GUELPH, ON, Dec. 30 /CNW/ - The 2010 "50 Best Employers in Canada" list was released today, and for the seventh consecutive year The Co-operators is well represented.

The companies included on this year's list are:

    -   The Co-operators, based in Guelph, Ontario (ranked No.18, compared to
        No.12 last year), which includes co-operative holding company
        The Co-operators Group Ltd. as well as subsidiaries The Co-operators
        General Insurance Company, HB Group Insurance Management Ltd., and
        Addenda Capital; and

    -   Co-operators Life Insurance Company of Regina, Saskatchewan (ranked
        No.32, up from No.41 last year).

International human resources firm Hewitt Associates compiles the list annually, using results of confidential surveys completed by employees. The surveys gauge "employee engagement," which the firm describes as a measurement of employees' willingness to speak positively about their employer, their desire to work there, and the extra effort they are willing to exert to ensure the success of the company. Firms with high engagement scores tend to attract and retain employees, and their staff members are committed to achieving corporate goals.

"Once again our staff members have rated the organization highly, both as an employer and as a good corporate citizen," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators. "We want our employees to succeed in the workplace and in their personal lives, and in turn our employees want The Co-operators to succeed in providing financial security to Canadians. By being responsive to their feedback - both positive and negative - we will endeavour to maintain and even enhance their engagement in the years ahead."

The "50 Best Employers" list is based on more information collected from more employees, business leaders and human resources professionals than any similar list.

About The Co-operators:

Based in Guelph, Ontario, The Co-operators is a group of Canadian companies offering home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators Group Limited is a 100 per cent Canadian-owned co-operative with assets of more than $7 billion. It is owned by a group of Canadian co-operatives, credit union centrals and like-minded organizations. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement, and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.