FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 24, 2010
CONTACT: AARP Media Relations
+1-202-434-2560
media@aarp.org
AARP INTERNATIONAL ‘INNOVATIVE EMPLOYER AWARD’ RECOGNIZES 15 WINNERS FROM FIVE COUNTRIES IN 2010
WASHINGTON – In recognition of growing international attention to the implications of an aging workforce, AARP today announced the 15 winners of the 2010 AARP International Innovative Employer Award program. The award, designed to promote innovative human resource and workforce practices around the world, recognized winners from Austria, Canada, Germany, Guernsey, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
“Older workers are an asset to companies in good times and also in challenging times, and companies who recognize these benefits put themselves in a position to succeed,” said AARP Executive Vice President John Rother. “Our winners’ innovative workforce policies offer best practices for retaining mature and experienced employees and ultimately using them to keep a competitive edge in today’s marketplace, as well as tomorrow’s.”
AARP selected the following 15 companies and organizations for their innovative human resource and workforce practices that address issues relevant to older workers:
•Adecco Employment Services Limited (Canada)
•BT Group plc (United Kingdom)
•Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Germany)
•Centrica plc (United Kingdom)
•Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Germany)
•GALERIA Kaufhof GmbH (Germany)
•Guernsey Post Limited (Guernsey)
•Hansgrohe AG (Germany)
•Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany)
•National University Hospital (Singapore)
•PUB (Singapore)
•Salzburg AG für Energie, Verkehr und Telekommunikation (Austria)
•SICK AG (Germany)
•Sozial-Holding der Stadt Mönchengladbach GmbH (Germany)
•University of Central Lancashire (United Kingdom)
In addition, a special recognition will be given to HessenChemie, a trade association of German chemical companies, for demonstrating good policies in helping member companies address aging workforce issues.
AARP teamed with a network of international collaborating organizations with expertise on age and employment issues to promote the international award program, including 50&Piú (Italy); BAGSO (Germany); CARP (Canada); Council for Third Age (Singapore); DaneAge (Denmark); DDN – The Demography Network (Germany); Gerontology Institute at Technische Universität Dortmund (Germany); and TAEN – The Age and Employment Network (United Kingdom).
The AARP International Innovative Employer Award is open to all non-U.S.-based employers. Candidates are vetted to ensure that practices meet the needs of mature workers. Key areas of consideration include: recruiting practices; opportunities for training, education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and retirement benefits; and retiree relations.
For more information about the AARP International Innovative Employer Award, please visit: www.aarpinternational.org/2010employeraward
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social welfare organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, 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.
