The Standard Recognizes Excellence in Disability and Absence Management

Terracon named inaugural recipient of Workplace Possibilities^SM Champions award

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) recently launched a quarterly award honoring employers that have achieved excellence with the Workplace Possibilities program — a unique, proactive approach to help prevent and manage absence and disability in the workplace. Terracon, a leading provider of environmental, facilities, geotechnical and materials services, was recognized as the first award winner during a presentation at its Kansas City area headquarters.

“Terracon is a true advocate of the Workplace Possibilities program and has a strong corporate culture that aligns with our commitment to help support employees in their quest to stay at work or return to work after a disability leave,” says Brian Kost, senior director of the Workplace Possibilities program. “They have seen us as a partner since day one. Because of that, we’ve been able to work together to help reduce disability incidence in their workplace.”

“The safety and well-being of our employees — both on and off the job — is our number one priority,” says Karen Butts, employee benefits manager at Terracon. “So much so, we have an internal program that promotes the goal for all employees to get home safely to their families every evening. The Standard’s Workplace Possibilities program provided a natural extension to this philosophy to help our employees come back to work safely after a disability leave.”

The Workplace Possibilities Champions award recognizes employers that are exceeding expectations for their implementation and ongoing partnership with the Workplace Possibilities program. The launch of a new disability program can be challenging, which is why the award honors organizations that embrace the program as a resource for the well-being of their employees.

The winning organization is selected based on a list of criteria, which includes:

• Initiating employee referrals to the program
• Promoting the program to managers, supervisors and other staff members
• Partnering with The Standard to customize accommodations for employees
• Training managers, supervisors and team leaders about the program
• Excelling in change management

“The Workplace Possibilities program has also boosted employee morale,” says Linda Holton, benefits specialist at Terracon. “We’ve been able to take a stressful situation for our employees and their managers and personalize it for them. Our employees don’t just feel like they are a number, they feel supported in getting the help and resources they need to return to work.”

The Workplace Possibilities program encourages employers to rethink their disability programs to help keep employees at work and increase productivity. The program helps employers save time and money by:

• Identifying opportunities to keep employees, who may be at risk of absence or disability, on the job.
• Supporting those who take leave to come back to work quicker through accommodations, modifications and other resources.

To schedule an interview with Brian Kost from The Standard and/or Karen Butts and/or Linda Holton from Terracon, please contact Katharine Foley at [email protected].

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 1100 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, Oregon, in all states except New York, where insurance products are offered by The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York of 360 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 210, White Plains, New York. Product features and availability vary by state and company and are solely the responsibility of each subsidiary. Each company is solely responsible for its own financial condition. Standard Insurance Company is licensed to solicit insurance business in all states except New York. The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York is licensed to solicit insurance business in only the state of New York.

About Terracon

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 4,000 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical and materials services from more than 140 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon currently ranks 24th on Engineering News-Record’s list of Top 500 Design Firms. For additional information about Terracon, visit www.terracon.com.

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General Media:

The Standard

Bob Speltz, 971-321-3162

Senior Director, Public Affairs

[email protected]

or

Trade Media:

Bader Rutter & Associates

Katharine Foley, 262-938-5460

[email protected]

Source: Standard Insurance Company