Axa UK & Ireland is to broaden its volunteering policy to include humanitarian charities involved in the Ukraine conflict.
Under the plans the insurer is enabling employees to take up to three days per year paid leave to volunteer and support charities helping the people of Ukraine.
Axa has also donated €6m (£5m) to its partner non-governmental organisations working to support the Ukrainian people, and it has partnered with Unicef to provide essential healthcare, education and other support to those affected by the conflict. Axa employees can also make personal donations to Unicef.
It also confirmed that home insurance customers and landlords of let residential properties who wish to offer temporary accommodation to refugees within their homes do not need to make Axa aware and cover will not be affected.
Business insurance customers with hotels or guest accommodation will also be able to support refugees under their current insurance policy and welcome them into their properties, but should let the insurer know if they would like to offer support in this way.
Claudio Gienal, chief executive officer of Axa UK & Ireland, said: “The news coming out of Ukraine has been very worrying and upsetting and, as the crisis moves at pace and worsens, it highlights just how fragile our world can be.
“My thoughts are with the people affected in Ukraine and beyond. I hope this terrible conflict is resolved peacefully and swiftly.
“We have now made it possible for our people to show their support in a number of ways and hope that the volunteering days will help colleagues take action if they wish do so. We also want to reassure our customers who would like to support refugees that they can do so without additional requirements.”
