In an announcement by AARP (formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons) Deere & Co. is among 25 employers in 17 states named as “Best Employers for Workers over 50” – a one-of-a-kind award in the nation.
AARP President Jim Parkel says the light highlights the outstanding efforts of employers to give over-50 employees greater flexibility and training to update their skills. He notes this emphasis is a sure indicator of the growing importance of the older workforce to the success of individual companies.
The winners reportedly excelled in many of the categories that were evaluated, including retirement practices, continuing opportunities for advancement, flexible work schedules, and benefits for current and retired employees.
“This award is significant in that it highlights Deere & Co.’s overall efforts to attract and retain employees from all segments of the population,” comments Mert Hornbuckle, vice president of human resources, Deere & Co., Moline, Ill. “We are honored to be named to the list and view it as recognition of our efforts to provide continuing career opportunities for our employees.”
The honorees represent a diverse group in terms of size, ranging from internationally known firms like John Deere, as well as Volkswagon of America and Whirlpool Corp., to smaller employers, such as Ultratech, San Jose, Calif., and Bretheren Village, Lancaster, Pa., each with a few hundred employees.
The AARP Best Employers for Workers over 50 will be honored at a dinner in New York City. AARP said the honorees were selected after it invited employers to apply for the Best Employer designation by describing their innovative practices toward 50 and over workers in an extensive questionnaire. A consulting firm, NFP WorldGroup, Atlanta, Ga., did the preliminary rating of responses and a panel of five outside judges – including human resources experts, academics and experts on aging workforce issues – selected the finalists.