Building on a strong tradition of corporate social responsibility and commitment to communities, Unum (NYSE: UNM) and its employees gave more than $6 million and 15,000 volunteer hours in 2008 (see also Unum).

"For more than 160 years, Unum and its predecessor companies have been committed to helping people when they need it most," writes Unum Group President and CEO Tom Watjen in a new report on the company's corporate social responsibility efforts. "This philosophy not only guides our business practices but also influences our approach to corporate social responsibility."

Unum's 2009 Corporate Social Responsibility outlines the company's giving in four main areas of philanthropy: education, disability, health and wellness, arts and culture. In addition, the report details Unum's environmental efforts, public policy partnerships and corporate governance practices.

A few highlights from the report include: Community support: At the heart of Unum's philanthropy is support for education. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, a partnership with the Hamilton County public school system includes four major initiatives and will provide half a million dollars for new technology and teacher mini grants over the next four years. Environmental responsibility: Unum has recycled 3,868 tons of paper and cardboard since 2006, uses 100 percent plant fiber for panel fabric in offices and recycled more than 218,000 pounds of computer hardware in 2008. Public policy: Unum is part of a pilot program with the Social Security Administration to speed up decisions on disability insurance applications for individuals with severe medical conditions. And at the invitation of the Government Accountability Office, Unum is participating in several public initiatives related to disability products and services. Corporate governance: Unum Group was recognized by IR Global Rankings for being one of the best companies in North America in providing corporate governance information online.


View the entire Unum 2009 Corporate Social Responsibility report here. About Unum Unum (www.unum.com) is one of the leading providers of employee benefits products and services in the United States and the United Kingdom. Through its subsidiaries, Unum Group provided nearly $6 billion in total benefits to customers in 2008.