Responsible Governance
Code of Business Ethics
MetLife’s Code of Business Ethics (Code) represents our core values for conducting business and articulates the behaviors that MetLife colleagues are expected to exhibit to deliver on our purpose and execute on our strategy. Our Code is available in 19 languages and applies to all employees. Each year, employees pledge to 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 on behalf of MetLife. We also maintain supplemental codes, including the Financial Management Code of Business Ethics and the Supplier Code of Business Ethics.
Our Code encourages employees to have an ownership mindset, and to speak up and escalate concerns when they arise. 98% of employees completed the 2024 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 2024 mandatory training included anti-money laundering, trade and economic sanctions, privacy and data protection, fraud prevention, gifts and entertainment, sales practices, personal trading, responsible use of AI, information security and ethical business conduct.
In 2024, colleagues achieved a 98% completion rate across mandatory courses, including:
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Raising Concerns and Speaking Up
MetLife is proud to foster a culture where colleagues take responsibility for their actions, adopt an ownership mindset and feel empowered to raise issues and concerns. We encourage colleagues to lead by example, holding themselves and others accountable, and to raise issues and concerns. Colleagues can speak up using the reporting channel that is most comfortable for them. Reports can be made anonymously to the extent permitted by law.
Reporting channels include:
- Speak Up Tool, a desktop icon available to all colleagues on MetLife-issued Company computers;
- Global Investigations Unit;
- Ethics & Fraud HelpLine, available to anyone globally online or by phone and administered by a third party;
- Compliance Risk Management;
- Human Resources Business Partners and Employee Relations;
- Direct manager or 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.
MetLife takes all reported concerns seriously. Each one is reviewed and addressed, as appropriate. When warranted, MetLife takes appropriate disciplinary or corrective actions, up to and 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 anyone for raising a concern in good faith or assisting with an investigation.
