Best Employers for Workers Over 50

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If you’re over 50 and looking for a tech job, you’ve no doubt run into the brick wall of age discrimination. These days, HR managers and recruiters will couch it under terms like you’re overqualified or you lack the up-to-date computer skills.

 

Employment ads will try to screen you out with words like “high energy” and “fast paced.” You’ve tried in vain to get around these tactics by omitting early jobs from your resume and leaving off college graduation dates. You begin to ask yourself if there are there any employers left out there who value your experience, maturity and business savvy.

 

Take heart. The AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 program thinks you have what it takes. Cosponsored by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the program awards businesses and organizations that develop progressive policies and practices for today’s over-50 job seekers. 

 

Companies Cover a Wide Spectrum

This year, the National Institutes of Health ranked number one in the 2013 winners at the SHRM national conference in Chicago. The list of 50 winners covers health care, universities, financial services, construction, aerospace, and federal and county government. The companies include such major players as Scripps Health, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, S&T Bank and Michelin North America. In a statement accompanying the list, AARP noted, that boomers "will be increasingly crucial to the success of the U.S. economy over the coming decade."

 

Program’s Pledge Hopes to Go Viral

A key AARP program goal seeks to share the best practices of these forward thinking employers with the general business community and to enhance employment opportunities for boomers. Many employers on the list have taken AARP’s Work Reimagined Pledge, which says they will recruit from the full spectrum of age groups and consider all applicants on an equal basis. The program’s selection criteria includes:

 

  • Recruiting practices
  • Opportunities for training, education and career development
  • Workplace accommodations
  • Flexible scheduling, job-sharing and phased retirement
  • Employee health and pension benefits
  • Benefits for retirees

 

MIT Makes the List

If you thought tech employers are only fixated on the young, consider this: MIT has just received AARP’s "Best Employer for Workers Over 50" award—for the seventh time. Alison Alden, HR VP at MIT, applauds the award. “Our objective at MIT is to promote a workplace of inclusion that welcomes and supports people of varying backgrounds, different viewpoints, experience, talents and ideas—a multi-generational workforce is critical to achieve that outcome," said Alden.

 

U.S. Needs a Boomer Workforce

By 2016, one-third of the total U.S. workforce will be 50 or older, a 28 percent jump from 2007. The percentage of workers in their early 20s is projected to decline, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Attracting and retaining mature, experienced employees is becoming a major factor for employers looking to fill critical skill shortages and keep their competitive edge in today’s marketplace.

 

Tired of getting rejected for your age? Check out AARP’s Best Employers for Workers Over 50.

 

Image courtesy of photostock/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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  • Phuong N
    Phuong N •
    that is so sour for workers over 50 who want to seek a job to be alive for the rest of their lives. They have talents, experiences but useless when HR manager or recruiters deny them. So! how the job markets fix these problem.
  • Karen B
    Karen B •
    I am a worker over 50 I am trying not to beleive this but I find it to be  true. So sad, to young to retire and to old to work in some employers eyes, it is not our fault company move to other city and it is still going on we still have to  work. So thank you for this.
  • John W
    John W •
    The article is uplifting.Vocational Rehabilitation told me I should never take my college degrees and experience off my resume.  "But, I need a job."  Another VR office said they closed my case because "you have too much eduction" and told the main office in Jefferson City, MO, they closed it as I have "uncontrollable seizures" (which have never been a problem in conducting college classes.  I was forced to accept SSDI.  
  • RICARDO P
    RICARDO P •
    This was an inspiring article, giving me renewed hope and added energy to continue my search for employment, Thanks
  • Douglas S
    Douglas S •
    I did not see this coming as a mainframe background its been tuff trying to get a job with benefits...and to get into the midrange market
  • Aaron R
    Aaron R •
    AARP is making a great try, but the realities of economics will keep employers looking for  younger employees.  Simply put, that keeps their health insurance expenses down.  The only way out of this situation is to separate health insurance from employment.
  • carol l
    carol l •
    This article was good and told the truth about age discrimination. Job well done!
  • Henry L F
    Henry L F •
    When AARP quits supporting Obama I will pay more attention to what they have to offer. Supporting Obama mean that AARP is anti America, anti military, and anti private jobs.
  • Stanley G
    Stanley G •
    Interesting article, just made me curious, due to I am employed, but feel the company is not appreciate of my time with them or the skills I offer, all of the appointment for advancement are strictly assigned younger folks with no experience...Oh well will keep searching and  with your assistance will find some employer that will use my skills and experience
  • Rick B
    Rick B •
    I think your information is completely worthless.  Tell us the list of companies and I might feel differently.  I've been hearing this line of bull for a long time.
  • Boniface N
    Boniface N •
    A skill set is a terrible thing to waste.
  • Butch N
    Butch N •
    I completely agree with this article.  My skills and experience are current.  I am high technical but I'm on my third month looking for a job and only got 2 phone interviews so far.  I submit somewhere between 12 to 15 applications a week and networking a lot.  I'm beginning to think it's because of my age.
  • David T
    David T •
    Its good that the AARP is finally fighting in the older workers corner.There is no doubt that age discrimination exists in this country.But nobody tries to prove it because it is very hard to prove.There are already companys and ceos that are lobbying Washington to raise the retirement age to 70 because they realize that the younger work force will be depleted within the next ten years.They are stating that they will need older workers.I just hope that they do not raise the retirement age for this reason.Im 57 and I have about 9 years left to work.I would like to leave myself open for a better opportunity within that time.But not work until Im 70.
  • Edgar F
    Edgar F •
    I continue to look for going on about 8 months and so far no offers for interviews...although have a contract job that pays half of what I make and no insurance benefits!
  • Evie G
    Evie G •
    In theory, this is wonderful, but I do not live near these employers (I looked them up).  I have a home and family here, so even if they were to hire me, I am not willing to move.  I am 63, highly energetic. used to working in a fast paced environment, and have excellent computer skills.  I don't need special workplace accommodations, a flexible schedule, or phased out retirement.  I just need a job where I can be treated the same as the 30 year olds.
  • tommy p
    tommy p •
    I think this is great
  • Bobby P
    Bobby P •
    Employers don't seem to want experience anymore, why I don't know, but there are a lot of over 50 folks that have skills that are going to waste.  I'm not sure I would want to work for a company that doesn't want experience.
  • William B
    William B •
    I wholeheartedly agree with the "Hidden" methods Employers use to circumvent hiring a “person of age” these days. Its too bad the younger generation today doesn’t respect their elders as we were taught to do when we were young as they are now!
  • John K
    John K •
    I know the feeling. There is very real discrimination for those of us over 50. I am 66, exceptionally qualified and would like to go back to work after being forced to retire.
  • JD S
    JD S •
    I am getting a little "square-eyed" about faced paced and energetic. Everyone who is above 40-ish isn't in their grave yet. What are these businesses gonna do when crunch time comes and they can't find the instruction manuals or remember the formula for the pressure in a cylinder. Some of us have the experience to get the job accomplished instead of waiting for proper protocol. Companies should rely more on merit and experience than the 26 yr old who hesitates for fear of failure and losing his cushy college job.
  • Archie H
    Archie H •
    Age discrimination is about all I've ran into while searching for another suitable position in the IT sector.I guess having 29 years of experience, coupled with a degree in engineering is just something that no one now a days really needs (or wants). Too bad too. Because I feel I have a whole lot to offer any prospective employer. But I guess they'd rather hire some kid straight out of college (who doesn't know anything).
  • David M. M
    David M. M •
    This article is dead on!  And it's not just descriminating practises in the IT field.  I've gone so far as to omit my former rank of SVP in my 18 month hunt for a new marketing position.I don't understand these young HR know-it-alls, who don't stop to think that seniors will not affect the retirement fund and the fact that we bring a ton of fire-tested experience to the table.  If they were half as smart as they think they are they'd be recruiting us for 5-10 years with a strong Succession Plan.  Hey, that's free training!Shaw said it best... "Youth IS wasted on the young!" Ahh, NOW I feel better.
  • Thomas G
    Thomas G •
    Younger workers may have graduated university, but most can't read, write, or spell, because the public school systems failed to teach the basics in favor of sports, self esteem, and bringing everyone down to the lowest levels. Sad.
  • Donald D
    Donald D •
    I am over 50 and looking for tech jobs.  Every company that I do a call back states they are going in another direction or I don't meet the qualifications.  Age discrimination is very hard to prove.
  • DONNA J
    DONNA J •
    I have felt age discrimination when applying for clerical & administrative positions at tech companies.  Despite my experience, there seems to be a feeling that I am too old to learn any new skills!

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