Standard appoints new assistant vice president of Absence Management

Standard Insurance, a subsidiary of StanCorp Financial Group, has appointed Mike Dunst as new assistant vice president of Absence Management. Mike joined the company 29 September.

In his new role, Dunst will lead The Standard’s Absence Management program and have responsibility for service and processes, software development/enhancement, sales training and support, vendor/partner management, operational effectiveness and customer service.

Dunst will also serve as The Standard’s National Practice Leader for Absence Management.

Dunst began his insurance career at CIGNA. He co-founded Disability Management Alternatives (DMA) in 1996. In 2003, DMA merged with Lewisco to form LCG. In 2008, LCG was acquired by Hewitt, where Dunst was a leader in absence management operations.

The Standard’s Absence Management program helps companies in any industry with the burdensome management of employee absence, such as short term disability, family medical leave, state leaves and other company time off.

The services track and manage employee absences, increase employee productivity and free managers and administrators to focus on driving results in their businesses. In addition, Absence Management incorporates The Standard’s stay at work/return to work programs.