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Multi-National SC Johnson heads AARP's 2007 list of Best Employers for Workers Over 50...Principal, Michelin North America among other corporate leaders 

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A number of major multi- national corporations are demonstrating that enlightened policies toward 50+ employees make good business sense, based on the 2007 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50.

SC Johnson, the consumer packaged goods company based in Racine, Wisconsin, with operations in more than 70 countries, is the top finisher.

Along with other forward-looking practices, the company offers a range of flexible work arrangements that enable workers to balance their professional and personal lives.

SC Johnson provides generous health benefits, including an on-site medical center and various wellness, fitness and recreation programs; an on-site education program that provides lifelong learning and college credits; and paid sabbaticals to experienced employees. The company also offers comprehensive financial benefits and retirement planning tools.

Other large, successful companies, including the Principal Financial Group (#9) and Michelin North America (#44), gained honors in what is the seventh year of AARP's annual Best Employers search.

"International companies that take a world class approach in their policies toward 50 and over workers understand that the result is more productive employees," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli in announcing this year's winners.

"Focusing on the employee's personal needs pays dividends," added Novelli. "It is important that more employers -- both large and small --recognize what tremendous assets 50 and over employees represent because of their experience and motivation."

The Best Employers winners will be honored at a dinner in New York, NY, on September 26, 2007. A CEO roundtable discussion focusing on the international best practices report, developed by global professional services firm Towers Perrin, will take place earlier that day. An international conference -- titled "Profit From Experience" -- will follow on September 27, 2007, also in New York, NY. 

Last year's leader, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI, was a top choice again this year, finishing second. The not-for-profit provides a variety of alternative work arrangements, including nursing "float" options (work at different facilities or departments), and "seasonal work" programs that allow employees to go on leave for lengthy periods while maintaining benefits eligibility.

Among the major corporate firms, The Principal, based in Des Moines, Iowa, allows flexible scheduling choices and has an ambitious "Working Caregiver Leave" program that allows employees the option to work a part-time schedule for up to 12 weeks a year while maintaining job security and full benefits. Virtually all employees are eligible for both a pension and 40l(k) retirement plan; the company maintains automatic enrollment in its 40l(k) program.

Michelin North America provides flexible work schedules, temporary assignments for workers in other departments, and access to formal job rotations. A part-time work policy is in place for retirees.

Nine of the top 10 Best Employers are former winners. The new honoree is #8, George Mason University of Fairfax, Virginia. George Mason strongly encourages and supports flextime and telecommuting options for employees.

More than two thirds (69 percent) of its workers use some form of flextime.

AARP invites employers to apply for the Best Employers honor by submitting an application outlining their exemplary policies and practices toward 50 and over workers.

The candidates undergo extensive vetting prior to the final selections.

Key areas of consideration are: 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 pension benefits; retiree benefits; and age diversity of the workforce.

In addition to the main Best Employers selections, AARP announced today the winners of its annual Bernard E. Nash Awards for Innovation. These honorees, chosen from all applicants for the Best Employers honor, are spotlighted for achievement in at least one of these areas: flexible work options, recruitment, retiree work opportunities, and training and development.

The 2007 Innovation winners are: flexible work options, Mercy Health System of Janesville, WI; retiree work opportunities, Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation of Huntsville, Alabama, and training and development opportunities, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association of Chicago, IL.

2007 AARP Best Employers Winners

    Rank, Company Name                                    City, State

    1.  SC Johnson                                                 Racine, WI

    2.  Mercy Health System                                   Janesville, WI

    3.  First Horizon National Corporation               Memphis, TN

    4.  Scripps Health                                             San Diego, CA

    5.  Stanley Consultants                                     Muscatine, IA

    6.  Lee Memorial Health System                        Fort Myers, FL

    7.  Leesburg Regional Medical Center &           Leesburg, FL

        The Villages Regional Hospital

    8.  George Mason University                             Fairfax, VA

    9.  Principal Financial Group                            Des Moines, IA

    10. Massachusetts General Hospital                 Boston, MA

    11. MidMichigan Health                                    Midland, MI

    12. Bon Secours Richmond Health System       Richmond, VA

    13. The YMCA of Greater Rochester                  Rochester, NY

    14. Brevard Public Schools                              Viera, FL

    15. Atlantic Health                                            Morristown, NJ

    16. ACUITY                                                       Sheboygan, WI

    17. Volkswagen of America, Inc.                       Auburn Hills, MI

    18. Saint Vincent Health System                       Erie, PA

    19. Trinitas Hospital                                         Elizabeth, NJ

    20. Securian                                                     St. Paul, MN

    21. Argonne National Laboratory                       Argonne, IL

    22. Pinnacle Health System                               Harrisburg, PA

    23. The Aerospace Corporation                         El Segundo, CA

    24. Cornell University                                        Ithaca, NY

    25. Pinnacol Assurance                                    Denver, CO

    26. Jennings Center for Older Adults                Garfield Heights, OH

    27. John Deere                                                 Moline, IL

    28. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System      Greenville, SC

    29. Centegra Health System                              Crystal Lake, IL

    30. Virginia Commonwealth University             Richmond, VA

    31. Durham Regional Hospital                          Durham, NC

    32. Rush-Copley Medical Center                       Aurora, IL

    33. Monongalia General Hospital                       Morgantown, WV

    34. Saint Barnabas Health Care Organization    West Orange, NJ

    35. Express Personnel Services                        Oklahoma City, OK

    36. Ochsner Health System                               New Orleans, LA

    37. Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation     Huntsville, AL

    38. Hospice of Marion County & Affiliated Companies   Ocala, FL

    39. West Virginia University Hospitals                Morgantown, WV

    40. University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center   Houston, TX

    41. Scottsdale Healthcare                                 Scottsdale, AZ

    42. Vanguard                                                    Valley Forge, PA

    43. Fairfield Medical Center                              Lancaster, OH

    44. Michelin North America                              Greenville, SC

    45. St. John Health                                           Warren, MI

    46. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association            Chicago, IL

    47. Noblis, Inc. (formerly Mitretek Systems)      Falls Church, VA

    48. Frankford Candy & Chocolate Co.               Philadelphia, PA

    49. Centers for New Horizons                          Chicago, IL

    50. Girl Scouts of Nassau County                      Garden City, NY