Scripps Named One of Best Employers for Mature Workers

Scripps Health is one of America’s best employers for mature workers, according to AARP’s annual survey of “Best Employers for Workers over 50.” Scripps, which ranked third among the 35 companies listed, is the only California employer to be honored by AARP this year.

The fourth annual AARP’s “Best Employers for Workers over 50” award recognizes companies and organizations for their practices and policies that value the mature worker and demonstrate workplace innovation. Companies were evaluated for a wide range of workplace practices, including recruitment, continuing opportunities for advancement, flexible work schedules, and benefits for current and retired employees. The full list of honorees may be found at www.aarp.org/employerresourcecenter.

“Scripps Health is very proud of our staff who deliver extraordinary patient care and service every day. Mature workers are often leaders within the organization and contribute to our overall success through their experience, expertise and discipline,” said Scripps President and CEO Chris Van Gorder. “Being honored with this award from AARP is confirmation that we are on track with our efforts to be the employer of choice – for all workers.”

In earning the award, Scripps has been recognized for its flexible scheduling, including phased retirement and health benefits for those individuals considering retirement. In the area of professional development, Scripps provides a number of opportunities for career development and advancement at all levels and ages, including promotions, scholarships and tuition reimbursement. Scripps also places great value on its long-service employees by celebrating anniversaries, providing enhanced matches as part of its retirement savings plan and recognizing mature worker needs and family care issues. Of Scripps’ nearly 11,000 employees, 28 percent is age 50 or older.

AARP has found that recent projections point toward a continued jump in the percentage of mature workers in the economy. Fourteen percent of the workforce is aged 55 and older now; the percent is expected to reach 19 percent by 2012.

“The winning employers stand as exemplary models for others who have yet to plan for the graying of their workforce,” said Deborah Russell, who directs the Best Employers program for AARP. “The creative practices today’s winners have in place give others high standards to strive for.”

Scripps will be honored at AARP 2004’s award ceremony in New York on September 23, 2004.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people age 50 and older. AARP provides information and resources; engages in legislative, regulatory, and legal advocacy; assists members in serving their communities; and offers a wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. More information regarding AARP may be found at www.aarp.org.

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is celebrating 80 years as a not-for-profit, San Diego-based health care system. Scripps’ world of healing treats 525,000 patients annually through the dedication of more than 2,600 affiliated physicians and 10,500 employees spread across five acute care hospitals, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of clinics, physicians’ offices and outpatient centers. Recognized as a world leader in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, Scripps is in the forefront of prevention, medical innovation, clinical research and technology.

Recent accolades include: Best Hospital in San Diego, San Diego Union-Tribune Readers’ Poll, (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004); 100 Most Wired Health Systems, 2004, Hospitals & Health Networks; Best Local Large Employer, 2004, SHRM, San Diego.