Responsible Business
Unum is a values-driven and purpose-led organisation and we’re committed to doing the right thing for our customers, our employees, our communities and the environment.
Being a socially responsible and sustainable business is a key tenet of our “We are Unum” values.
We’re therefore committed to providing a positive and effective contribution to the communities in which we live and work whilst minimising our impact on the environment and the planet.
Key areasOur community engagement activities in the UK centre on three key areas:
Equitable pathways (education)
We support organisations that provide education for all young people within our local communities to prepare the future workforce.
We equip our employees to make a positive impact through mentoring relationships and pro-bono/skill sharing activities.
Healthy, inclusive and sustainable communities
We educate and engage our workforce on key societal issues within our communities. This includes supporting organisations that positively impact healthier, inclusive and sustainable places to live and work in a fair and equitable society that has room for everyone to thrive.
Environment (climate change)
We are committed to protecting our environment and reducing our carbon footprint.
As part of this, we continuously seek opportunities to reduce energy, water and paper consumption, as well as cutting waste and business travel. We support organisations that positively impact our local environments, engaging and educating our local communities whilst also providing green volunteering opportunities for our employees.
EcologiUnum UK also encourages our staff to be mindful about the environment
As part of this, in our annual flexible benefits window in June 2021 we introduced Ecologi, an optional benefit that allows employees to make either a one off or monthly donation to compensate their carbon footprint by funding climate projects and planting trees.
By August 2021, Unum employees had planted more than 6,000 trees and offset more than 20 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in the process.
Charity partnershipCharity partnerships
Every 2 years, our employees select a national and local charity partner (for our Basingstoke and Dorking offices) who are the focus of our employee fundraising activities.
In 2022 and 2023, we’re proud to be supporting:
National charity partner: Rewilding Britain
Rewilding Britain are the first and only countrywide organisation in Britain focusing on rewilding and the amazing benefits it can bring to our communities, nature and climate. Their vision is to see a mosaic of species-rich habitats restored and connected across at least 30% of Britain’s land and sea by 2030.
Basingstoke charity partner: Naomi House & Jacksplace
Naomi House and Jacksplace provide expert hospice care and a range of services including respite, family support, end of life care and bereavement support. This support is given to more than 600 life-limited children, young adults and their families from across central southern England.
Dorking charity partner: Queen Elizabeth’s Foundation for Disabled People (QEF)
QEF have over 85 years’ experience of providing innovative services that support disabled people of all ages to increase their independence and live the life they choose.
*Unauthorised use of the charity names listed above is prohibited.
Giving backOur initiatives
The Unum Community and Social Justice Fund
We partner with charities and voluntary organisations to make our communities stronger, sustainable and thriving places to live and work. One way we strive to do this is through our corporate giving programme: The Unum Community and Social Justice Fund.
This fund awards grants of up to £5,000 for community partnership projects aligned to at least one of our Community focus areas, which help to achieve the following aims:
- Help to build resilient, more equitable and inclusive communities
- Develop projects which will have significant, tangible impact across the UK (priority will be given to charitable organisations located near to our main offices in Surrey and Hampshire)
- Build long-term relationships between our employees and local communities
- Develop opportunities for our employees to volunteer in the local community and enhance teamwork, communication and project management skills
If you encounter any difficulties accessing our application site, or have any questions about applying, please email UnumUKCSR@unum.co.uk.
Payroll giving
Unum offers all employees the chance to give back to an approved charity partner via payroll, allowing them to increase their donation in real terms by donating pre-tax and also matching each employee’s donation pound for pound.
We’re proud that this has won us the Gold Payroll Giving Quality Mark every year since 2013, which recognises that at least 10% of our employees donate regularly to charities through payroll.
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