AARP.org
Connect with the AARP Community, it's free. Log In Sign Up

Best Employers Program Honorees

Frankford Candy & Chocolate Co.

Winning year: 2007
Industry: Food
Location: Philadelphia, PA
URL: www.frankfordcandy.com

Highlights of 2007 Winning Strategies

Frankford Candy & Chocolate Company's "Working Network/Guaranteed Free Training" is a learning and development program that offers employees the opportunity to take courses offered by the Community College of Philadelphia and other educational institutions. These courses include supervisory skills, team building, and computer skills trainings. Employees also can develop new skills by participating in cross-training, job shadowing, team projects, and mentoring.

Additional Policies and Practices

  • Workplace Culture/Continued Opportunities: Full- and part-time employees at Frankford Candy & Chocolate Co. (Frankford Candy) can choose from numerous learning and development programs, such as tuition reimbursement, in-house classroom training, on-line training, and certification classes. Workplace accommodations for those with special needs are made, including offering flexible work schedules, granting personal time off, and adding extra vacation time. Long-service anniversaries are celebrated with announcements and awards.
  • Benefits/Health: Full- and part-time employees (working 20+ hrs/week) receive individual and family medical coverage, and individual and family vision and dental insurance. The company extends short- and long-term disability exclusively to employees working at least 30 hours a week. To educate employees about ways to save money with health-related costs, Frankford Candy offers them open enrollment meetings, seminars, and health care speakers.
  • Benefits/Financial: Frankford Candy offers a 401(k) plan (with company match) as well as stock options to its full- and part-time employees. Employees age 50+ are eligible to make catch-up contributions to their 401(k) plan. Employees receive financial planning information from staff members administering the 401(k) plan. Frankford Candy offers paid time off specifically designated for caregiving, as well as short-term time off without pay and long-term leaves of absence without pay to allow for caregiving. It extends the following wellness programs to full- and part-time employees: flu shots, health screenings, health risk appraisals, smoking cessation programs, health club discounts, and stress management training. Fourteen percent of Frankford Candy employees have used at least one wellness benefit in the past 12 months. The company Candy offers referral services to assist with child and eldercare to its full- and part-time employees.
  • Benefits/Alternative Work Arrangements: Frankford Candy offers its full- and part-time employees flextime.
  • Opportunities for Retirees: Frankford Candy currently has 92 retirees. Someone has direct responsibility for retiree relations. The company stays connected with its retirees by communicating on a regular basis with them, inviting retirees to events, and formally acknowledging them on the occasion of their retirement. It offers retirees part-time work opportunities.
  • Age of Workforce: Fifty-five percent of Frankford Candy employees are 50+. The average tenure of employees age 50+ is 19.5 years.

Top of Page