From MarketWatch 09/09/09

More than just a job

AARP's top firms for those 50 and older emphasize workplace flexibility, health

By Andrea Coombes, MarketWatch

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- With 14.9 million Americans out of work
and the unemployment rate at a 26-year-high of 9.7%, plenty of people
are happy simply to have a job, never mind any special perks. But even
in this economic downturn, the companies on AARP's list of top 50 "best
workplaces" for people over 50 go a long way to make life a little
easier for their workers.

At Cornell University -- No. 1 on the list for the second year in a row
-- workers have the option to telecommute or work compressed weeks.
They can take paid-time-off for care-giving, and participate in a
wellness program that includes consulting with a doctor to develop a
written exercise and nutrition plan. Workers have access to campus
fitness centers and swimming pools, plus nutrition and exercise
classes.

Men suffer in jobless figures

The widening unemployment rate has a gender gap and men are feeling the
brunt of it. WSJ's Jon Hilsenrath says thanks to the struggling
manufacturing, finance and construction industries, unemployment for
men is the highest its been for 27 years.

About 36% of the school's workers are over 50.

Meanwhile, Cornell's retirees enjoy a health-insurance and drug plan
subsidized by the university, plus access to free classes at the
school, and a program that helps them find part-time work if they want
it -- either on campus or off.

And though the school has been forced to lay off some workers during
the downturn, it's working to do it's best for those who remain, said
Mary Opperman, vice president for human resources at Cornell
University.

"We don't have the money to add expensive programs or do things that
require a lot of dollars, but that doesn't mean that our values or our
principles wane," Opperman said. "If you want your work force to be
loyal, you have to be loyal to your work force."

Benefiting old and young alike

Companies that aim to improve conditions for workers 50-and-older also tend to be good places for other employees too.

"A lot of the policies and practices that we highlight with this award
are not just good for older workers but for all workers," said Deborah
Russell, director of work-force issues at AARP.

At First Horizon National Corp., the financial-services firm at No. 2
on AARP's list this year, a program that lets eligible workers phase
into retirement also lets employees phase into working more hours --
for example, after taking time off to have kids.

"After you're with our company for one year you can apply for a
'prime-time schedule,'" said Vicki Dye, a culture and work-life manager
at First Horizon National, in Memphis, Tenn. "This works for a working
mother phasing back into the work force as well as for older workers
who want to phase into retirement," she said, noting that workers who
qualify can drop to as little as 20 hours a week and still maintain
full-time benefits.

"Our work-force flexibility is one of our greatest and most utilized benefits for all employees of any age," Dye said.

And older worker sometimes appreciate benefits aimed at younger
workers: One 52-year-old employee took advantage of First Horizon's
up-to-$3,000-per-year tuition reimbursement to get her college degree.
The company also employs a "retiree employee relations manager" to help
workers of all ages plan for retirement. About 27% of the firm's
employees are 50 or older.

First Horizon also offer a job-share program, and a "flexible dollars"
program -- essentially, workers are given money they can use to pay for
out-of-pocket health-care or other benefit costs, or to contribute to
their retirement plan. The company spends an average of about $2,500
per worker each year through the program.

Tech happy

Intel Corp. -- No. 44 on AARP's list and one of the few technology
firms included -- also offers flexibility, including compressed work
weeks, telecommuting and working flexible hours.

Plus, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based firm gives workers access to
resources and support for their care-giving needs, whether for aging
parents or younger children -- or both.

"Many of those around or over 50 are in that sandwich generation,
caring for older parents or relatives as well as their children," said
Dana Vandecoevering, a work-life program manager at Intel.

"A growing number of our employees are caring for elderly relatives,"
she said. About 20% of the firm's U.S.-based work force is 50 or older.

Health, too, is a key focus at Intel. Workers can get a check-up right
on site at the larger Intel offices. Then they complete a health-risk
assessment, and meet with a wellness coach. "You can ... develop with
them a personalized program. It's all on site. It's very convenient.
And at each step of the way you get a $25 gift card," Vandecoevering
said.

Along with an emphasis on wellness, and seminars that help workers
prepare for retirement, Intel also offers 12 weeks of unpaid "life
event" leave for those dealing with family emergencies -- for example,
if one parent dies and the other one needs help moving to a new home,
Vandecoevering said.

Top 50 employers for workers over 50

Companies interested in being considered for AARP's list fill out an
application, including a detailed questionnaire. Their answers are
scored, and then a panel of independent judges reviews the results.
Each finalist is vetted by AARP representatives. A total of 202
companies -- more than in any other year -- applied for this year's
list.