Florida Companies Among Best Employers
Source: AARP.org | September 22, 2004
Three Florida-based firms, Lee County Electric Cooperative, WELBRO Building Corporation and Westgate Resorts, made the list of Best Employers for Workers 50 and Over.
This year's honorees include a wide range of industries, from healthcare to finance and construction. These diverse companies have one thing in common: they recruit and retain mature workers – they treat them right – and rank among the 35 employers from across the U.S. named "2004 AARP Best Employers for Workers 50 and Over."
Recent projections point toward a continued jump in the percentage of mature workers in the economy. Fourteen percent of the workforce is age 55 and older, which is expected to reach 19% by 2012.
"Older employees will play a crucial role in filling future job demands," said Judy Thames, AARP Florida State President. "The creative practices that today's winners have in place can serve as a model for employers seeking a winning strategy to recruit and retain the mature workforce."
Twenty-one percent of those hired last year by Lee County Electric Cooperative were over 50.
Located in North Fort Meyers, Lee also offers educational reimbursement, basic and advanced computer training, career counseling and in-house training.
Thirty percent of WELBRO Building Corporation employees headquartered in Maitland are over 50. WELBRO encourages employee education and development, offering full-time employees tuition reimbursement. It also supports seminars on topics such as retirement savings and wellness, as well as career counseling.
Employees of Westgate Resorts in Orlando have the option of phasing into retirement. About one-fifth are over 50. Westgate also offers employees flextime, job sharing, telecommuting and compressed schedule options.
AARP invited employers to apply for the Best Employer designation by describing their innovative practices toward 50 and over workers in an extensive questionnaire. A consulting firm provided a preliminary rating of the applicants, which was evaluated on recruitment practices, continuing opportunities for advancement, flexible work schedules and benefits for current and retired employees.
Then, a panel of six outside judges evaluated the applications. Their opinions, combined with the consultant's evaluations, led to final ratings. Additional vetting followed to determine the Best Employers.
Other Resources
Related Articles
- AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Program
- Three Florida Companies Among Best Employers
preview