Flexibility and Work Arrangements Practices of the 2007 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50

With one-third of the workforce projected to be age 50 and older by 2014, employers must find ways to retain this important segment of the workforce. The 2007 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 are taking the lead by adopting flexible work arrangements to meet employees’ needs and desires. By offering flexibility in when, where, and how employees work, these employers have discovered a valuable tool to retain productive, engaged workers.

 

The 2007 Best Employers recognize the need to provide a more malleable workplace environment, as shown by the widespread availability of the work arrangements outlined in the chart below:

 

 

 

Centegra Health System in Crystal Lake, Ill., offers a variety of flexible-scheduling options through its registry program and by permitting 10- and 12-hours shifts, summers off, and a weekend program. The registry program offers flexible hours with no specific commitment to an amount of time, while the 10- and 12-hour shifts give employees the opportunity to condense their workweeks.

 

Centegra’s weekend program allows professionals to choose a compressed work schedule on weekends. As a result, full- and part-time staff have minimal weekend commitments, allowing time for them to enjoy their weekends. The summers-off program offers nurses the ability to work nine months out of the year and enjoy the summer months traveling and spending time with their families.

 

 

As shown above, approximately half (52 percent) of the 2007 AARP Best Employers offer formal, phased-retirement programs, which allow employees to work reduced schedules for certain periods of time prior to full retirement. With phased-retirement programs, employers are able to retain experienced workers for longer periods of time, while employees are given more comfortable ways to make the transition to retirement.

 

First Horizon National Corp., a financial services corporation in Memphis, Tenn., offers a phased-retirement program. The company’s employees who have at least one year of service may reduce their work hours to 20-32 hours a week and maintain full-time benefits.

 

Scottsdale Healthcare in Scottsdale, Ariz., approaches phased retirement through its seasonal leave program, in which employees can work six months of the year, then take six months off. "I’m 64 years old and plan to retire in two years," says a Scottsdale employee. "This is a great way to transition to retirement while still keeping my benefits active."

 

The 2007 Best Employers also incorporate flexibility when tapping into the experience of workers who have already retired. Many bring in retirees for short-term assignments or permit retirees to work up to a set number of hours while continuing to collect full pension benefits.

 

In addition to flexible-work arrangements and phased retirement, many of the 2007 honoree employers embrace flexibility through their commitment to community service and philanthropy. For example, Pinnacol Assurance, an insurance company headquartered in Denver, has a longstanding commitment to give back to Colorado communities. Through Pinnacol’s volunteer program, employees are given up to 12 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer in the community. In 2006, sponsored by Pinnacol, employees worked 4,000 hours for charitable organizations in the community.

 

With continued advances in technology and the need to stay connected and committed to age-50+ employees, more and more employers will undoubtedly look for ways to add flexibility to their work arrangements.  The practices of the AARP Best Employers serve as models for other employers to consider.