The Standard Receives Sustainability at Work Gold Certification

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today it has received the City of Portland's Sustainability at Work gold workplace certification in recognition of the company's commitment to sustainable practices. This certification recognizes practices in place at The Standard's home offices in Portland, Oregon.

Sustainability at Work offers three levels of certification to recognize a business's positive effect on the environment and our community. Certified applicants are evaluated on more than 70 factors related to their environmentally friendly practices in the areas of recycling/reuse, employee engagement, transportation, energy, water, and community engagement. Gold certificate recipients must meet a minimum of 45 practices to qualify.

"While many of us reduce, reuse and recycle at home, implementing sustainable practices in the workplace is a critical component of sustainability," said Bob Speltz, senior director of Community Relations at The Standard and sponsor of the Green Team. "I'm honored to work at a company that acts upon its commitments to the community and our environment," he added.

Among The Standard's practices recognized by Sustainability at Work in awarding the gold certification were:

Recycling ? Recycling bins are visible, located at multiple locations on every floor of The Standard's downtown offices and employee education is provided. Unused or outdated electronic devices are donated for reuse or, when necessary, properly recycled.

Employee Engagement ? The Green Team, one of The Standard's largest employee resource groups, is supported by management; sustainability practices are communicated to customers and stakeholders; employee feedback and suggestions are solicited and acted upon where feasible.

Energy ? Renewable energy is purchased for a portion of our electricity use; computers, computer monitors and printers are set to sleep after inactivity; linear lighting uses LED bulbs.

Paper ? Copier/printer paper contains at least 30% recycled content; centralized printers are used; paperless workflow alternatives are used whenever possible.

Water ? Restrooms use low-flow faucets and shower heads. Most of the landscaping is native and drought tolerant.

Active Transportation ? Nearly 60% of The Standard's 2,000 Portland employees walk, bike, carpool or take transit as their primary commute method; subsidies and reimbursement are offered to employees who use public transit or carpool to work; sheltered, secure bike parking is available for employees.

Community Engagement ? Sponsorship, foundation grants and in-kind services are donated to community organizations; employees receive paid time off to volunteer in the community; employees serve in various community leadership roles; a formal policy promotes contracting with women and minority-owned businesses.

To view The Standard's Sustainability at Work profile, visit: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/sustainabilityatwork/article/737358

About The Standard

The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping you 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.

About Sustainability at Work

Sustainability at Work was formed in 2007 as a solution for businesses who want to improve their environmental practices. The program's services have been informed by national and local research, input from hundreds of Portland businesses, and by the technical expertise of our partners. Since its launch, the program has helped thousands of Portland businesses advance green initiatives in the workplace?from small start-ups and nonprofits to large corporations.

For more information on the Sustainability at Work program, visit: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/sustainabilityatwork/