Metro-Area Employers Share Best Practices for An Aging Workforce
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2005-10-19 15:35:42
America's workforce is aging, and mature workers are playing a more visible role nationally and in the greater Washington metropolitan area. By 2012, one in five U.S. workers will be over age 55.
Since 2001, the AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 award has recognized employers that demonstrate exemplary practices for older employees.
Five Washington area businesses that have embraced the changing demographics and developed outstanding approaches for attracting and retaining mature, experienced workers are being honored this year.
- Inova Health System
- Loudoun Healthcare, Inc.
- Mitretek Systems
- NASD
- Pepco Holdings, Inc.
On Sept. 26 AARP District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia joined the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Washington Business Journal in sponsoring a business leaders forum titled, "Staying Ahead of the Curve: Employer Best Practices for Mature Workers."
Metro-area Best Employers
The forum featured an employer panel with three of the Metro-area Best Employers for Workers Over 50—Pepco Holdings, Inc., of Washington, DC; Inova Health System of Falls Church, VA; and NASD of Rockville, MD—who shared successful policies and practices.
Pepco Holdings, Inc.
Pepco Holding, Inc. which was recognized for a range of programs, received a special distinction—the Bernard E. Nash Award for Innovation—for devising innovative methods to rehire retirees while maintaining their pension and medical benefits.
The company was also honored with a proclamation from District Mayor Anthony A. Williams.
According to Vice President for People Strategies and Human Resources Ernest Jenkins, "We have over 412 employees who have 30 years of service and are 55 years of age. By 2009, we have the potential to lose over 2,900 of our employees… (So) we didn't do this to be innovative or creative… We had a business need."
Inova Health System
Inova Health System Assistant Vice President for Talent Management and Chief Learning Officer Marcia B. Riley focused on their range of services. "There's a continnum as we serve (our patients)—from birth to death. From the needs of the young mom coming in scared, about to deliver, …all the way to those of us in that sandwich generation supporting everyone. One of our passions at Inova is to create an employment experience that parallels that."
Read Riley's Remarks
NASD
NASD offers a wide range of alternative work arrangements along with "robust" health benefits and pension plans. According to Senior Vice President for Human Resources Andrew Goresh, "We regulate an industry that is notorious for being a young industry…. (But when we) took a look at our demographics, … 18% of our current organization may be 50 or older, (and) almost a 3rd of our population—over 700 people—will be eligible for retirement over the next 5-7 years. That was the first wake-up call for us."
Read Goresh's Remarks
Contact Us
AARP District of Columbia is committed to being a resource for District employers on mature worker issues. Please email any suggestions about how we can help you meet the needs of an aging workforce.
Apply for the 2006 Best Employers for Mature Workers program online.
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