Recruitment, training and performance appraisals

In 2009, AEGON recruited 2,308 new employees worldwide[1], down from 5,450 the year before. Most of these employees were hired to replace existing staff leaving the company.  

On average, vacant positions were filled within 29 days, unchanged from 2008, though individual country unit rates varied widely. Each vacancy attracted an average of 75 applicants, up from 22 the previous year.

 

All AEGON companies have measures in place designed to attract and retain the best employees. These measures are vital to the long-term health of the company as a whole. At the core of AEGON's policy in this area is the need to offer attractive and flexible benefit packages. Measures vary from country to country, but include:

 

  • Personal and career advancement
  • Business and language training
  • Reimbursement of tuition fees
  • Mentoring and coaching programs.

 

AEGON often works with recruitment agencies to find the best possible candidates for vacant positions. The company also acts on findings from employee satisfaction surveys and exit interviews to improve benefits and working conditions for staff.

AEGON encourages employees at all levels to take part in formal skills and development programs. Training sessions cover topics such as customer service, product knowledge, business writing, compliance and sales. Most of AEGON's country units grant employees time and, occasionally, financial assistance to pursue individual projects such as language training or higher education related to their work at the company. In the United Kingdom, AEGON has a specific 'talent mapping process', which links training to individual requirements and career development.

 

Percentage of workforce taking part in formal skills and capabilities programs:

 

2009

2008

Change

Senior management

91

79

+15%

Middle management

86

82

+5%

Other employees

82

80

+2.5%

 

AEGON's training programs 2009

 

2009

2008

Change

Amount spent on training

 

EUR 12.5 million  

EUR 19.9 million

-37.2%

Average amount spent on training per employee

 

EUR 440

EUR 645

-31.8%

Average number of days spent on training

 

4.02 days

4.19 days

-4.1%

 

Percentage of workforce subject to regular, standardized performance appraisals

 

2009

2008

Change

Senior management

100%

91%

+10%

Middle management

98%

97%

+1%

Other employees

98%

97%

+1%

 

In the United States, where just under half AEGON's global workforce is located, appraisals include a 'corporate responsibility' component, which assesses employees' compliance with company values, rules and procedures, including the Code of Conduct.

 

[1] This figure refers to new hires only. It does not include employees taken on as a result of mergers or acquisitions.