Phased
retirement arrangements that enable employees to reduce work schedules
before full retirement, a « time off bank » of donated vacation time which
employees can use to care for family members, and a 401(k) plan that the
company contributes to – regardless of employee participation –
is why Stanley Consultants, Inc. leads the list of the 2005
AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.
This Iowa-based engineering,
environmental and construction company ranks first among 50 diverse employers
that won the Best Employers honor. Again this year, health care companies
dominate the winners, followed by financial services and educational institutions.
Stanley Consultants
is joined at the top of the rankings by a broad range of employers that
includes Scripps Health of San Diego (ranked #2) Bon Secours Richmond
Health System of Richmond, VA (#3), Deere & Company of Moline, IL
(#4), Cornell University of Ithaca, NY (#5), Massachusetts Institute of
Technology in Cambridge (#6), First Horizon National Corporation in Memphis,
TN (#7), Brevard Public Schools in Viera, FL (#8), Yale-New Haven Hospital
in CT (#9), and Lee Memorial Health System of Ft. Myers, FL (#10).
« These distinguished
employers have exemplary practices at a time when the value of older employees
is beginning to be broadly recognized as a key resource for corporations, »
said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. « Many in health care and other fields recognize
that it is in their self-interest, as well as enlightened policy, to emphasize
retention and recruitment of the 50 plus worker. »
« Too many employers
still do not recognize the advantages that older workers bring to the
table, » added Novelli. « The value of these employees will become increasingly
apparent as the workforce ages in the years ahead. »
Commenting on his
company’s designation as the leading Best Employer, Stanley Consultants
President and CEO Gregs Thomopulos said:
« We are extremely
honored to be recognized as a leader by AARP, a validation of the value
that our company places on our older workers who are a crucial part of
our workforce.
« We recognize the
strong competition for this recognition by small and large businesses
throughout the country, and are proud that this year we came out at the
top of the list. »
AARP also is releasing
highlights of its research
about mature workers – the top five advantages of mature workers
and the top five stereotypes and realities about experienced workers –
as well as a list of states with the most AARP Best Employers for Workers
Over 50 and an outline of the top five criteria in selection of the Best
Employers.
AARP’s new Bernard
E. Nash Award for Innovation is being given to three AARP Best Employers
with exemplary practices in recruitment, flexible work options and rehiring
of retirees. They are: First Horizon National Corporation (flexible work
options); Pepco Holdings Inc. (retiree work opportunities); and Carondelet
Health Network (recruitment).
AARP invites employers
to apply for the Best Employer designation by submitting an application
describing their exemplary practices toward older workers. A consulting
firm provides a preliminary ranking of the applicants, then a panel of
nine outside judges evaluates the applications. The judges’ rankings,
along with the consultant’s evaluations, lead to the final rankings.
Nearly one half of
the honorees – including Stanley Consultants, Scripps Health, Bon
Secours, Deere & Company, MIT, and First Horizon National Corporation
– are previous winners in the annual AARP search.
This year, Michigan
tops the 25 states with six winners, while Virginia has five, and Arizona,
California, Connecticut, Illinois, and West Virginia secured three awards
each.
Speaking on the issue
of continued employment of older workers, Alicia Munnell, director of
Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research, said:
« As the population
ages, employers will no longer be able to rely on a large influx of young
workers. Hiring older workers seems like a natural solution – they
will be better educated and healthier than in the past, they will have
a lifetime of experience, and they will be well suited to a job market
that has become much less physically demanding. »
The awardees will
be honored at a prestigious dinner in Chicago on September 22. In conjunction
with the event, AARP, in partnership with Mercer Human Resource Consulting
and Financial Times, the exclusive media partner, will host a national
conference the next day. « Business Solutions for an Aging Society » will
focus on preparing American business for the changing workplace demographics
and how to remain competitive in today’s global market through employer
best practices. AARP The Magazine will focus on Best Employers in its
November-December issue.
In November, AARP
will release a major research report on the value of older workers –
« the Business Case for Workers Age 50+ » by Towers Perrin, a global professional
services firm.
AARP is a nonprofit,
nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence,
choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them
and society as a whole. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly;
AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly
magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly
newsletter for 50 + educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. AARP Foundation
is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment
to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors,
and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.