “Healthy You” to improve employees’ health and well-being. In 2021, this program was extended to include additional care and support services with the objective of fully deploying it in all entities around the world by the end of 2023.

To promote prevention, the “Healthy You” Program provides a complete in-person medical check-up every four years for all employees aged 40 and above and a digital medical check-up for all employees every two years.

Every employee also benefits from an annual flu vaccination campaign and annual “Health Days” organized to foster awareness and better prevent health-related risks.

For a better access to care, AXA provides employees with access to an Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), with 24-hour mental health and psychological support as well as medical teleconsultation services bringing doctors closer to patients. Employees have also access to digital services focusing on prevention and raising awareness on topics related to health and well-being.

To further support employees affected by critical illness, AXA offers a second medical opinion service to ensure employees receive the best treatment. In the event of cancer, AXA provides financial support with a minimum coverage of 75% of medical expenses as well as a psychological assistance service. Employees will also find cancer-related information they need in one single place: from benefits and services to their entitlements in their country.

The Healthy You program will now expand to include by the end of 2024 a supportive working environment for employees experiencing menstrual health conditions, menopause, or andropause. 

For 2023, 760,520 days (-0,7% compared to 2022; +7% compared to 2021) of sickness absence days and 12,905 days (+21% compared to 2022; +29% compared to 2021) of work-related accidents absence days were reported.

Reinforcing Mind Health Support

Since 2020, AXA has ensured an Employee Assistance Program with 24-hour mental health and psychological support across all geographies. AXA is also undertaking to remove the stigma and bias on mental health issues through open discussions and shared stories. Successful initiatives have included a “Walk and Talk” campaign that promoted the benefits of walking while catching-up with co-workers to support health and well-being and in 2022 the ‘Great Reconnection’ conference. Aimed at addressing stress, the conference focused on social relationships, their positive impact on well-being, and why we need to be intentional in building and sustaining them.

2023’s Global Health Days focused on physical activity, nutrition, and mental health. Local entities made the days their own, with AXA buildings hosting physical trainers and other well-being and health prevention activities. Educational resources were also made available to all AXA employees with a video series explaining how and why to adopt a healthy lifestyle. And podcasts, featuring internal and external experts exploring “Mind Health Matters” from the perspective of an individual, a family, a workplace and the society as a whole, were published on internal and external platforms. The topic of cognitive health was revisited in a Group level conference titled Caring for your Aging Parents where speakers taught an online audience of thousands how to support relatives and caregivers and to protect their own mental health.

AXA also continues to commit to educating employees at all levels. With a series for managers designed to raise awareness of common conditions and how to provide support, and in 2021, a Mental Health Leadership Program designed for the Partner Group (the top 50 leaders) in partnership with Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. These Partner ambassadors now support awareness raising by sharing personal and inspiring stories at global and local events.