Champions of Shifting Workplace Demographics: This Year's "Top Employers for Canadians Over 40" Announced

TORONTO, April 9, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian employers are responding to the changing demographics of the workplace by improving the benefits offered to older workers.  The winners of an annual competition that rates Canadian employers on these programs were announced this morning.

"This year's winners represent some of the best employers in their fields," says Richard Yerema, Managing Editor of the Canada's Top 100 Employers project at Mediacorp Canada Inc.  "They offer employees, and prospective employees, the type benefits many are seeking as they decide where best to apply their skills and experience in progressing through their careers."

Editors used eight criteria to evaluate winning employers, in terms of whether they: (1) offer interesting programs to assist older workers; (2) actively recruit new workers 40 years and older; (3) take into account the unique concerns of older workers in HR policies, such as recognizing prior work experience in determining vacation; (4) offer a pension plan with reasonable employer contributions; (5) assist older employees with retirement and succession planning; (6) create opportunities for retirees to stay socially connected through organized social activities and volunteering; (7) extend health coverage and similar benefits after retirement; and (8) offer programs, such as mentorship and phased-in retirement, to ease the emotional challenge of retirement and ensure skills are transferred to the next generation.

"The winning employers recognize that they can attract and develop younger employees by offering benefits that look after employees' needs in the second half of their careers," says Kristina Leung, Editor at Mediacorp Canada Inc.  "It's like being a good parent, where you instill in younger family members the need to treat older generations with respect and dignity - they realize pretty quickly it's also how they will be treated someday."

This year's winning employers were announced online in The Globe and Mail this morning. The full list of winners, including detailed reasons for selection, can be found on the competition homepage: http://www.CanadasTop100.com/over40

SOURCE: Mediacorp Canada Inc.

Karen Le, Vice-President
Mediacorp Canada Inc.  416-964-6069 x1460