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Age Friendly
Employer Certification |
Program Summary
RetirementJobs.com’s Age Friendly Employer Certification is an initiative to identify employers that maintain policies, practices and programs consistent with employment of people age 50 and older based solely on their proficiency, qualifications and contribution. Also, terms and conditions of employment are comparable to younger individuals. Further, Certification indicates an employer’s recognition of the unique value of age 50+ workers as well as their commitment to take affirmative action in providing meaningful employment, development opportunities and competitive pay and benefits.
All employers posting jobs at RetirementJobs.com will be asked to participate in the certification evaluation process. Those unable or unwilling to participate in the Certification process will not be permitted to have their job openings displayed on the RetirementJobs.com web site among those designated as Age Friendly.
Certification Purpose
The purpose of the Age Friendly Employer Certification program is to assist age 50+ job seekers by identifying those employers committed to objectively considering them for appropriate employment, free of age bias or discrimination. Age Friendly Certified employers want age 50+ candidates to know they are valued for their knowledge, maturity, reliability and productivity.
Best Practices Model
RetirementJobs.com's research and evaluation of the recruiting, employment and human resources policies, practices and programs of recognized Age Friendly employers yields a model of proven “best practices.” This “best practices” model is the basis of the
Certification evaluation program. The twelve categories of “best practices” are:
- General Commitment and Workforce Policies
- Organization Culture and Employee Relations
- Workforce Planning and Composition
- Employee Retention
- Candidate Recruiting
- Management Style and Practices
- Training and Development
- Job Content and Process Accommodations
- Work Schedules, Arrangements and Time Off
- Compensation Programs
- Healthcare Benefits
- Savings and Retirement Benefits
Within each category are several established prominent “best practice” policies, practices and programs that comprise the framework of the RetirementJobs’ Certification evaluation process.
Certification and Recognition
The certification granted by RetirementJobs.com is
Certified Age Friendly Employer. This certification is issued following successful completion of the initial
Certification evaluation by RetirementJobs.com staff.
Certified employers will be listed on the RetirementJobs website and in publicity material. The Certification seal is inserted on Age Friendly employer profiles and individual job postings. Further, the employer is encouraged to place the seal on their own homepage career site and on postings at other online sites.
Eligibility
Eligibility for Certification consideration is open to employers posting
jobs on RetirementJobs.com at no charge. Employers not posting jobs
but still seeking to receive Age-Friendly Employer Certification may
participate in the evaluation for a custom fee of up to $2500 depending
on company size.
Certification Evaluation Process
The Certification evaluation process is entirely confidential. Evaluations are performed exclusively by RetirementJobs.com Research & Certification staff members who are highly experienced Human Resources professionals. The evaluation relies principally on employer self-reporting and LexisNexis database information. Evaluations can be performed before or immediately after an employer’s posting of jobs. The primary steps of the evaluation include:
- Application or Letter of Interest – Employers may submit an evaluation application or letter of interest. Employers posting jobs are contacted automatically by RetirementJobs’ staff.
- Process Review Discussion – A RetirementJobs staff member will contact the employer to explain the Certification program and the entire evaluation process.
- Evaluation Questionnaire – Participating employers complete a confidential online questionnaire of recruiting and employment policies, practices and programs. This questionnaire encompasses the twelve categories of known best practices related to age friendly employers.
- Questionnaire Evaluation – The employer’s online questionnaire submission is reviewed by RetirementJobs and follow up discussions are held as appropriate to insure accuracy and validity. Additional material or information may be requested of the employer.
- Related Recognition – Other public recognition as an age friendly employer is considered favorably in the evaluation process.
- Renewal and Recertification – Ideally, recertification is completed every twelve months. In this way, employers seeking to maintain the currency of their certification are assured of a scheduled review.
Certification ValidationThe
Age Friendly Employer Certification process has been examined by members of RetirementJobs.com's independent Board of Advisors, comprised of leading academics and professionals, and has been determined to fairly and accurately assess appropriate employer “best practices” for workers age 50 and older. The
Age Friendly Employer Certification factors and process will evolve and be updated continuously as supportive employers and age 50+ workers reshape the workforce of the future.
