Maine Construction Company Makes the Best Employers List

Highlights of 2011 Winning Strategies

Cianbro Corporation’s Wellness Program, The Healthy Lifestyle Program, guides participants toward optimal health behaviors by identifying risks and by providing the education and coaching necessary to achieve a healthy lifestyle. The program focuses on preventive measures such as tobacco elimination, nutrition and exercise, and controlling measurable health risks such as blood pressure and cholesterol. Cianbro also covers the cost of several other benefits such as the Employee Assistance and Work/Life Balance Program and the services of Health Advocate. Through Health Advocate, team members receive assistance with resolving medical claims, finding a doctor or eldercare, setting up appointments with specialists and much more. Thirty-four percent of Cianbro employees are age 50+. The average tenure of employees age 50+ is seventeen years.

“Cianbro has demonstrated exemplary policies towards older workers and deserves this honor,” said Nancy Kelleher, AARP Maine State Director. “Their progressive policies meet the needs of mature workers and benefit their organization as well.”

Any U.S.-based employer with at least 50 employees is eligible to apply for the Best Employers award. Candidates are vetted to ensure that practices meet the needs of mature workers. Key areas of consideration include: recruiting practices; opportunities for training, education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling; job sharing and phased retirement; employee health and retirement benefits; and retiree work opportunities.

AARP is deeply committed to raising awareness around the positive results of hiring and working with older employees in America. Recruiting and retaining 50 plus workers is smart business. Employees aged 50 plus are experienced, motivated and highly engaged, all qualities that studies link to a company’s favorable performance. Like other age groups, aged 50 and over workers have been adversely affected by the economic downturn. The unemployment rate for aged 55 and over has risen in recent months, reaching 6.4 percent in April. Once unemployed, older workers continue to remain out of work longer than their younger counterparts.

The top 10 Best Employers this year will be profiled in the November issue of AARP The Magazine. Accompanying that salute will be an article by Chris Gardner advising older job seekers and other workers on what they need to do to stay competitive in today’s difficult job market. Gardner, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker, is the author of “The Pursuit of Happyness” and is AARP’s Ambassador of Pursuit and Happyness.

The 50 winners—as well as 15 AARP International Best Employers—will be honored at a dinner Sept. 13 in Chicago.