AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Award – International

The AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Award - International (formerly AARP International Innovative Employer Award) recognizes non-U.S.-based employers whose innovative workforce and /or human resource practices accomplish the following:

• Address issues relevant to age 50+ workers
• Create roadmaps for the aging workforce of tomorrow
  

This program parallels AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Award, which has recognized U.S.-based companies for good workforce and human resource practices since 2001.
 
As the proportion of workers age 25 to 44 declines, attracting and retaining mature, experienced employees is becoming increasingly critical for employers seeking to retain their competitive edge in today's marketplace. By recognizing employers around the world that have demonstrated innovative efforts to address issues relevant to older workers, AARP hopes to encourage all employers to create mutually beneficial environments in which the potential of young and mature workers are valued alike.

Eligibility and Application Process

The AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Award - International is open to all non-U.S.-based employers as well as the foreign subsidiaries/operations of U.S.-based companies. From the applications we receive each year, AARP selects 15 international companies and organizations that have demonstrated the most positive workplace policies for mature workers. We also reward employers that recognize long-term employees for their commitments.

AARP's assessment takes a number of factors into account, including the following:

Recruiting practices

Workplace culture

Lifelong learning opportunities

Education and job-training opportunities

Openness to continuing success and career development

Alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, telecommuting, job-sharing and phased-in retirement

Employee benefits that support the health and financial security of employees

Workplace design, such as ergonomic work stations or facilities

Retiree relations

Our selections are also informed by recommendations from a panel of international expert judges.    

Additionally, because AARP is committed to its overall mission of enhancing the quality of life for people as they age — and in ways that benefit societies as a whole — the selection process also has a due diligence component to ensure that any organization receiving the AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Award - International has practices that are generally consistent with AARP's public policies and values. The following question represents an issue that AARP has explored during the due diligence process: Has the employer been subject to an unreasonable number of employment discrimination settlements, convictions or discrimination-based legal actions?

To engage international organizations on the issues facing the aging workforce, and to promote the best policies and the award, AARP collaborates with a network of international groups that have expertise on age and employment issues. The collaborating organizations provide local and regional expertise, help promote the award and support the best practices we discover through the award process. This year, we would like to thank the following groups for teaming up with us:

50&Piú — Italy

BAGSO — Germany

CARP — Canada

Council for Third Age — Singapore

DDN — The Demography Network — Germany

The Gerontology Institute at Dortmund University — Germany

TAEN — The Age and Employment Network — United Kingdom

Next: See the 2011 Best Employers - International winners. >>