ST. PAUL, Minn., Sep 20, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The St. Paul Companies
announced today it will extend its military leave policy to cover up to 12
months for all company employees who volunteer or are called to active full-time
duty in the military. Previously, The St. Paul's policy provided salary and
benefits for up to two weeks of military leave. Under the new policy, any
employee called upon or who volunteers for service in the Armed Forces --
following the national emergency declared following the World Trade Center and
Pentagon tragedy -- will remain on the company payroll and receive his/her
regular salary, subject to offset for military pay, for up to 12 months. Active
duty employees are also eligible to maintain their company benefits, including
health insurance, retirement and vacation, for up to one year.
"We believe that when our employees are called to serve, we can still serve our
employees," said David Nachbar, senior vice president, Human Resources, The St.
Paul. "For our employees who are military reservists, we want to allay any
concerns they may have about being able to provide for their families while
they're away.
"The St. Paul's first and foremost operating principle is to do the right thing,
and this is absolutely the right thing to do," Nachbar continued.
Nachbar is also asking other human resources executives to adopt similar
policies. He is conveying this view to fellow members of the Insurance
Conference Group, a professional association of human resources leaders
worldwide, and the Human Resources Advisory Council, a group of human resources
leaders of large corporations. "Reservists and volunteers are thinking about how
military leave will affect them," said Nachbar. "Lengthening military leave
policies is something corporations can do to respond to the needs of their
employees."
The St. Paul Companies, headquartered in Saint Paul, Minn., USA, provides
commercial property-liability insurance and non-life reinsurance worldwide. The
St. Paul reported 2000 revenue from continuing operations of $8 billion, total
assets of $35.5 billion, and is ranked No. 222 on the Fortune 500 list of
largest U.S. companies. For more information about The St. Paul and its products
and services, visit the company's web site, www.stpaul.com.
CONTACT: The St. Paul Companies, St. Paul
Media Contact:
M. Andrea Wood, 651/310-6440
E-mail: andrea.wood@stpaul.com