The Standard Recognizes Disability and Absence Management Leader

Standard Insurance Company, The Standard, maintains a one of a kind 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. Hennepin County, a Minnesota county dedicated to upholding the values of the Workplace Possibilities Champions award, was recognized as the latest quarterly award winner.

“Hennepin County is a model organization dedicated to improving employee well-being and mental health with a flexible approach," says Brian Kost, senior director of the Workplace Possibilities program at The Standard. "This commitment to supporting their employees' effective stay-at-work and return-to-work programs since 2009 is a testament to their Total Rewards benefits philosophy. We're proud to award Hennepin County — communities that represents more than one million Minnesota residents and our oldest Workplace Possibilities client — with this well-deserved recognition.”

The Hennepin County Total Rewards strategy is a long-term plan developed to support organizational goals while meeting the needs of a multigenerational workforce through an array of benefits. In addition to providing competitive compensation rates, career development opportunities, retirement assistance and other talent-retention tactics, Hennepin County created a plan that ensures quality long- and short-term disability coverage, including the Workplace Possibilities program, offered by The Standard.

“We are pleased to be exceeding expectations for our implementation of Workplace Possibilities and ongoing partnership with The Standard,” says Hennepin County’s Leave and Accommodation Management Office. “As part of our Total Rewards strategy, we are committed to ensuring employees can access and rely upon the Workplace Possibilities program, quality long- and short-term disability coverage, and other offerings.”

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.

The Workplace Possibilities Champions award recognizes employers that are exceeding expectations for their implementation and ongoing partnership with the Workplace Possibilities program.

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

To schedule an interview with Brian Kost from The Standard and/or the Hennepin County Leave and Accommodation Management Office, please contact Katie Best at kbest@bader-rutter.com.

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, dental and vision insurance, voluntary (employee-paid) benefits, absence management services, and retirement plans and annuities for employers and individuals. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or 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, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, Inc., StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., StanCorp Real Estate, LLC, and StanCorp Equities, Inc.

For more news from The Standard, visit: https://newsroom.standard.com/.

About Hennepin County

By putting the customer first, Hennepin County employees work every day to achieve its mission, vision and goals. Hennepin County strives to improve its services through proactive, innovative public stewardship, and it is committed to reducing disparities and making a long-term impact by focusing on outcomes in education, employment, health, housing, income, justice and transportation.

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