Tuesday, September 25, 2007
[IWS] AARP: 2007 BEST EMPLOYERS for WORKERS OVER 50 [25 September 2007]
IWS Documented News Service
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________
AARP
Multi-national SC Johnson Heads AARP's 2007 List of Best Employers for Workers Over 50
Principal, Michelin North America Among Other Corporate Leaders Demonstrating World Class Policies Toward 50+ Employees / News Release
September 25, 2007
http://www.aarp.org/research/work/employment/bestemployers.html
A number of major multi-national corporations are demonstrating that enlightened policies toward 50+ employees make good business sense, based on the 2007 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.
SC Johnson, the consumer packaged goods company based in Racine, Wisconsin, with operations in more than 70 countries, is the top finisher. Along with other forward-looking practices, the company offers a range of flexible work arrangements that enable workers to balance their professional and personal lives.
SC Johnson provides generous health benefits, including an on-site medical center and various wellness, fitness and recreation programs; an on-site education program that provides lifelong learning and college credits; and paid sabbaticals to experienced employees. The company also offers comprehensive financial benefits and retirement planning tools.
Other large, successful companies, including the Principal Financial Group (# 9) and Michelin North America (# 44), gained honors in what is the seventh year of AARP's annual Best Employers search.
"International companies that take a world class approach in their policies toward 50 and over workers understand that the result is more productive employees," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli in announcing this year's winners.
"Focusing on the employee's personal needs pays dividends," added Novelli. "It is important that more employers - both large and small - recognize what tremendous assets 50 and over employees represent because of their experience and motivation."
The Best Employers winners will be honored at a dinner in New York, NY, on September 26, 2007. A CEO roundtable discussion focusing on the international best practices report, developed by global professional services firm Towers Perrin, will take place earlier that day. An international conference - titled "Profit From Experience" - will follow on September 27, 2007, also in New York, NY.
AARP The Magazine will feature the Best Employers winners in its November-December issue.
Last year's leader, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI, was a top choice again this year, finishing second. The not-for-profit provides a variety of alternative work arrangements, including nursing "float" options (work at different facilities or departments), and "seasonal work" programs that allow employees to go on leave for lengthy periods while maintaining benefits eligibility.
Among the major corporate firms, The Principal, based in Des Moines, Iowa, allows flexible scheduling choices and has an ambitious "Working Caregiver Leave" program that allows employees the option to work a part-time schedule for up to 12 weeks a year while maintaining job security and full benefits. Virtually all employees are eligible for both a pension and 40l (k) retirement plan; the company maintains automatic enrollment in its 40l (k) program.
Michelin North America provides flexible work schedules, temporary assignments for workers in other departments, and access to formal job rotations. A part-time work policy is in place for retirees.
Nine of the top 10 Best Employers are former winners. The new honoree is #8, George Mason University of Fairfax, Virginia. George Mason strongly encourages and supports flextime and telecommuting options for employees. More than two thirds (69 percent) of its workers use some form of flextime.
AARP invites employers to apply for the Best Employers honor by submitting an application outlining their exemplary policies and practices toward 50 and over workers.
The candidates undergo extensive vetting prior to the final selections. Key areas of consideration are: 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 pension benefits; retiree benefits; and age diversity of the workforce.
In addition to the main Best Employers selections, AARP announced today the winners of its annual Bernard E. Nash Awards for Innovation. These honorees, chosen from all applicants for the Best Employers honor, are spotlighted for achievement in at least one of these areas: flexible work options, recruitment, retiree work opportunities, and training and development.
The 2007 Innovation winners are: flexible work options, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI; retiree work opportunities, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation of Huntsville, Alabama, and training and development opportunities, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association of Chicago, IL.
2007 AARP Best Employers Winners
Rank, Company Name
1. SC Johnson (Racine, WI)
2. Mercy Health System (Janesville, WI)
3. First Horizon National Corporation (Memphis, TN)
4. Scripps Health (San Diego, CA)
5. Stanley Consultants (Muscatine, IA)
6. Lee Memorial Health System (Fort Myers, FL)
7. Leesburg Regional Medical Center & The Villages Regional Hospital (Leesburg, FL)
8. George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)
9. Principal Financial Group (Des Moines, IA)
10. Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
11. MidMichigan Health (Midland, MI)
12. Bon Secours Richmond Health System (Richmond, VA)
13. The YMCA of Greater Rochester (Rochester, NY)
14. Brevard Public Schools (Viera, FL)
15. Atlantic Health (Morristown, NJ)
16. ACUITY (Sheboygan, WI)
17. Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Auburn Hills, MI)
18. Saint Vincent Health System (Erie, PA)
19. Trinitas Hospital (Elizabeth, NJ)
20. Securian (St. Paul, MN)
21. Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL)
22. Pinnacle Health System (Harrisburg, PA)
23. The Aerospace Corporation (El Segundo, CA)
24. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
25. Pinnacol Assurance (Denver, CO)
26. Jennings Center for Older Adults (Garfield Heights, OH)
27. John Deere (Moline, IL)
28. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System (Greenville, SC)
29. Centegra Health System (Crystal Lake, IL)
30. Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)
31. Durham Regional Hospital (Durham, NC)
32. Rush-Copley Medical Center (Aurora, IL)
33. Monongalia General Hospital (Morgantown, WV)
34. Saint Barnabas Health Care Organization (West Orange, NJ)
35. Express Personnel Services (Oklahoma City, OK)
36. Ochsner Health System (New Orleans, LA)
37. Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (Huntsville, AL)
38. Hospice of Marion County & Affiliated Companies (Ocala, FL)
39. West Virginia University Hospitals (Morgantown, WV)
40. University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX)
41. Scottsdale Healthcare (Scottsdale, AZ)
42. Vanguard (Valley Forge, PA)
43. Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, OH)
44. Michelin North America (Greenville, SC)
45. St. John Health (Warren, MI)
46. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (Chicago, IL)
47. Noblis, Inc. (formerly Mitretek Systems) (Falls Church, VA)
48. Frankford Candy & Chocolate Co. (Philadelphia, PA)
49. Centers for New Horizons (Chicago, IL)
50. Girl Scouts of Nassau County (Garden City, NY)
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************
_______________________________
Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach
School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell University
16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky
New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau
________________________________________________________________________
AARP
Multi-national SC Johnson Heads AARP's 2007 List of Best Employers for Workers Over 50
Principal, Michelin North America Among Other Corporate Leaders Demonstrating World Class Policies Toward 50+ Employees / News Release
September 25, 2007
http://www.aarp.org/research/work/employment/bestemployers.html
A number of major multi-national corporations are demonstrating that enlightened policies toward 50+ employees make good business sense, based on the 2007 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.
SC Johnson, the consumer packaged goods company based in Racine, Wisconsin, with operations in more than 70 countries, is the top finisher. Along with other forward-looking practices, the company offers a range of flexible work arrangements that enable workers to balance their professional and personal lives.
SC Johnson provides generous health benefits, including an on-site medical center and various wellness, fitness and recreation programs; an on-site education program that provides lifelong learning and college credits; and paid sabbaticals to experienced employees. The company also offers comprehensive financial benefits and retirement planning tools.
Other large, successful companies, including the Principal Financial Group (# 9) and Michelin North America (# 44), gained honors in what is the seventh year of AARP's annual Best Employers search.
"International companies that take a world class approach in their policies toward 50 and over workers understand that the result is more productive employees," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli in announcing this year's winners.
"Focusing on the employee's personal needs pays dividends," added Novelli. "It is important that more employers - both large and small - recognize what tremendous assets 50 and over employees represent because of their experience and motivation."
The Best Employers winners will be honored at a dinner in New York, NY, on September 26, 2007. A CEO roundtable discussion focusing on the international best practices report, developed by global professional services firm Towers Perrin, will take place earlier that day. An international conference - titled "Profit From Experience" - will follow on September 27, 2007, also in New York, NY.
AARP The Magazine will feature the Best Employers winners in its November-December issue.
Last year's leader, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI, was a top choice again this year, finishing second. The not-for-profit provides a variety of alternative work arrangements, including nursing "float" options (work at different facilities or departments), and "seasonal work" programs that allow employees to go on leave for lengthy periods while maintaining benefits eligibility.
Among the major corporate firms, The Principal, based in Des Moines, Iowa, allows flexible scheduling choices and has an ambitious "Working Caregiver Leave" program that allows employees the option to work a part-time schedule for up to 12 weeks a year while maintaining job security and full benefits. Virtually all employees are eligible for both a pension and 40l (k) retirement plan; the company maintains automatic enrollment in its 40l (k) program.
Michelin North America provides flexible work schedules, temporary assignments for workers in other departments, and access to formal job rotations. A part-time work policy is in place for retirees.
Nine of the top 10 Best Employers are former winners. The new honoree is #8, George Mason University of Fairfax, Virginia. George Mason strongly encourages and supports flextime and telecommuting options for employees. More than two thirds (69 percent) of its workers use some form of flextime.
AARP invites employers to apply for the Best Employers honor by submitting an application outlining their exemplary policies and practices toward 50 and over workers.
The candidates undergo extensive vetting prior to the final selections. Key areas of consideration are: 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 pension benefits; retiree benefits; and age diversity of the workforce.
In addition to the main Best Employers selections, AARP announced today the winners of its annual Bernard E. Nash Awards for Innovation. These honorees, chosen from all applicants for the Best Employers honor, are spotlighted for achievement in at least one of these areas: flexible work options, recruitment, retiree work opportunities, and training and development.
The 2007 Innovation winners are: flexible work options, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI; retiree work opportunities, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation of Huntsville, Alabama, and training and development opportunities, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association of Chicago, IL.
2007 AARP Best Employers Winners
Rank, Company Name
1. SC Johnson (Racine, WI)
2. Mercy Health System (Janesville, WI)
3. First Horizon National Corporation (Memphis, TN)
4. Scripps Health (San Diego, CA)
5. Stanley Consultants (Muscatine, IA)
6. Lee Memorial Health System (Fort Myers, FL)
7. Leesburg Regional Medical Center & The Villages Regional Hospital (Leesburg, FL)
8. George Mason University (Fairfax, VA)
9. Principal Financial Group (Des Moines, IA)
10. Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA)
11. MidMichigan Health (Midland, MI)
12. Bon Secours Richmond Health System (Richmond, VA)
13. The YMCA of Greater Rochester (Rochester, NY)
14. Brevard Public Schools (Viera, FL)
15. Atlantic Health (Morristown, NJ)
16. ACUITY (Sheboygan, WI)
17. Volkswagen of America, Inc. (Auburn Hills, MI)
18. Saint Vincent Health System (Erie, PA)
19. Trinitas Hospital (Elizabeth, NJ)
20. Securian (St. Paul, MN)
21. Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL)
22. Pinnacle Health System (Harrisburg, PA)
23. The Aerospace Corporation (El Segundo, CA)
24. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)
25. Pinnacol Assurance (Denver, CO)
26. Jennings Center for Older Adults (Garfield Heights, OH)
27. John Deere (Moline, IL)
28. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System (Greenville, SC)
29. Centegra Health System (Crystal Lake, IL)
30. Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)
31. Durham Regional Hospital (Durham, NC)
32. Rush-Copley Medical Center (Aurora, IL)
33. Monongalia General Hospital (Morgantown, WV)
34. Saint Barnabas Health Care Organization (West Orange, NJ)
35. Express Personnel Services (Oklahoma City, OK)
36. Ochsner Health System (New Orleans, LA)
37. Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (Huntsville, AL)
38. Hospice of Marion County & Affiliated Companies (Ocala, FL)
39. West Virginia University Hospitals (Morgantown, WV)
40. University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX)
41. Scottsdale Healthcare (Scottsdale, AZ)
42. Vanguard (Valley Forge, PA)
43. Fairfield Medical Center (Lancaster, OH)
44. Michelin North America (Greenville, SC)
45. St. John Health (Warren, MI)
46. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (Chicago, IL)
47. Noblis, Inc. (formerly Mitretek Systems) (Falls Church, VA)
48. Frankford Candy & Chocolate Co. (Philadelphia, PA)
49. Centers for New Horizons (Chicago, IL)
50. Girl Scouts of Nassau County (Garden City, NY)
______________________________
This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.
Stuart Basefsky
Director, IWS News Bureau
Institute for Workplace Studies
Cornell/ILR School
16 E. 34th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Telephone: (607) 255-2703
Fax: (607) 255-9641
E-mail: smb6@cornell.edu
****************************************
# posted by SBasefsky : 10:43 AM
