West Virginia University has been selected the nation’s fifth best employer for workers aged 50 and more by the AARP in its 10th annual ranking. It is WVU’s first time in the ranking, announced Wednesday (Sept. 7) in Chicago.
“This is a wonderful designation,” said WVU President Jim Clements. “We work hard to provide a supportive environment for everyone and count on the experience, skill and wisdom that all of our employees have to help us run this highly complex and great University. This honor reflects that collaborative environment in such a positive way and gives all of us here at WVU another reason to be proud to be part of the Mountaineer family.”
“West Virginia University consistently recognizes the value of older workers and the important impact they have upon the university community,” said Gaylene Miller, AARP West Virginia state director.
“As a national leader, West Virginia University sets a high standard through its implementation of progressive practices that meet the needs of mature workers and benefit the university’s continued growth and success. WVU’s top-five national ranking among the nation’s Best Employers for Workers Over 50 is a mark of distinction for the Mountain State.”
Like any good employer, WVU has enjoyed a long-term relationship with many of its employees: 45 percent of WVU’s employees are over age 50 and those employees have an average tenure of 19 years.
WVU has created a workplace conducive for mature employees, offering a variety of benefits and opportunities, including flexible work schedules, phased retirement, tuition reimbursement, and reduced or free tuition for those 65 and older.
“This designation will help us attract more experienced employees to the University which aligns with our values and commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Margaret Phillips, WVU’s vice president for human resources. According to Phillips, WVU has been implementing a variety of innovative human resources programs and services in the past several years aimed at assisting employees with important life cycle events ranging from child care to retirement planning to re-employment on a part time basis following retirement.
The Benefits Unit has sponsored three comprehensive retirement planning conferences for employees of all ages, but especially focusing on the financial, emotional and physical realties of retirement. Approximately 1,000 employees and their guests have participated in these conferences.
WVU employees are encouraged to further their education and professional development by taking advantage of the Tuition Assistance Program which provides reimbursement for undergraduate coursework or enrolling in free seminars and workshops offered by the Training and Development Unit. Graduate tuition waivers are also available for full time faculty and staff pursuing advanced degrees.
The Employment Services Unit has developed a special re-employment program called Senior Mountaineer Temps. The program is designed to encourage retired faculty and staff to re-engage with the University through part-time temporary employment. This program enables the University to benefit from the wisdom, experience, and expertise of its retirees while providing the retiree with the opportunity to learn new skills and remain active.
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, a component of WVU’s Center on Aging, is open to employees and retirees age 50 or older. For a small fee, members can enroll in programs that are particularly relevant to the needs of mature workers. The goal is to provide intellectually stimulating classes and discussions with peers along with an opportunity for social and recreational activities, such as field trips to environmental and historic sites and for appreciation and study of the arts. Classes are taught by retired WVU faculty.
WV state residents age 65 and older may attend WVU classes at a reduced rate on a space-available basis. The program includes an option for those who attend undergraduate and graduate courses on a no-credit and for-credit basis.
A short summary of WVU’s winning strategy is available at http://www.aarp.org/work/on-the-job/info-09-2011/west-virginia-university-aarp-best-employers.html .
WVU along with other award recipients, including WVU Hospitals (44th), will be honored at an awards ceremony in Chicago on Sept. 13 and featured in the November-December issue of AARP The Magazine. In connection with the event, AARP will convene a working conference of employers the next day to identify challenges – and solutions – associated with the aging of the workforce.
WVU is becoming known as a great work place for employees of all ages.
It has been named a “Military Friendly School” for three straight years by GIJobs magazine, and The Scientist recently ranked WVU No. 20 among its Best Places to Work in Academia, 2011, profiling the institution on its website: http://the-scientist.com/2011/07/01/best-places-to-work-academia-2011/.
Also, Morgantown was ranked No. 2 on Forbes’ list for “Best College Towns for Jobs” and the Wall Street Journal featured Morgantown as a college town ripe with job opportunities, particularly at WVU.
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