Age Smart Employer

People are living longer, and working longer, too.

In New York City, 700,000 workers are over 55 —18% of the workforce. Many will work well past traditional retirement age. Employers need guidance on how to create a workplace that encourages different generations to work productively and profitably side-by-side.

The Age Smart Employer Awards – an initiative of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center and The New York Academy of Medicine, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation – aims to address this need by researching and identifying best practices, honoring employers who value workers of all ages, and supporting businesses looking to maximize the potential of their workers as they age. Read more…

Small businesses are NYC’s largest employer. In 2014 and 2015, we asked 100+ small business owners and advisors about their older workers. Time and time again we heard stories of workers who are critical to a business’s operations and survival. Owners also told us that paying special attention to retaining and hiring older workers is one of the simplest solutions to common staffing challenges they face, like frequent worker turnover, skill shortages and succession planning.

Have you retained workers for many years? Do you value your workers of all ages?

Apply for the 2015 Age Smart Employer Awards.  Last year’s winners were featured in national and local news and one was invited to the White House.

The Age Smart Employer Awards—an initiative of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center and The New York Academy of Medicine, funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation— addresses the needs of both businesses and older workers by:

• Researching best practices of NYC employers, especially small businesses
• Honoring employers who value workers of all ages through an awards program
• Supporting businesses interested in hiring and retaining older worker