New York: Mature Worker Task Force Issues First Report

New York's first annual Mature Worker Task Force Report to the Governor and the Legislature has been released. The report reflects the Task Force's background research, draft of overarching goals and objectives to frame the work of the Task Force, and identificattion of potential actions to explore with the full Task Force in the upcoming years. This preparatory work will be used as a starting place for the work of the full Mature Worker Task Force, which is scheduled to begin in the fall 2008 when full Task Force membership is anticipated to be in place.

The report identifies the Task Force's overarching purpose: "To improve economic development and the economic security of older adults through opportunities that recognize the value of mature workers and also seek to retain, retrain and offer second careers that will fill anticipated areas where there will be a labor deficit."

With respect to goals, the Task Force will address workforce shortage and workplace flexibility issues, expand employment opportunities for mature workers, and address age discrimination in the workplace. The four primary have been identified as (1) identify best practices for hiring, retaining, and retraining mature workers; (2) identify and address statutory and regulatory provisions limiting opportunities for mature workers; (3) serve as a clearinghouse for information for businesses seeking to hire mature workers and for mature workers seeking employment; and (4) assess effectiveness and cost of mature worker-related programs New York State has implemented.

Source: Mature Worker Task Force Report (July 29, 2008)

Governors Association Encouraging States To Engage Seniors in Volunteering and Employment

New York has been selected by the National Governor's Association as one of six states to participate in a Policy Academy sponsored by the Association that will address issues related to engaging the elderly in volunteering and employment opportunities in the future. According to the Center for Best Practices of the National Governors Association, the goal of the initiative is to improve the health and lives of older Americans by substantially increasing the proportion of seniors who participate in employment, education and training, or meaningful volunteer activities. Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania are the other states being awarded grants.

The goals of the team appointed by New York Governor Patterson are to:

• Develop a strategic plan to increase employment and volunteer opportunities for older adults.
• Ensure that older adults can age with dignity and respect in their communities with volunteer support from their peers.
• Create a unified communication strategy and educational campaign to promote civic engagement among older New Yorkers and highlight the benefits and contributions they can make in the work force and voluntary endeavors.

Sources: New York State Office for the Aging Press Release; Watertown Daily Times "Grant to help older workers find volunteer and paid jobs" (July 21, 2008)

Civic Ventures Report Highlights State Initiatives on Capturing Boomer Energy

A report issued by Civic Ventures shows that leaders of several state governments are taking the initiative to develop policies and programs that make the best use of boomer experience. The report--"Building an Experience Dividend: State Governments Lead Call to Engage Boomers"--focuses on developments in five states:

• Arizona and its Mature Workforce Initiative to develop policy recommendations and launch new programs, such as a certification program given to businesses deemed "mature-worker friendly."
• California, whose eServices offices focus on matching boomers’ desire to serve with specific labor shortages, such as the demand for math and science teachers and qualified managers in the public sector.
• Maryland, which enacted a Baby Boomer Initiative Act in 2007, creating the Boomer Initiative Council, which is tasked with developing a strategy to keep boomers engaged in their communities through work and volunteer opportunities.
• Massachusetts, whose governor has called for the creation of a Commonwealth Corps to give residents new opportunities to make significant commitments to service and in which legislation
  is being advanced that would create a Mature Worker Council.
• New York, where a package of eight bills has been introduced that are hoped will jumpstart the state’s efforts to prepare for an aging workforce.

In addition, eight states are participating with the National Governors Association and Civic Ventures in a year-long program to find ways to tap skills of older workers.

Source: Civic Ventures News Release (February 7, 2008)

Additional Source: USA Today "No time to relax: States want new retirees' experience" (February 22, 2008)

Survey: AARP Explores Employer Readiness for Boomer Retirements in New York

According to an AARP survey conducted in late 2006, New York businesses understand the value of the knowledge and experience employees gain while working for an organization, particularly over long periods of time. Furthermore, most place a high level of importance on retaining departing employees’ wisdom and recommendations—however less than a third have an organizational process in place to preserve such institutional knowledge.

The survey--Preparing for an Aging Workforce: A Focus on New York Businesses--written by Katherine Bridges and David Cicero finds that, among other things, while 62% of employers believe their business is likely to face a shortage of qualified workers within the next five years, only 23% have taken steps to prepare for potential worker shortages due to baby boomer retirements. In addition:

• 11% say they are offering incentives to encourage their employees to delay retirement
• 72% say it is extremely or very important to retain institutional knowledge that might be lost when employees retire or otherwise leave (although only 34% have a formal process in place enabling employees to pass on their knowledge and experience before they leave
  
• 39% offer reduced work schedules for those considering retirement, mostly on an informal, case-by-case basis, but only 6% of those offering this option have a formal phased-retirement program

Source: AARP Research Report (May 2007)

New York: Legislature Considers Establishing Mature Worker Taskforce

The New York State state legislature is to consider establishing a mature worker taskforce among other programs aimed at confronting the state's radidly aging population. The goal of the taskforce woudl be to help guide policy to make workplaces friendlier for seniors.

The legislation to establish the Mature Worker Task Force (A5565 in the Assembly, and S3058 in the Senate) would create a 19-member task force in the State Office for the Aging to identify and address legal provisions that may limit opportunities for mature workers; identify best practices in the private sector for hiring, retaining and retraining mature workers; serve as a clearinghouse for such information; and assess the effectiveness and cost of programs that the state has implemented to hire, retain and retrain mature workers.

A separate bill introduceed in the State Assembly, A05566 (and the parallel Senate bill S03060) would establishe "a mature worker employment and training program to help workers ages 55 and older be prepared for continuing their employment after their retirement, or being trained or retrained for second careers or other work opportunities."

Source: Legislative Gazette "Budget includes major reforms for elder care" (April 16, 2007)

New York Employers Not Rushing To Hire Older Workers

Joy Davia, writing for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle, reports that while New York area businesses will be losing workers full of experience and institutional knowledge, but won't have nearly enough Generation X-ers and Y-ers to replace them, "[m]ost businesses are aware of the problem but are not preparing for such a scenario, according to a recent upstate New York study by the AARP. They're not actively trying to attract and keep older workers or getting experienced workers to mentor younger cohorts, among other moves."

It might be hard for businesses to take a potential worker shortage seriously, especially if they're not already having trouble finding skilled employees. In fact, massive downsizings by local companies have left an abundance of people searching for jobs. "Change happens so rapidly," said Matthew Hurlbutt, executive director of RochesterWorks. "It might be hard for a business to look at an issue in 2010 and say they should start preparing for this now."

Davia writes that two of the most important things for employers to consider are making jobs attractive for older workers and capturing their knowledge. For example, the YMCA of Greater Rochester offers flexible hours — maybe part time or job-sharing — and benefits, including a new initiative that offers part timers health insurance. And, on the other side, Strong Memorial Hospital has a new mentoring program designed to get more nurses into one of its toughest fields; mentoring, according to Davia is hailed by experts as a great way to prepare for the upcoming swell of boomer retirements.

Source: "Older workers hold key to easing staffing woes" Rochester Democrat & Chronicle (January 29, 2006)