About the AARP International Innovative Employer Awards

 

The AARP International Innovative Employer Awards are intended to recognize non-U.S.-based employers who have demonstrated innovative workforce or human resource practices that address issues relevant to workers age 50 and older.

 

At a time when the percentage of workers age 25 to 44 is declining, older adults are a more important component of the global workforce than ever before—a fact that select employers are recognizing and implementing policies to address. By recognizing employers around the world that have demonstrated innovative efforts to address issues relevant to older workers, AARP encourages all employers to create a mutually beneficial environment that values the potential of younger and mature workers alike.

 

Employers interested in the awards submitted applications available at www.aarpinternational.org. Applications ask about the competitors’ human resource and diversity policies and how they benefit their mature workers.

 

This year, AARP processed and reviewed all completed applications received by the May 15, 2008, deadline. Judging from applicants’ responses to the application, AARP and a panel of human resource and employment experts from organizations collaborating with us selected the top-10 employer applications. We were looking for those that demonstrated the most positive commitments to retaining, recruiting, or attracting mature workers.

 

The assessment considered a number of factors, including recruiting practices; workplace culture; lifelong learning, education, and job-training opportunities; opportunities for continued success and career development; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, telecommuting, job sharing, and flexible retirement; employee benefits that support the health and financial security of employees; workplace design, such as ergonomic work stations or facilities; and retiree relations.

 

All employers headquartered in countries outside the United States were eligible to apply. Additionally, because AARP is committed to its overall mission of enhancing the quality of life for people as they age in ways that benefit societies as a whole, the selection process also included a due diligence component to ensure that any organization receiving the AARP International Innovative Employer Award has practices that are generally consistent with AARP's public policies and values. The following question represents an issue that AARP has explored during the due diligence process: Has the employer been subject to an unreasonable number of employment discrimination settlements, convictions, or discrimination-based legal actions?