Kelly Services Recognized As One of AARP's 2005 Best Employers for Mature Workers
31 Août 2005 - 7:10AM
PR Newswire (US)
- Only staffing firm represented TROY, Mich., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/
-- Steve Duke had worked in the claims department for a major
international insurance provider for 25 years when he took early
retirement in 2002. But feeling he still had something to offer
professionally, he decided to join Kelly Services as a temporary
employee working as a claims adjustor in both catastrophe and
non-catastrophe scenarios around the country on a part-time basis.
"I am able to pick and choose where I would like to go and for how
long I want to be away," said Duke, who resides in Florida. "The
pay is great and I'm placed in claims environments where I am
familiar with the computer software, systems and processes, all of
which enables me to be productive on the first day of arriving at a
new assignment." Duke's story and many like it, which reflect Kelly
Services' growing emphasis in placing mature workers in a variety
of employment scenarios, were recognized today when AARP named the
company one of its 2005 Best Employers. Kelly ranked 21st out of 50
companies cited in the 2005 awards and was the only staffing
company included in the ranking. "Mature workers are one of the
fastest-growing groups in temporary staffing and have become
increasingly attractive to employers because they bring significant
experience, expertise and maturity to their roles," said Carl
Camden, Kelly Services President and Chief Operating Officer (COO).
"In several areas - notably in professional and credentialed
employment arenas - the need for proven, highly productive,
well-educated mature workers is growing rapidly. These are
employees that can quickly have impact and add value, and
progressive organizations are fast embracing their potential."
According to Camden, Kelly now employs more than 60,000 mature
workers nationally - a figure that comprises over 10 percent of
their workforce. The prestigious AARP rankings, which come out on
an annual basis, are determined by a number of criteria measuring
and evaluating exemplary practices toward older workers. According
to AARP CEO Bill Novelli, "Too many employers still do not
recognize the advantages that older workers bring to the table. The
value of these employees will become increasingly apparent as the
workforce ages in the years ahead." According to Camden, an aging
workforce - and the related workforce shortage - is a global
problem that American corporations are taking note of because it is
already impacting performance and capability. "The working age
population in industrialized countries is expected to shrink seven
percent in the next 20 years, representing a reduction of 60
million workers, while the percentage of people in the world over
the age of 65 - currently about 15 percent - is expected to double
over the next 25 years," said Camden. "Having the best and
brightest people to do the job has always been a key competitive
differentiator, and when you look at the confluence of those two
demographic figures you begin to understand how critical it is that
mature workers continue to play a vital role in business." Mature
workers represent one part of the fastest-growing segment in
today's employment environment in the form of "free agents," now
making up more than 20 percent of the global workforce. These
individuals, in a variety of industries and fields, have found that
the flexibility, compensation and overall job satisfaction offered
through free-agency opportunities exceeds that of traditional
employment. For example, Joan Steelman is a registered nurse with
Kelly Healthcare Resources who loves her job and especially enjoys
doing quality assessments for organizations - but who doesn't want
to work in a traditional hospital setting at this stage of her
career. "I've found that I get the most enjoyment and professional
satisfaction from project-related work," said Steelman. "In my
current role, I'm able to pick and choose my assignments while also
staying close to my chosen profession. I don't want to go back to
working in a hospital and dealing with the headaches that come from
that environment, and working as I do now allows me the freedom to
do what I like, where I like, when I want to do it." The
recognition from AARP, said Camden, is both a source of great
corporate pride and validation that Kelly Services' focus on mature
workers is producing results for both the individuals seeking
employment and the end-user organizational customers reaping the
benefits of an experienced, proven workforce. "We're very pleased
to be prominently included in AARP's 2005 ranking of best employers
for mature workers and look forward to growing the visibility for
and appreciation of this important segment of the workforce," said
Camden. "Because of their backgrounds and expertise, mature workers
tend to be highly productive employees with a lot to contribute on
many levels. The companies singled out by AARP are best-practice
organizations who have embraced mature workers while getting a head
start on leveraging their collective strength." About Kelly
Services Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA; KELYB) is a Fortune
500 company headquartered in Troy, Mich., offering staffing
solutions that include temporary staffing services, staff leasing,
outsourcing, vendor on-site and full-time placement. Kelly owns and
operates nearly 2,600 offices in 29 countries and territories.
Kelly provides employment to more than 700,000 employees annually,
with skills including office services, accounting, engineering,
information technology, law, science, marketing, light industrial,
education, health care and home care. Revenue in 2004 was $4.98
billion. Visit http://www.kellyservices.com/. SOURCE Kelly
Services, Inc. CONTACT: Kim Gareau of Dix & Eaton, Inc.,
+1-216-241-4607, or ; or Renee Walker of Kelly Services, Inc.,
+1-248-244-4305, or ; for access to individual mature workers
throughout the country, contact Renee Walker Web site:
http://www.kellyservices.com/
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