GUELPH, ON, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - International human resources firm Hewitt
Associates today released its list of the "50 Best Employers in Canada" for
2009, which includes three listings of subsidiaries within The Co-operators
group of companies. This marks the sixth consecutive year that The
Co-operators has made the prestigious list.

    The trio of companies included on this year's list are:

    -   The Co-operators, based in Guelph, Ontario (ranked No. 12), 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;
    -   L'Union Canadienne of Quebec City, Quebec (ranked No. 23); and
    -   Co-operators Life Insurance Company of Regina, Saskatchewan
        (ranked No. 41)

    The list is compiled annually by human resources firm Hewitt Associates,
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.
    "Having three Co-operators listings on this list is a special
accomplishment, because it is based primarily on confidential feedback from
our employees," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of The Co-operators.
"The results reflect the positive and supportive atmosphere we strive to
create in workplaces across our group of companies. But beyond that, they
indicate that our employees share The Co-operators values and are enthusiastic
about fulfilling our mission of providing financial security to Canadians and
their communities."
    Studies show that high levels of engagement can bolster a firm's
productivity and financial success, and can lead to high morale among staff
members and superior rates of employee attraction and retention. 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.

For further information: Leonard Sharman, The Co-operators,
1-877-795-7272, ext. 2707