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Express Personnel Services

Winning year: 2007
Industry: Business Services
Location: Oklahoma City, OK
URL: www.expresspersonnel.com

Highlights of 2007 Winning Strategies

Express Personnel Services (Express) created the "Silver Streakers" program to incorporate the mature worker into today's work force. Each of the 590 Express franchises implemented the program by advertising through their respective local Chamber of Commerce and various clubs and organizations, running ads in newspapers, and posting flyers in churches, shopping malls, and other public places. Numerous mature workers received opportunities to continue employment and further their career through this program.

Additional Policies and Strategies

• Recruiting: Express Personnel Services uses senior placement agencies to target mature workers and retirees. Express franchisees speak directly with local AARP chapters to convey how Express can assist in the job search of a mature worker or retiree.
• Workplace Culture/Continued Opportunities: Express employees working at least 32 hours per week have the following options among learning and development programs: tuition reimbursement, in-house classroom training, on-line training, and certification classes. In the past 12 months, 100 percent of Express employees participated in at least one of these training opportunities with an average of 60 training hours. The company offers "Talking About Our Generations" as part of generational differences training. Employees acquire new experiences within the company by working on temporary assignments in other departments and on team projects. Express has installed ramps and elevators in headquarters and franchise locations, accommodated hearing and sight-impaired employees, and made ergonomic adjustments to office furniture to accommodate employees' height and weight.
• Benefits/Health: Employees working at least 30 hours per week receive individual and family medical coverage, individual and family prescription drug coverage, and individual and family vision and dental insurance as well as short- and long-term disability.
• Benefits/Financial: Employees working at least 30 hours per week may participate in the 401(k) program, which has an employer match. Employees age 50+ can make catch-up contributions to the 401(k) and staff members offer financial planning information. Express offers short-term time off without pay to allow for caregiving. Flu shots and health club discounts are among the wellness programs offered to full- and part-time employees. Seventeen percent of Express employees have used at least one these wellness benefits in the past 12 months. Express offers a work out incentive to employees. If the employee works out at a gym during the month, he or she may be reimbursed for up to $12.50 toward their cost based upon the number of days they work out.
• Benefits/Alternative Work Arrangements: Express offers alternative work arrangements to its employees working at least 32 hours per week: flextime, compressed work schedules, job sharing, and telecommuting. Full-time employees are eligible to move to part-time work on a permanent or temporary basis.
• Opportunities for Retirees: Express currently has 20 retirees. The company keeps in touch with its retirees by inviting them to the organization's events and celebrations. It offers retirees varied work arrangements: temporary work assignments, consulting/contract work, telecommuting, and full-and part-time work.
• Age of Workforce: Thirty-one percent of Express employees are 50+. The average tenure of employees age 50+ is 10 years.