University of Massachusetts Medical School

Winning Years: 2011
Industry: Education: Other
Location: Worcester, Mass.
Website: www.umassmed.edu

As a result of a Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office online climate survey, the University of Massachusetts Medical School's (UMMS) Mature Workforce Committee developed a Program for the Mature Worker to address issues related specifically to older worker satisfaction.

See also: How the 2011 Best Employers winners were selected.

Additional Policies and Practices:

Recruiting: UMMS hires mature employees through various Internet sites and job fairs.

Workplace Culture / Continued Opportunities: Employees working 20 or more hours per week are offered tuition reimbursement, certification classes and in-house classroom training. In addition, full- and part-time employees receive online training.

Long-service anniversaries are celebrated with parties, awards and gifts.

Because of employee requests for healthier cafeteria food, UMMS worked with cafeteria vendors to add new labeling on food items sold as well as provide healthier food options.

Employees have opportunities to gain new experiences by working on team projects, in temporary assignments and through formal job rotation programs.

Accommodations that have been made by UMMS include the purchase of assistive technology such as Dragon software for those with visual impairment and offering flexible work schedules for employees with disabilities.

Benefits/Health: Employees working 20 or more hours per week receive individual and family medical and prescription drug coverage, individual and family vision and dental insurance, as well as long-term disability.

Health benefits for retirees include individual and spouse medical and drug coverage, individual and spouse vision and dental coverage, employee assistance program (EAP) services, as well as individual life insurance or other death benefit coverage. Pre-65 retirees also receive individual long-term care insurance.

All of the above benefits are available to new hires upon retirement.

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are available to assist in covering out-of-pocket health care costs.

Next: Financial benefits and alternative work arrangements. >>