DiversityInc Names Allstate a Top 10 Company for Diversity

Business Wire, April 11, 2005

NORTHBROOK, Ill. -- DiversityInc named Allstate Insurance Company a Top 10 company for overall diversity in its fourth annual listing of the Top 50 Companies for Diversity. Allstate was also included in three specialty lists.

"Due to a 72% increase in participation and the more than 200 tough and detailed questions that were asked of the companies, the challenges were greater this year for those seeking recognition," said Luke Visconti, partner/co-founder DiversityInc. "This year Allstate moved up to the Top 10 ranking demonstrating that it understands the business benefits of diversity in the workplace."

"Allstate leadership is clearly committed to providing a working environment that is inclusive," said Anise Wiley-Little, director of Allstate diversity and work/life strategies. "Diversity at Allstate is a business strategy that provides us a competitive advantage by strengthening our corporate brand in the marketplace and labor market."

Women make up 60.4% and minorities 28.6% of Allstate's 38,000-employee workforce. Of notable significance to DiversityInc magazine was the CEO's commitment to diversity. Ninety percent of the companies named to the Top 10 list have CEOs that support executive compensation being tied to diversity efforts.

"At Allstate, people come first. We have a strong commitment to strategies that promote greater tolerance, inclusion and diversity in both the workplace and in our communities," said Edward M. Liddy, chairman, president and CEO of Allstate. "It is my job to make sure Allstate has the right strategy, people and infrastructure to seize our market opportunities. Our diverse workforce enables us to deliver the value that shareholders, customers and communities expect from us."

Allstate demonstrates their commitment to diversity in several ways:

--Diversity training is mandatory for all employees.

--Employee perceptions on diversity and the work environment are measured through an annual employee survey.

--Allstate's CEO regularly communicates the importance of diversity through Allstate publications, videos and employee meetings.

--Affirmative action is integrated into employee processes such as succession management, recruitment and leadership development.

--Senior leadership is held accountable for affirmative action results through performance management.

--Allstate has a strong recruitment program for minorities working closely with higher education institutions that have a diverse student enrollment. Allstate executives also take active roles on the boards of a number of these institutions.

--Allstate offers domestic partner benefits.

--Allstate's Center for Assistive Technology supports disabled employees with technological needs.

Adoption assistance, flexible hours, the ability to work at home and/or telecommute, job sharing, on-site child care and dependent care benefits are some of the work life programs that help Allstate to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.

In addition, Allstate's diverse workforce helps it to better serve and attract its diverse customer base. Allstate is one of the first property & casualty insurance companies to aggressively seek growth in multicultural markets.

The complete list of recognized companies is published online at www.DiversityInc.com and will be in the June issue of DiversityInc magazine, a Web site and publication that reports on diversity issues.

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE:ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate(R)" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in more than 16 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through more than 13,600 exclusive agencies and financial specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate(R). Encompass(SM) and Deerbrook(R) Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, annuity, retirement, banking and investment products through distribution channels that include Allstate agencies, independent agencies, financial institutions and broker-dealers.