Multi-National SC
Johnson heads AARP's 2007 List of Best Employers for Workers Over
50...Principal, Michelin North America among other corporate leaders
WASHINGTON,
Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.
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 City, State
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 & Leesburg, FL
The
Villages Regional Hospital
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
