Blue Cross Blue Shield Among Best Employers for Workers Over 50

By: North Carolina | Source: AARP.org

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Durham, is one of a diverse group of forward-thinking employers named to the AARP list of 2008 Best Employers for Workers Over 50.  The complete list can be found at www.aarp.org\bestemployers.

Employers who receive the award must demonstrate policies and practices that address the needs of older workers.  Major areas of consideration include recruiting practices, education and career development, job sharing, flexible scheduling, health care and retirement benefits, and workplace accommodations.

The older workforce will be increasingly important in the future, with the availability of younger workers on the decline. Additionally, more employees nearing retirement age are making plans to stay on the job. Health and economic insecurities such as limited retirement savings and uncertain health insurance are major factors. Family caregiving responsibilities, increased longevity and a desire to stay active and to contribute also figure into the extended employment equation.

BCBS uses various recruiting websites to target mature workers and retirees.

BCBS offers the following learning and development programs to its full-and part time employees working at least  20 hours per week: tuition reimbursement, in-house classroom training, on-line training, certification classes, and on-site undergraduate and graduate degrees from Blue University and other local colleges/universities.

Full- and part-time employees working 20+ hours per week receive individual and family medical coverage, individual and family prescription drug coverage, individual and family vision and dental insurance, and short- and long-term disability. Retirees pre-65 and 65+ receive individual and spouse medical and prescription drug coverage, individual and spouse vision and dental coverage, and individual life insurance or other death benefit coverage.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina employees and retirees can participate in the Member Health Partnership,  a free self-management program that provides educational materials and self-help tools to manage their health.  

BCBS offers a 401(k) plan with employer match to its full- and part-time employees working 20 or more hours weekly.  All new hires are automatically enrolled in the plan, employees may invest in lifecycle funds, and employees 50+ can make catch-up contributions. 

BCBS offers alternative work arrangements such as flex time, compressed work schedules, job sharing, and telecommuting its full- and part-time employees. 

Full-time employees are eligible to move to part-time work on a permanent and temporary basis.