Calling Massachusetts Employers: Be the Best
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-11-20 15:38:50.832399-05:00
An opportunity to excel
AARP is now accepting entrants for its annual awards program, AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50. Now in its sixth year, this program recognizes those employers from the nonprofit, for-profit and government sectors that create the best working environments for workers age 50 and over. In 2007, 50 employers from 25 states?? earned this honor, including Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital.
At the forefront
A major shift is taking place in the U.S. workforce: It is aging rapidly. This year, nearly 40 percent of the American workforce will be 45 and over. According to AARP Massachusetts State Director Deborah Banda, "While the workforce is aging, the pool of younger replacement workers is shrinking and may not be sufficient to meet employer needs.
"Employers who face this demographic imperative today stand to gain a competitive edge tomorrow," Banda adds. "AARP Best Employers acknowledge the coming demographic shift and are framing policies and practices today to recruit and retain a mature working pool. These employers are leading the way, creating roadmaps to workplaces of the future."
Rewarding innovation
AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 rewards innovative organizations that offer policies and features that appeal to 50-plus workers, including:
- competitive pension and health benefits,
- flexible work options,
- training and development opportunities, and
- age-neutral performance and appraisal systems.
Applicants are judged by a panel of experts, and recipients will be honored in September 2008.
Recognizing excellence
AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 receive widespread recognition within their industries, in the news media, and by AARP members - 39 million active consumers.
Employers Apply Online Today
Employers from both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, as well as government employers including those at the local, state and federal levels, with 50 or more employees are eligible to apply.
The application deadline is February 15, 2008.
Other Resources
AARP Selects MGH as one of top employers in the country for workers over 50
preview