New York Issue | June 2024

Volume 9, Issue 2

Creating a Supportive Workplace for Aging Employees

In today’s evolving workforce, employers are seeing more and more the value of hiring older workers. The participation rate of workers aged 55 and older has steadily increased over the past two decades and is forecasted to continue to rise through 2030. As employers embrace the benefits of a diverse workforce, it’s important for them to consider the unique health and wellness needs of older adults. Understanding these needs can help foster a more inclusive environment and enhance overall productivity and job satisfaction. 

As individuals age, their health and wellness needs evolve. Employers play a pivotal role in creating a workplace culture that supports the well-being of all employees, especially older adults. This includes offering flexible work arrangements that accommodate various needs, providing continuous learning and development opportunities and remaining engaged in their career. 

Supporting mental health is another area that employers can support. Employers can encourage time off, provide access to resources like counseling and keep up to date on anti-discrimination laws to protect older workers’ rights. Facilitating community and connection within the workplace is also important. Activities like team building, social gatherings, peer groups, committees and mentoring programs promote and strengthen interpersonal relationships among employees and can help older workers assimilate and feel included in the culture. 

Similarly, older workers can take proactive steps to achieve a healthy work-life balance. Setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, establishing structured routines, prioritizing self-care, and seeking support when necessary are crucial for sustaining well-being throughout one’s career.

As a significant part of the workforce continues to age, it’s important for both employers and employees to adapt to the changing landscape. Embracing age diversity and addressing the needs of older workers is key to building a strong company culture. 

Source: AARP, SHRM, CDC

Why Older Adults are Staying in the Workforce

According to a Pew Research Center report, 62% of individuals 65 and older are still working full-time, compared to just 47% in 1987. Yahoo Finance's Kerry Hannon joins Wealth! to provide insight into why older adults are still clocking in, and how their presence may benefit companies.

Empowering Success: The Grant Performance Management System Team's Impact on MaturityWorks

MaturityWorks is excited to share an update on the work of the Grantee Performance Management System (GPMS) Team. Comprising of a program manager and two performance data specialists, the team supports 12 career counselors across 4 states. The team is responsible for entering participants data into The US Department of Labors management system and maintaining electronic participant files. 

Thanks to the GPMS team's efforts, career counselors are no longer bogged down by paperwork and can redirect their efforts towards expanding participant outreach and nurturing relationships with Host Agencies. Since the implementation of the GPMS Team's strategies, MaturityWorks has achieved remarkable milestones. Enrollment figures have surged, with 215 new participants joining the program—an impressive 8% increase. Moreover, the team has successfully onboarded over 15 new Host Agency partners, broadening the program's community impact. The GPMS Team exemplifies how strategic data management and dedicated support can transform operational efficiencies and drive substantial growth.

Participant Spotlight

After being laid off from his desk job, Jeff Poindexter wanted a change from office work. Jeff knew he needed assistance with updating his resume and gaining new skills, so he went to the local unemployment office. There he met Teresa San Roman, a career counselor for MaturityWorks. He learned about the program and immediately enrolled in the program.  

Through MaturityWorks, Jeff gained computer skills at SUNY Attain Lab and culinary experience at Community Health Action of Staten Island. During the pandemic, he prepared meals for distribution and photographed the dishes he created to develop a portfolio of his culinary work.  

To diversify his training, Jeff moved to the kitchen at the Salvation Army where he further honed his cooking skills. He continued to look for permanent work and updated his cover letter and resume. He applied, interviewed, and landed a job with the New York City Board of Education and is now a proud cook at PS24 on Staten Island working full time. Jeff is grateful for the second career opportunity the program provided. “MaturityWorks came along at the opportune time with support and training, I am so thankful”.  

Host Agency Spotlight

Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council Inc. is a nonprofit committed to community development, programs, and social support for families residing in the South and Mid-Bronx. Founded in 1974 by a diverse group of activists, parents, and social workers, they were inspired to provide direct services to the most disadvantaged including the elderly and disabled. Through social support programs like senior centers, housing, transportation assistance, home delivered meals, family community and economic development, workforce development, community resources, senior care and wellness today they serve over 1,400 low-income seniors.  

Mid-Bronx Citizens Council has partnered with MaturityWorks since 2017. They have hosted trainees in positions such as clerical assistants and kitchen aids. Clerical assistants hone their administrative skills, managing paperwork, scheduling appointments and handling correspondence with professionalism. Kitchen aids learn the fundamentals of food preparation, sanitation standards and teamwork. They assist the chef with meal planning, ingredient preparation and kitchen maintenance. Recently, they hired a trainee as a full-time cook. Through hands on training and mentorship, this trainee refined his culinary skills and mastered techniques that helped him succeed in the kitchen. The partnership between Mid-Bronx Citizen Counsil and MaturityWorks is an example of how collaboration can transform lives and uplift communities.