MONTREAL, June 21, 2012 – Standard Life is proud to launch the first component of Together, in our community, its brand new employee community engagement program. The program is designed to encourage its employees’ volunteering efforts and provide financial assistance to the charities they support.
“All of our leaders support the implementation of Together, in our community and they understand the importance of offering this type of program to the approximately 2000 employees working for Standard Life in Canada”, noted Caroline Lavall�e, Senior Advisor, Corporate Responsibility. “Studies show that employees who volunteer are happier, healthier and more engaged, and that they also develop additional skills,” she added.
Based on a survey conducted by Standard Life among its employees, 65% of them would like to be more involved in the Company’s community investment projects.
“This type of program not only benefits the community – it is also perceived as a recruitment incentive that will help promote personnel retention, training, professional development and a feeling of belonging among all of the Company’s employees,” states Sophie Fortin, Senior Vice-President, People and Communications. “In an environment where employee volatility is an issue, the implementation of our community engagement program is a widely welcomed one,” she added.
Together, in our community has three components, which will be deployed gradually between now and the end of 2012.
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“Raise and Match” – In force
For any employee who raises at least $100 for a recognized charity, Standard Life will match the contribution amount up to $200. -
Community Action Day – To be launched in the fall of 2012
Standard Life will offer employees one paid day off each year to volunteer with a charity or non-profit organization of their choice. -
Dollars for Doers – To be launched before the end of 2012
Standard Life will donate up to $500 to a charity chosen by an employee who volunteers for a minimum number of hours each year. What’s more, if the employee’s volunteering activities are directly related to the work he or she does at Standard Life, the Company may donate an additional $250 to the organization in question.
About Standard Life
Standard Life plc is a leading long-term savings and investment company headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland. Standard Life has around 6 million customers worldwide and operates in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, and globally with Standard Life Investments Ltd. www.standardlife.ca
In Canada, Standard Life has been doing business for almost 180 years. Standard Life Financial Inc., which wholly owns The Standard Life Assurance Company of Canada and Standard Life Mutual Funds Ltd., is Standard Life plc’s largest operation outside the UK. With about 2,000 employees, it provides long-term savings, investment and insurance solutions to more than 1.4 million Canadians, including group benefit and retirement plan members.
As of March 31, 2012, Standard Life plc had C$330 billion in assets under administration, including C$42 billion in Canada through Standard Life Financial.
