Lee Memorial Health System is in the top ten of a nationwide list of best employers for older workers released Wednesday. It’s number 10 on the American Association of Retired Persons’ list of Best Employers for Employees over 50. The AARP list recognizes employers who demonstrate outstanding policies and practices for recruiting, engaging, and retaining older workers. Doug Heinlen is a volunteer spokesman for AARP from Sarasota. He says Lee Memorial Hospital ranks high for its groundbreaking employment strategies:

“They seem to have been very innovative in recruiting and handling older workers in several areas from what I know. They use some senior placement agencies that actually seek out and recruit older workers, and they seem to have created a culture there that respects older workers and kind of enhances their value really.”

Lee Memorial won a place among the top ten for its willingness to provide older workers with flexible schedules, tuition assistance, six months off with benefits for winter residents, and phased retirement. One other employer was selected for the list from Florida – Brevard Public Schools.