SA health insurer among world's best in employee satisfaction survey

Metropolitan Health Group, a subsidiary of MMI Holdings Limited, the newly merged Metropolitan and Momentum entity, has joined a handful of companies worldwide as one of the best places to work, according to the UK-based organisation, Investors in People (IiP).

IiP is an internationally recognised standard of good practice and a quality award for those organisations that can meet its strict criteria. In South Africa about 800 companies have used IiP as a business tool to improve staff retention, open communication and assist with change management.

Looking after staff makes sense

Cosette van Aswegen, managing director of IiP South Africa, said the interview-based survey had assessed the employee experiences and feelings towards the company and management of Metropolitan Health Group staff at every level.

"What this means is that employees feel they are listened to, their input taken seriously and they in turn are willing to go the extra mile to ensure the company comes over well and makes a good impression on clients," she said.

According to van Aswegen the benefits of attaining IiP status is a skilled and motivated workforce who, through their productivity, make the business profitable giving it a competitive advantage.

IiP approved businesses also have improved staff retention, resulting in more skilled staff. Communication in these businesses is good enabling them to manage change effectively. At the end of the line the customer is the biggest beneficiary, as employees understand their product and provide more efficient and valued service.

Not the end of the journey

The results of the survey have positioned Metropolitan Health Group among a handful of major corporations worldwide that have been highlighted by IiP as the top global employers. Blum Khan, CEO of Metropolitan Health Group said he was "enormously proud" of this achievement.

"This is not the end of our IiP journey. We need to actively maintain and improve our standards with specific focus on the recommendations made by the IiP assessors in their final report. Over the next four weeks we will get the ball rolling again," he said this week.

The merger of the two companies means MMI Holdings is now the third-largest life insurer after Old Mutual and Sanlam, with an embedded value of R30 billion, 15 500 staff and total assets under management of R400 billion.