The Standard Recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion for Third Consecutive Year

July 16, 2024

PORTLAND, Ore. - Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) received 100 - the highest possible score - on the Disability Equality Index^® and was named a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" by the American Association of People with Disabilities, the nation's largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network.

"We are proud to be included in the 2024 Disability Equality Index and named a best place to work for disability inclusion for the third consecutive year," said Susan Bruechner, vice president and chief human resources officer at The Standard. "The Standard prioritizes creating a welcoming workplace where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work. We know that diversity, equity and inclusion are key for attracting and retaining the best employees, serving our customers and contributing to strong, resilient communities."

"Helping people who have experienced a disabling event is a core tenet of our company values and is inherent in our products," said Dan McMillan, president and CEO of The Standard. "We offer financial well-being and peace of mind to millions of customers facing a disability caused by an accident or illness. Our depth of expertise in workplace accommodations and our empathy for our customers are key to ensuring that they successfully return to their careers."

Globally, there are 1.3 billion people with disabilities. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, crossing age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and other demographics. The Standard is committed to disability inclusion, creating a culture in which each employee and customer is valued and respected.

"On the 10th anniversary of the Disability Equality Index, we're extremely proud of the 542 national and international companies that are taking a proactive role in leading progress towards disability inclusion, setting a benchmark for others to follow. Their dedication to fostering inclusive workplaces not only attracts top talent but also drives innovation and creates sustainable performance in today's global market. Together, we are creating a future where everyone can contribute and thrive," said Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN.

About The Standard

The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. In business since 1906, we are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individuals. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and group vision insurance, voluntary and supplemental benefits, absence management and paid family leave services, retirement plans products and services and individual annuities. For more information about The Standard, visit standard.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries: Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, StanCorp Mortgage Investors, StanCorp Investment Advisers, StanCorp Real Estate, StanCorp Equities, Anthem Life Insurance Company, Anthem Life & Disability Insurance Company and Greater Georgia Life Insurance Company.

About the Disability Equality Index^®

The Disability Equality Index has become the leading independent, third-party resource for the annual benchmarking of corporate disability inclusion policies and programs and is now trusted by more than 70% of the United States Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500. Such companies must increasingly consider how emerging global reporting directives and stakeholder expectations surrounding social and corporate governance factors impact their operational, cultural, reputational and financial performance.

The Disability Equality Index is an objective, reflective, forward-thinking, and confidential disability rating tool designed to assist business in advancing inclusion practices. It is a comprehensive benchmark that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions across five scored categories: Culture & Leadership, Enterprise-Wide Access, Employment Practices, Community Engagement, and Supplier Diversity. Participating companies receive a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those scoring 80 or higher earning the distinction of "Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion" for the benchmark year.

Findings from a two-year Global Disability Equality Index pilot informed the launch of a scored benchmark that opened in 2024 to seven new countries in addition to the United States. These include: Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Now in its 10th year, the Disability Equality Index has grown nearly 7x since 2015, expanding from 80 companies in its first year to 542 in 2024. Collectively, the 2024 edition received 753 submissions spanning the eight benchmarked countries.

About the American Association of People with Disabilities

AAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power for people with disabilities. As a national cross-disability rights organization AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the 60+ million Americans with disabilities. Learn more at: aapd.com.

About Disability:IN^®

Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. More than 500 corporations partner with Disability:IN to create long-term business and social impact through the world's most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index (DEI); best-in-class conferences and programs; expert counsel and engagement; and public policy leadership. Join us at disabilityin.org/AreYouIN #AreYouIN.