Media room

October 22 , 2008

Support for employees with disabilities earns national recognition for area school district

Hawarden, Iowa (October 22, 2008) – The West Sioux Community School District has earned a national award for the support it provides to employees with disabilities.

The WillReturn Council^® of Assurant Employee Benefits recently chose the West Sioux Community School District as a winner of its Partnership Award. The award was presented to school board president Doug Smit during the board’s meeting on October 13. In making its selection, the Council noted the school district’s commitment to accommodating employees with disabilities by providing flexible work options that meet their abilities. While many employers insist that disabled employees conform to a single, rigid standard, the school district has evaluated employee situations on an individual basis and acted based on their needs and abilities.

The West Sioux Community School District is one of just ten employer groups to be honored with the Partnership Award, which was established in 1999 to recognize disability insurance policyholders who have demonstrated exceptional efforts in helping employees to continue to work or return to work after suffering a disabling illness or injury. The district was nominated for the Partnership Award by Rhonda Christianson, a disability claims specialist in Assurant Employee Benefits’ Minneapolis Benefits Center. She became aware of the organization’s dedication to providing necessary job accommodations for employees while working with both the district and an employee with a disability.

"While the school district’s experience with disabled employees has been minimal, they have demonstrated a willingness to make accommodations for their employees as needed," Rhonda wrote in her nomination to the WillReturn Council^®. "The district is very deserving of recognition for their efforts."

"We will always try to accommodate employees so that they are able to work," said Paula Bartunek, the school district’s business manager. "Everyone benefits when we are able to help an employee continue working."

"The West Sioux Community School District’s demonstrated commitment to helping employees overcome the obstacles presented by disability exemplifies the types of actions and attitudes that the WillReturn Council^® seeks to recognize with its PartnershipAward," said Council chairman Steve Palermo. "We are very proud to honor their exceptional efforts."

Assurant Employee Benefits launched the WillReturn Council^® in 1998 to recognize individuals with disabilities who have demonstrated exemplary efforts in remaining at work or returning to work despite a disabling illness or injury. In reviewing nominations of individuals for its Perseverance Award, the Council realized that the attitudes and accommodating actions of employers frequently play a significant role in employee successes. As a result, it established the Partnership Award to honor such employers.

Assurant Employee Benefits specializes in quality employee benefits and services, including long-term and short-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, dental coverage, and disability reinsurance management services. Assurant Employee Benefits also offers voluntary (employee-paid) disability, life, and dental plans.

Products and services marketed by Assurant Employee Benefits are underwritten or provided by Union Security Insurance Company or an affiliated prepaid dental company. In New York, group insurance products and services are marketed by Assurant Employee Benefits and underwritten by Union Security Life Insurance Company of New York, which is licensed in New York and has its principal place of business in Syracuse, New York. Plans contain limitations and exclusions. Underwriting flexibility allows Assurant Employee Benefits to market tailor-made benefit plans for groups of most any size. Assurant Employee Benefits is located in Kansas City, Missouri.

Assurant Employee Benefits is part of Assurant, a premier provider of specialized insurance products and related services in North America and selected international markets. Its four key businesses – Assurant Solutions; Assurant Specialty Property; Assurant Health; and Assurant Employee Benefits – have partnered with clients who are leaders in their industries and have built leadership positions in a number of specialty insurance market segments worldwide.

Assurant, a Fortune 500 company and a member of the S&P 500, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AIZ. Assurant has over $25 billion in assets and $7 billion in annual revenue (www.assurant.com).

For more information contact:

Jacquie Hill
Assurant Employee Benefits
816.881.8968
or jacquie.hill@assurant.com