“We are very proud to be included in the 2023 Disability Equality Index and named a best place to work for disability inclusion for the second consecutive year,” said Susan Bruechner, vice president of Human Resources at The Standard. “Our company 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 experiencing a disability is core to our business,” 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 culture of empathy and depth of expertise in workplace accommodations are key to ensuring that our customers are financially protected during a disability and can successfully return to their careers when able.”

Globally, more than 1 billion people experience disabilities. Disability is a natural part of the human experience, crossing lines of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and religion. The Standard is committed to disability inclusion, creating a culture in which each employee and customer is valued and respected.

“Businesses have the power to drive the global advancement of disability inclusion, and we’re thrilled to see more companies than ever use the Disability Equality Index to measure their progress,” said Jill Houghton, president and CEO of Disability:IN. “We recognize these top-scoring companies as a ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ for their passion and efforts to lead the way in creating greater equity for people with disabilities in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain.”

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 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, LLC, StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., StanCorp Real Estate, LLC, and StanCorp Equities, Inc.

About the Disability Equality Index®

The Disability Equality Index is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score on a scale of zero to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.”

The DEI is a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities, the nation’s largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network, to collectively advance the inclusion of people with disabilities. The organizations are complementary and offer unique strengths that make the project relevant and credible to corporations and the disability community. The tool was developed by the DEI Advisory Committee, a diverse group of business leaders, policy experts and disability advocates. Learn more on the DEI website.

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 more than 60 million Americans with disabilities. Learn more on the AAPD website.

About Disability:IN®

Disability:IN is a global organization driving disability inclusion and equality in business. The organization partners with more than 500 corporations to create long-term business and social impact through the world’s most comprehensive disability inclusion benchmarking and reporting tool, the Disability Equality Index, as well as best-in-class conferences and programs, expert counsel and engagement, and public policy leadership. Learn more on the Disability:IN website.