Is Your Employer Best in the Bay State?

Do you like where you work? Does your employer offer policies and practices that appeal to older workers, such as flexible work options, training opportunities, and competitive health and retirement benefits? For the first time, you can recommend your employer for the prestigious AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 awards program.

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Ahead of the curve in Massachusetts

Over the last decade, AARP has recognized a number of innovative employers across the country, including DentaQuest of Charlestown, Massachusetts General Hospital of Boston, Massachusetts Institute of Technology of Cambridge, and University of Massachusetts Medical School of Worcester.

“The Best Employers program has honored a truly diverse group of private sector, public sector and non-profit employers,” says Linda F. Fitzgerald, state president of AARP Massachusetts. “We are excited to bring workers, with their first-hand knowledge of experience with employers, directly into the nomination process.”

A commitment to older workers

By 2016, one-third of the total U.S. workforce will be age 50 or older, up from 28 percent in 2007. As the percentage of younger workers continues to decline due to lower birth rates, attracting and retaining mature, experienced employees is becoming increasingly important for employers who seek to fill critical skill shortages and retain their competitive edge in today’s marketplace.

Given to innovative employers who demonstrate a commitment to recruiting and retaining older workers, the Best Employers award is now given out every two years to allow time to develop, test and implement effective strategies to attract and retain top talent. This year, AARP has joined with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – the world’s largest association devoted to human resource management – to sponsor Best Employers, as it begins the application period for the 2013 search.

Who’s eligible to apply?

Any employer with at least 50 employees and headquartered in the United States is eligible to apply for the Best Employers program. The deadline for employee recommendations for the Best Employers program is September 30; AARP will then invite the employer to apply for the award. The application deadline for employers is Nov. 12.

An independent research firm and panel of judges comprised of national experts score applications; final ranking is based on these scores after additional review. 2013 winners will be recognized in June at the annual SHRM conference.

Recommend an employer before Sept. 30.

This is the program’s tenth awards designation since launching in 2001. View the complete list of 2011 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.