|
(ATLANTA – May 21, 2013) Outstanding employees age 60+ and their employers from across metro Atlanta were honored during the annual Metropolitan Atlanta Experience Awards luncheon. The annual event calls attention to the more than 400,000 older adults in the region, 40 percent of whom are still active in the work place. |
|
The top award – Employee of the Year – was awarded to Judy Woods, of WellStar Health System. Ms. Woods has been a WellStar employee for 11 years and currently holds the position of staff nurse for the Clinical Decision Unit. Previously, as cardiac charge nurse, Ms. Woods inspired her staff to improve not only in their professions but in their personal lives as well. Her staff talks fondly of Ms. Woods’ ability to teach while exhibiting extreme patience, how she shared stories of the changing profession and recommended ways to stay up-to-date on new medical procedures and information as she did herself. Her commitment to her workers carried over to her personal life as she regularly held the hands of co-workers as they themselves faced sickness and life’s challenges. Ms. Woods’ staff were often heard telling their “Work Mother,” “I want to be like you when I grow up!” |
|
Manheim was named Employer of the Year for its commitment to harnessing the talent of its experienced employees. The company has been feted nationally and named among AARP's Best |
|
Employers for Workers Over 50 with 53 percent of its workers over 50 and 43 percent of employees hired in 2008 over 50! Responding to employees requests, they have built a robust menu of benefits and supports for all employees, while recognizing the unique value of their experienced employees. Extra employee supports include caregiver referrals, job rotations, one-on-one assistance with retirement plan estimates, ongoing retraining and cross training. The company also dedicates staff to work with retirees, recruiting from a pool of retirees for temporary assignments, consulting work and full and part-time positions. Manheim fully demonstrates how to harness the experience of its tenured employees and respect is embedded in its core values. |
|
Five other individuals were recognized with Distinguished Service Awards for their outstanding achievement as experienced workers: Adieu Njie, the Westin Buckhead Atlanta; Ernest Melton, Gwinnett Braves; Nancy Straughan, WellStar Health System; Diane Kale, The Kroger Co.; and Zahra Safdari, Publix Super Markets. |
|
The Atlanta Regional Commission coordinated the awards event at Maggiano’s in cooperation with senior employment partners in the region including AARP–Foundation–Work Search; Your Tools for Living, a division of Jewish Family & Career Services; and Experience Works. |
|
More About Older Adults in Metro Atlanta |
|
The number of older adults in the region has grown over the last decade at a rate higher than the general population, outpacing it in six of the 10 counties in the region. By 2030, one in five people in metro Atlanta will be 60+. Employment of workers 65+ increased by more than 100 percent between 1977 and 2007, compared to 59 percent for total employment (16 and over.) |
|
### |