RetirementJobs.com(R) Announces National Launch of Age-Friendly Employer(TM) Certification Program: Top career website for age 50+ workers evaluates and encourages workplaces to retain and recruit experienced employees.

At the SHRM Staffing Management Conference, RetirementJobs.com, the leading provider of career services to people over age 50, today announced the national launch of the RetirementJobs.com Age Friendly Employer Certification(TM) Program. RetirementJobs.com's Certification Program is a unique initiative to identify and expand the number of employers that maintain policies, practices and programs consistent with employment of people age 50 and older based solely on their proficiency, qualifications and contribution, and on terms and conditions comparable to younger individuals. Further, Certification indicates an employer's recognition of the value of age 50+ workers, as well as its commitment to take affirmative action in providing meaningful employment, development opportunities, and competitive pay and benefits.

BOSTON & NEW ORLEANS (BusinessWire EON) April 25, 2007 -- At the SHRM Staffing Management Conference, RetirementJobs.com, the leading provider of career services to people over age 50, today announced the national launch of the RetirementJobs.com Age Friendly Employer Certification™ Program. RetirementJobs.com’s Certification Program is a unique initiative to identify and expand the number of employers that maintain policies, practices and programs consistent with employment of people age 50 and older based solely on their proficiency, qualifications and contribution, and on terms and conditions comparable to younger individuals. Further, Certification indicates an employer’s recognition of the value of age 50+ workers, as well as its commitment to take affirmative action in providing meaningful employment, development opportunities, and competitive pay and benefits.

The RetirementJobs.com Certification Program streamlines the process of connecting older employees with employers who'll value their experience, addressing the needs of both parties simultaneously

Examples of employers who’ve earned RetirementJobs.com Age Friendly Employer Certification include national brands like H&R Block, Marriott, Staples and REI; as well as regional employers: Massachusetts General Hospital, San Francisco’ Specialty Café and Bakery, and ARC of Hunterdon County (a New Jersey facility serving people with developmental disabilities).

“We are honored that RetirementJobs.com designated our company as a Certified Age Friendly Employer™,” said Andrea Smith, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) a $4.1 billion retailer of books, music, and movies. “Borders truly values the diversity of our employees, customers and vendors because it results in our ongoing success. By hiring mature workers, we not only create a workforce that mirrors our customer base, but we also are able to hire talented, loyal and reliable employees who can positively impact the customer experience and our results.”

“The RetirementJobs.com Certification Program streamlines the process of connecting older employees with employers who’ll value their experience, addressing the needs of both parties simultaneously” says Robert Skladany, VP of Research and Certification, RetirementJobs.com.

“Our certification program essentially fuses the principles of Consumer Reports with a job board: a codification to label any and all employers that can prove themselves as age-friendly.”

For more on the Age Friendly Employer Certification Program (including a full-length announcement), or to learn whether your company is age friendly--send an e-mail to certify@retirementjobs.com or visit www.retirementjobs.com

RetirementJobs.com is a registered trademark; Age Friendly Employer, Certified Age Friendly Employer, Age Friendly Employer Certification are trademarks of RetirementJobs.com, Inc. All other trademarks or service marks are property of their respective owners.