Unum Wins Again, at Least with Their Own

Chattanooga, TNWhile some policyholders may still have issues with how they are treated at the hands of Unum, the people who work for the insurance goliath apparently love to work there. As reported by the October 4th issue of Business Wire, the insurance provider once known as Unum Provident took home top honors for Best Places to Work in the insurance sector from Business Insurance Magazine for the second year in a row.

It's only the second year for the Best Places to Work in Insurance recognition program, and Unum has been up at the top of the totem since the award was established. Criteria for the recognition includes publicly, or privately held insurers, agents and brokers with at least 25 employees working in the US and serving the commercial market.

The employer fills out a questionnaire, then employees are selected at random and surveyed for their views.

"The recognition from Business Insurance is especially gratifying because it focuses on our industry and evaluates us in our professional peer group," said Eileen Farrar, senior vice president of human resources for Unum Insurance. "While awards like these certainly aren't the only measure of success, we do take great pride in receiving this recognition."

The award appears to suggest that Unum has succeeded in reversing an apparent toxic atmosphere recalled by disgruntled former employees who complained of heavy quotas and strong-arm tactics designed to deny claims and avoid payouts for Unum long term disability insurance. Unum, also known formerly as First Unum, was the subject of intense media scrutiny in previous years.

For the most part, that all appears behind them now.

"One of the most meaningful aspects of the best employer awards is that they weigh heavily what our employees say about the company, which makes winning all the more gratifying," continued Farrar. "It tells us that our employees are genuinely satisfied with our work environment."

It is not known of there are similar surveys designed for policyholders.

Previous and recent accolades for Unum include a 'Best Places to Work' nod in its primary states of Tennessee, Maine and South Carolina. The provider of Unum disability insurance, among other insurance products, also received the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles Award from the National Business Group on Health.

Unum operates its head office in Chattanooga.