Yale New Haven Hospital earns place on AARP's Best Employers for Workers Over 50

6/17/2013 — Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) is being honored by AARP and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as one of the 2013 Best Employers for Workers over 50. YNHH joins a diverse group of health systems, corporations, government agencies and non-profits on the list, announced today by AARP and SHRM.

Key areas of consideration included: 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 retirement benefits, and retiree work opportunities.

"We are honored to be recognized as a best employer in this important category," said Richard D'Aquila, president and chief operating officer, YNHH. "Nearly one third of our workforce is age 50 or above. The experience, knowledge and stability they bring to our organization is invaluable and integral to the success of our hospital."

"AARP improves opportunities for older workers by spotlighting employers that have implemented programs that help retain, retrain, engage and recruit mature workers," said AARP Connecticut state director, Nora Duncan. "Yale New Haven Hospital knows that recruiting and retaining 50-plus workers is smart business."

Nearly 30 percent of YNHH employees are age 50+ with an average tenure of 18 years. YNHH offers a number of programs and benefits that support mature workers, including tuition reimbursement and training opportunities, flexible work schedules and alternative work arrangements, free health screenings and wellness programs, financial and retirement planning and dependent care benefits.

One program of particular interest to mature employees at YNHH is the School at Work program. This seven-month refresher educational program is ideal for employees who have been out of a traditional learning setting for a significant time period, and prepares them for additional formal education or a career change. Another popular benefit of special interest is retiree medical accounts, offered to employees retiring at age 55+ with at least 10 years of service. The medical accounts are funded annually, starting at age 40, and the retiree can use the funds after retirement for medical expenses and insurance premiums.

Yale New Haven was previously recognized by AARP as a Best Employer for Workers over 50 in 2005 and 2006.

Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH), part of Yale New Haven Health, is a nationally recognized, 1,541-bed, not-for-profit hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Yale School of Medicine (YSM). Founded as the fourth voluntary hospital in the U.S. in 1826, today, YNHH has two New Haven-based campuses, and also includes Yale New Haven Children's Hospital, Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Smilow Cancer Hospital. YNHH has received Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation’s highest honor of nursing excellence. YNHH has a combined medical staff of about 4,500 university and community physicians practicing in more than 100 specialties. www.ynhh.org