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Securian Employees Speak: This is a 'Best Place To Work'

Business Journal editor Kim Johnson says, "...it takes more than a great benefits package and neat perks to ensure employee engagement. Corporate cultures described in this publication are steeped in respect ... "

"We provide a professional environment where flexible employment policies make it easy for people to stay with us and a culture that makes them want to stay," said Kathleen Pinkett, vice president, Human Resources Planning.

Even in this era of multiple employer changes within a career, many of Securian's employees -- including chairman and CEO, Robert Senkler -- joined Securian out of college and stayed on as they developed varied careers within the company.

"Because we're a financial services company and our products are intangible, our people truly are our most valuable resource," said Pinkett. "We've learned that providing purposeful, challenging work, opportunities for advancement, and work-life balance makes it easier for us to recruit and keep our good people."

Nearly 250 companies competed for a spot on the Business Journal's 2008 list, 160 qualified for consideration, and 45 were selected. To qualify in the 1,001 -- 3,000Minnesota employee category, at least 15 percent of a company's full-time employees had to respond to the blind survey. Securian's response rate was well above that at 52 percent.

Securian is one of only four companies that have appeared on the Business Journal list seven or more times. It also has appeared on Computerworld's list of "Best 100 Places to work in IT" 13 times and the AARP's list of "Best Employers for Workers over 50" three times.

Securian currently employs 2,500 people in downtownSt. Paul and 3,500 nationwide. Though Securian does not pay employees who refer job candidates that eventually are hired, 45 percent of the new hires in 2007 were employee referrals. Also last year, Securian retained 94 percent of its work force; of those who did leave, most retired, leftthe Twin Cities, or left the work force altogether. More than 80 percent of the openings at Securian last year were filled from within. And 96 percent of Securian's employees take at least one training course per year.

Securian Financial Group helps provide financial security for individuals and businesses in the form of insurance, retirement plans and investments. Affiliates include Minnesota Life Insurance Co., Advantus Capital Management, and Allied Solutions, LLC. Securian has $690 billion of life insurance in force and $30 billion in assets under management as of July 31, 200 and serves more than 9,000,000 individuals in the U.S.

    URLS:
    http://www.securian.com
    http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities
    http://www.computerworld.com
    http://www.aarp.com

SOURCE Securian Financial Group, Inc.