New Workplace Possibilities Centers and Virtual Tour Showcase Solutions That Change the Way Employers Prevent and Manage Disability

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Standard Insurance Company and The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York (“The Standard”), today announced at the WorldatWork Total Rewards 2011 Conference & Exhibition in San Diego the opening of its remodeled Workplace Possibilities? Centers and the launch of a virtual tour of the spaces. The centers simulate different industry-specific settings with examples of custom ergonomic accommodations that can help employers re-imagine their workplaces, keeping employees at work and productive. The Workplace Possibilities Centers are located at The Standard offices in Portland, Ore., and White Plains, N.Y. The virtual tour is available on the Workplace Possibilities blog at www.workplacepossibilities.com, and is on display at The Standard’s Booth #739 at Total Rewards.

“The Workplace Possibilities Centers give people a firsthand look at what an ergonomically correct workplace looks like,” said Alison Daily, director of Workplace Possibilities. “What’s helpful about the centers — both on-site and online — is that they allow employers to visualize several innovative accommodations for employees that can remove barriers to productivity, keep them on the job and reduce the risk of leave.”

The Workplace Possibilities Center in Portland features four workspaces representing different types of work environments: office/call center, industrial, hospital and classroom. Visitors will gain exposure to different products, such as an ergonomic computer mouse or a mechanical lift, and learn how important these tools can be to employees’ physical and mental health. Several of these kinds of products will be on display at the Total Rewards booth, including an adjustable desk, adjustable monitor arm and noise-canceling machine.

“When repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and back strains are some of the leading workplace injuries in the country, it’s crucial to learn how to prevent them,” said Daily. “The Workplace Possibilities Centers not only show different products that can help, but also give a depth of understanding in why and how to use them.”

The Standard’s Workplace Possibilities team leverages its relationships with leading ergonomic product developers to obtain better pricing and enable faster delivery to businesses. According to Daily, this allows best practices to be shared in one place, giving The Standard’s customers better service.

About the Workplace Possibilities program

Workplace Possibilities is a unique, proactive approach to helping employers prevent and manage disability in the workplace. By identifying opportunities to keep employees who may be at risk of disability on the job and get those who go out on disability back to work sooner, the program helps employers realize rapid and measurable reductions in disability-related costs. For more information, please visit www.workplacepossibilities.com.

About The Standard

The Standard is a marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. and subsidiaries. Insurance products are offered by Standard Insurance Company of Portland, Ore. in all states except New York, where insurance products are offered by The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York of White Plains, N.Y. Investment services are offered through StanCorp Investment Advisors of Portland, Ore. Product features and availability vary by state and company, and are solely the responsibility of each subsidiary.

The Standard
Corporate Media RelationsBob Speltz, 971-321-3162
Director, Public Affairs
bob.speltz@standard.com
or
Investor RelationsJeff Hallin, 971-321-6127
Assistant Vice President, Investor Relations
jeff.hallin@standard.com
or
Bader Rutter & Associates
General Media RelationsChristina Yunker, 262-993-9871 (cell)
cyunker@bader-rutter.com

Source: Standard Insurance Company