FOUR UK EMPLOYERS WIN FIRST ANNUAL AARP INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYER AWARDS 

It is the first time that TAEN has linked up with AARP, the US-based non-profit organisation representing 40 million members aged 50 and over. The new award, designed to promote best practices from employers around the world, recognises ten winners – four of whom are from the United Kingdom: 

• Agewell – Sandwell Primary Care Trust
• BT Group plc
• Centrica plc
• Domestic & General Group Limited. 

Bill Novelli, CEO, AARP, said: “The new AARP International Innovative Employer Award will focus global attention on how employers are utilising the skills and talents of older workers and establishing policies and practices that meet both companies’ and employees’ needs. 

“We are looking forward to honoring our ten inaugural winners in Chicago and expect that many more international companies and organisations will apply for consideration in 2009.” 

AARP teamed with a network of international collaborating organisations with expertise on age and employment issues to launch the new international award programme.  TAEN – The Age and Employment Network – a leading network of around 200 member organisations in the UK committed to creating an effective job market for older people, worked with AARP to encourage entries.  This has resulted in award winners who represent the healthcare, communications, utilities and insurance industries. 

Mike O’Brien, Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, UK, commented:  “I am delighted to see four UK businesses receiving this award. Good employers are alive to the value of older workers, spotting a growing pool of talent that many other businesses still miss out on. For the employee the benefits are obvious. The traditional ‘one size fits all’ approach to retirement does not suit everyone so rather than a sudden stop, they can choose to step down gradually from work. More employers need to respond to this trend and in turn, their businesses will benefit from the experience, loyalty and skills older workers can bring.” 

In welcoming the successful collaboration, Chris Ball, Chief Executive, TAEN, added: “We have always been keen to publicise good policies and practice in the employment of older people.  We were therefore delighted to work with AARP to promote the first International Innovative Employer Award.  It is particularly pleasing to see that four UK companies have won recognition for their industry-leading employment policies – the highest number of awards for a participating country. We will be working to encourage more employers to apply in 2009.”  

In all, AARP selected ten companies and organisations for having the most positive workplace policies for their mature workers. The 2008 winners represent four countries: Denmark, Germany, Singapore and the United Kingdom: 

• Agewell – Sandwell Primary Care Trust, United Kingdom
• Alexandra Hospital, Singapore
• BT Group plc,, United Kingdom
• Centrica plc,  United Kingdom
• Deutsche Bahn AG, Germany
• Domestic & General Group Limited, United Kingdom
• Horsens Kommune, Denmark 
• Loewe AG, Kronach, Germany
• SICK AG, Waldkirch, Germany
• Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd, Singapore
  

AARP considered a number of factors to select the 2008 winners from the pool of international companies that applied, including: recruiting practices; workplace culture; lifelong learning, education, and job training opportunities; opportunities for continued success and career development; alternative work options, such as flexible scheduling, telecommuting, job sharing, and flexible retirement; employee benefits that support the health and financial security of employees. 

The following organisations joined AARP to promote the award, advise on aging workforce issues in their countries and networks, and raise awareness about strategies for retaining and attracting mature workers: BAGSO and The German Gerontology Institute at Dortmund University (Germany); Council for Third Age, The National Trade Union Congress, and the Singapore National Employers Federation (Singapore); NIKKEI (Japan); TAEN – The Age and Employment Network (UK); Business Council for the United Nations; and the United Nations Association of the USA. 

The AARP International Innovative Employer Award winners, and the winners of the separate 2008 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 Award, will be honored at a dinner on October 7 in Chicago, Illinois.  A CEO roundtable will also be held that day, focusing on AARP’s new workforce assessment tool and the importance for employers of evaluating their workforce to determine future employee needs. 

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