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AIA Philippines: Elevating workplace excellence through certification

Learn how AIA Philippines transformed its workplace culture to achieve Best Places to Work certification.

AIA Philippines
AIA Philippines

AIA Philippines, is one of the country’s premier life insurance companies. It continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement through various initiatives and achievements.


  • Employee Wellbeing

AIA Philippines, in collaboration with BPI AIA, reaffirmed its support for young athletes by sponsoring the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) in January 2025. This sponsorship underscores the company’s commitment to promoting sports and healthy lifestyles among the youth.

How do you actively engage your employees?

AIA Philippines actively engages its employees through various initiatives that foster collaboration, well-being, and professional growth. Some key engagement efforts include:

  1. AIA WOW and Puso, Gawa, Makulit Culture – A unique workplace philosophy that encourages passion, action, and creativity in daily work.
  2. Employee Wellness Programs – Offering health and wellness initiatives, including mental health support, fitness programs, and medical benefits.
  3. Career Development & Learning – Providing upskilling opportunities, leadership training, and mentorship programs to support career growth.
  4. Employee Engagement Activities – Organizing town halls, team-building events, and social activities to strengthen teamwork and camaraderie.
  5. Recognition & Rewards – Celebrating employee achievements through awards, incentives, and performance-based recognition.
  6. Diversity & Inclusion – Promoting an inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered.
  7. ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance - Encouraging employees to participate in community outreach programs, sustainability efforts, volunteer initiatives, and CSR.

These initiatives help create a positive and engaging work environment where employees feel motivated, connected, and inspired to contribute to AIA Philippines’ success.

What are the most significant HR challenges faced by your industry today?

AIA Philippines, like many companies in the insurance industry, faces several significant HR challenges, including:

  1. Talent Acquisition & Retention – The demand for skilled professionals in insurance is high, but attracting and retaining top talent, especially in sales and actuarial roles, remains a challenge.
  2. Digital Transformation & Workforce Adaptation – With the rise of digitalization, employees must continuously adapt to new technologies, AI-driven processes, and evolving customer expectations.
  3. Employee Engagement & Well-being – Maintaining high engagement levels while ensuring employees’ mental and physical well-being is an ongoing challenge, particularly in high-pressure roles.
  4. Regulatory Compliance & Training – The insurance industry is highly regulated, requiring continuous employee education on compliance, data privacy, and ethical practices to meet evolving legal standards
  5. Diversity & Inclusion – Building a diverse and inclusive workforce while addressing generational differences, remote work preferences, and work-life balance concerns is essential for fostering a positive workplace culture.
  6. Adapting to Hybrid Work Models – Managing a hybrid workforce, ensuring collaboration, and maintaining productivity while meeting employees’ expectations for flexibility is a key HR challenge.
  7. Performance & Productivity Management – Aligning individual goals with company objectives, particularly for a distributed workforce of agents and corporate employees, requires robust performance tracking and motivation strategies.

AIA PH continuously invests in employee development, digital upskilling, engagement programs, and strategic workforce planning to stay competitive in the evolving insurance landscape.

Ellen Imasa
Ellen Imasa

Chief Human Resource Officer

Could you share details about the teamwork activities offered to your employees?

AIA Philippines fosters a culture of collaboration and engagement through various teamwork activities designed to strengthen relationships, enhance productivity, and boost employee morale. Here are some key initiatives:

  1. Team-Building & Offsite Activities
    • Regularly organized offsite gatherings provide employees with a chance to unwind, bond, and build stronger working relationships.
    • Activities include outdoor challenges, problem-solving games, and leadership workshops that encourage teamwork.
  2. Cross-Department Collaboration Projects
    • Employees are given opportunities to work on cross-functional projects, encouraging knowledge-sharing and fostering innovation.
  3. Sports & Wellness Programs
    • AIA PH organizes interdepartmental sports tournaments such as basketball, volleyball, and badminton to promote team spirit.
    • Wellness initiatives like group fitness classes, yoga sessions, and fun runs encourage a healthy lifestyle while building camaraderie.
  4. Employee Engagement Events
    • Puso, Gawa, Makulit events celebrate company culture with interactive activities, team competitions, and themed celebrations.
    • Special events, Year-End Parties, and Anniversary Celebrations bring employees together in a festive environment.
  5. Volunteering & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Activities
    • Employees work together on outreach programs, such as tree planting, charity fundraising, and community development projects.
    • These initiatives foster teamwork while making a meaningful impact on society.
  6. Leadership & Development Programs
    • Team-based leadership training equips employees with collaboration, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
    • Mentorship programs pair employees with experienced leaders to encourage professional growth and teamwork.
  7. Regular Town Halls & Coffee Sessions
    • Leadership encourages open communication through town halls, where teams collaborate on company goals, share feedback, and celebrate successes together.

By implementing these activities, AIA Philippines ensures a dynamic and engaged workforce, reinforcing its commitment to teamwork, innovation, and employee well-being

Reflect on your experience with the Best Places to Work certification journey.

Embarking on the certification journey has been a transformative experience for AIA Philippines, reinforcing our commitment to excellence, continuous learning, and industry leadership. This journey has not only strengthened our capabilities but also deepened our collective sense of purpose as a team.

Commitment to Excellence

Achieving certification is more than just meeting standards—it is a testament to our dedication to quality, compliance, and innovation. Each requirement challenged us to refine our processes, enhance our efficiency, and uphold the highest industry standards.

Collaboration & Teamwork

This journey has highlighted the power of collaboration. Departments came together, aligning efforts, sharing knowledge, and supporting each other to ensure a smooth and successful certification process. It was a true demonstration of Puso, Gawa, Makulit in action—working with passion, executing with excellence, and embracing creativity.

Overcoming Challenges

Like any meaningful pursuit, the certification journey was not without challenges. From rigorous assessments to process enhancements, we encountered obstacles that tested our resilience. However, each challenge became an opportunity for growth, pushing us to adapt, improve, and evolve as a stronger organization.

A Culture of Continuous Improvement

This milestone is not the finish line—it’s a stepping stone toward even greater achievements. The certification serves as a reminder that excellence is an ongoing journey, requiring constant learning, adaptation, and innovation. As we move forward, we remain committed to upholding these standards and finding new ways to create value for our employees, customers, and stakeholders.

Looking Ahead

With this certification, AIA Philippines reaffirms its leadership in the insurance industry. More than a badge of recognition, it represents our shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of Filipinos. Together, we will continue to challenge limits, embrace growth, and drive impact—one milestone at a time.

What advice would you give to someone looking to implement the certification process for their organization?

Achieving a Best Places to Work certification is more than just an accreditation—it’s a commitment to fostering a thriving workplace culture that prioritizes employee well-being, engagement, and growth. Based on AIA Philippines’ journey, here are some key insights for companies looking to implement this certification process successfully:

1. Build a Strong Employee-Centric Culture
• A certification is a reflection of your workplace culture. Prioritize employee experience by creating a supportive, inclusive, and growth-driven environment.
• Implement initiatives that align with employee needs, work-life balance, and career development.

2. Gain Leadership Buy-in and Support
• A successful certification journey starts from the top. Leaders should actively champion workplace transformation and communicate its importance to employees.
• Engage leadership in HR initiatives, employee engagement efforts, and policy improvements.

3. Conduct Honest Employee Feedback & Engagement Surveys
• The certification process often involves employee surveys. Ensure that feedback mechanisms are transparent, and employees feel safe sharing their honest opinions.
• Use insights from the surveys to identify gaps and implement real, actionable changes.

4. Prioritize Well-Being & Work-Life Balance
• Companies that rank as the best places to work genuinely invest in employee well-being. Offer programs that support physical, mental, and emotional health.
• Consider benefits such as flexible work arrangements, mental health support, and wellness initiatives.

5. Strengthen Career Development & Learning Opportunities
• Employees seek career growth. Provide upskilling, mentorship programs, and leadership training to help employees feel valued and invested in their future.
• A strong learning and development (L&D) strategy contributes to higher engagement and retention.

6. Recognize & Reward Employees
• Appreciation goes a long way. Implement reward and recognition programs that celebrate achievements, contributions, and milestones.
• Employees who feel recognized and appreciated are more engaged and motivated.

7. Foster Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• A great workplace embraces diversity and inclusion. Create an environment where employees feel heard, respected, and empowered regardless of background.
• Implement DEI initiatives that promote equal opportunities for all employees.

8. Be Transparent & Communicate Openly
• Employees appreciate transparency. Open communication channels between leadership and employees build trust and a sense of belonging.
• Regular town halls, feedback sessions, and open-door policies contribute to an engaged workforce.

9. Continuously Improve & Adapt
• Workplace excellence is an ongoing journey. After certification, continue to assess, refine, and enhance initiatives to keep up with evolving employee needs and industry trends.
• Stay agile and open to feedback to maintain a thriving workplace culture.

10. Make It More Than Just a Certification
• The Best Places to Work certification should not be the end goal—it should be a reflection of your company’s commitment to people-first leadership.
• Focus on building a sustainable, purpose-driven work environment where employees feel empowered to grow, contribute, and thrive.

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