Age-Smart Finalists Named News
Thirteen New York City businesses and nonprofits were recognized as finalists for the 2015 Age Smart Awards.
The award, in its second year, recognizes New York City businesses and nonprofit organizations that use policies and practices that help to hire, retain, and engage four generations of workers. The finalists include:
Large Businesses (100+ employees)
•Amy’s Breads—a bread and pastry bakery, featuring three retail cafes and distribution to over 250 wholesale customers daily throughout New York City
•Brooks Brothers, LIC Factory—the facility that manufactures the neckties and bowties—1.5 million ties a year—for this world-renown oldest clothing retailer in the U.S.
•CBRE—the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment company
•North Bronx Healthcare Network—serves the Bronx Community by providing high-quality healthcare, regardless of ability to pay, through the Jacobi Medical Center and North Central Bronx Hospital
•NYU Langone Medical Center—one of the nation’s premier academic medical centers, with a trifold mission to serve, teach and discover
•Sunnyside Community Services—a community-based organization in western Queens that provides a continuum of care to over 14,000 individuals of all ages annually
Small Businesses (less than 100 employees)
•ADSPACEink & Magicink Interactive—agencies providing a range of print, digital and cutting-edge design services as well as developing unique branding opportunities
•Ben’s Best Kosher Delicatessen—a restaurant and catering business in Rego Park, Queens
•Eneslow Pedorthic Enterprises—a footwear store specializing in readymade and custom-made footwear and related products to reduce foot pain and improve balance and gait
•Indiana Market & Catering—a high–end special events catering company
•Metro Optics Eyewear—an ophthalmic services company with four stores in the Bronx
•The Queens Tribune—a local newspaper for 44 years that also runs the South East Queens Press, an African-American focused publication
•VISION/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired—promotes independence of people of all ages who are blind through skill training, congregate programs and support for caregivers
“Workers of all ages are good for business and these finalists are proof positive that creating a work environment that values older workers pays off big time,” says Ruth Finkelstein, director of the Age Smart Employer Awards program and associate director of the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at the Mailman School of Public Health. “What this diverse set of employers have in common is a focus on creating a great place to work—for workers of all ages. They do this in different ways—through flexible work arrangements, training and cross-training, staff development and promotion from within or great benefits. ”
The 13 finalists were chosen from an original group of 52 applicants by a selection committee of nine experts in the field of employment and aging. The applicants submitted extensive applications addressing their respective approaches to engaging older workers. Each finalist is now participating in an employees’ survey about those practices. The selection committee will evaluate the employee surveys and after further deliberation will identify three to four winning organizations in the large and small business/nonprofit categories.
The winners of the 2015 Age Employer Awards will be announced at a ceremony on December 9, 2015.
For more information, go to http://www.agesmartemployer.org