GMU: One of Best Employers for People Over 50

By Patch editor Jennifer van der Kleut

George Mason University has been ranked 13th out of 50 employers by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as one of the "2013 Best Employers for Workers Over 50."

George Mason is one of four employers named in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The other Virginia employers who made the list include Bon Secours Virginia Health System (8th) in Richmond, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (9th) in Arlington, and Virginia Commonwealth University (17th) in Richmond.

“AARP [aims to improve] opportunities for older workers by spotlighting employers that have implemented programs that help retain, re-train, engage and recruit mature workers,” says AARP Virginia State President Bob Blancato.  “Virginia’s four award winners know that recruiting and retaining 50-plus workers is smart business.”

George Mason’s Retirement Connection program is one program that helped the university obtain its ranking of 13th in the nation for the Best Employers honor. 

Retirees are given a myriad of gifts upon retirement, including complimentary tickets to the Center for the Arts and to a university basketball game, a 30-day pass to the university fitness facility, and complimentary parking for one year. 

Retirees with 30 or more years of service also receive a free lifetime membership to the fitness facility, and employees with 15 or more years of creditable service at retirement are eligible for a health insurance credit to assist with insurance premium costs.

Mason’s Life Planning/Eldercare Services is another noted program GMU offers, which helped it achieve its ranking on the list. 

"By offering free semi-monthly seminars on personal, professional and family wellness, providing eldercare consultation services, and being available for resource and referral assistance, Mason is able to support its faculty and staff in their pursuits of living healthy, happier lives on campus and at home," GMU representatives said.

“We are so proud to be listed on this year’s AARP top employers for workers over 50 list,” says Linda Harber, associate vice-president of Human Resources and Payroll at Mason. “Thanks to all of the Mason community who contribute to helping to make Mason the very special place it is today. It’s great that our caring work environment has been recognized once again.”

AARP representatives said, any U.S.-based employer with at least 50 employees is eligible to apply for the Best Employers award. Candidates are vetted to ensure that practices meet the needs of mature workers. 

Key areas of consideration include: 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 retirement benefits; and retiree work opportunities.

The top Best Employers this year will be profiled in the August-September issue of AARP The Magazine. Accompanying that salute will be a feature article that explores the strengths of older workers, according to a news release.

For a full list and for more information on the 2013 Best Employers, visit www.aarp.org/bestemployers, which includes background on employers’ workforce practices and a description of the selection process.

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