Code of Business Ethics
Code of Business Ethics
MetLife’s Code of Business Ethics helps us live our purpose with every customer every day. It helps us navigate a changing external environment while meeting the highest professional standards. We regularly update the Code to reflect prevailing norms, market conditions and updates to internal policies, among other issues.
The Code is the foundation for our Success Principles and represents our core values for conducting business. Our Success Principles articulate the behaviors that MetLife colleagues are expected to exhibit and those that help us deliver on our purpose and execute on our strategy. Our Code of Business Ethics is available in 18 languages and applies to all employees. Each year, colleagues pledge that they commit to and comply with the Code.
In the Code, we confirm our commitment to conducting business fairly, honestly and openly, and a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of bribery and corruption that may be committed by MetLife colleagues or a third party acting for or on behalf of MetLife. We also maintain supplemental codes, including the Financial Management Code of Business Ethics and the Supplier Code of Business Ethics.
Code of Business Ethics training encourages colleagues to have an ownership mindset, and to speak up and escalate concerns when they arise. More than 99% of employees completed the 2023 Code of Business Ethics training—again exceeding our 95% target.
Mandatory Training
Code of Business Ethics courses form part of MetLife’s mandatory training program. Code-related topics in 2023 mandatory training included anti-money laundering and sanctions, privacy and data protection, fraud prevention, gifts and entertainment, sales practices and ethical business conduct. We have enhanced our tracking of mandatory training to encourage on-time completion by colleagues. In 2023, colleagues achieved a 99.4% completion rate across mandatory courses, including:
- 29 mandatory courses (10 global and 19 targeted);
- 13.5 courses per employee on average; and
- 13 hours of learning per employee on average.1
Raising Concerns and Speaking Up
We understand that a supportive culture means cultivating an environment in which colleagues feel empowered to speak up. We encourage colleagues to lead by example, holding themselves and others accountable by raising issues and concerns. Colleagues can speak up using the reporting channel that is most comfortable for them, and they can report anonymously, unless otherwise required by law.
- Speak Up Tool, a desktop icon available to all colleagues;
- Global Investigations Unit;
- Ethics & Fraud HelpLine, available globally;
- Compliance Risk Management;
- Human Resources Business Partners and Employee Relations;
- Direct supervisor, next-level supervisor and any other level of management; and
- Local or Regional Helpline or Whistleblowing Contact.
Customer and external stakeholder concerns and grievances can be reported through MetLife customer service departments or the stakeholder’s relationship manager. Anyone can report potential ethics, fraud or misconduct concerns through the Ethics & Fraud HelpLine—either online or by phone. Concerns are escalated, as appropriate, to Human Resources, Legal, Risk, Compliance, the Executive Leadership Team or to MetLife’s Board of Directors.
MetLife takes all reported concerns seriously. Each one is reviewed, investigated and addressed, as appropriate. When warranted, MetLife takes appropriate disciplinary or corrective actions, including termination of employment for employees and termination of a work assignment or other business association with MetLife for non-employees and other third parties. MetLife prohibits any form of retaliation against a colleague for raising a concern in good faith or assisting with an investigation regarding a potential violation of our Code, our policies, laws or regulations.
