Schneider National announced Wednesday, Aug. 22, that it has been certified as an Age Friendly Employer by RetirementJobs.com, the No. 1 career website for job-seekers aged 50-plus. U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) visited Schneider National’s headquarters in Green Bay, Wis., on Aug. 10 to present the certification in a ceremony lauding the company for its proven success in hiring and retaining mature workers.
As chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Kohl is an active public advocate on behalf of the mature work force. “We need a 21st-century workplace that is a win-win for both older workers and their employers,” Kohl said. “Companies like RetirementJobs.com and Schneider National are stepping up to fill this void by helping older workers.”
Currently, more than 26 percent of Schneider National’s worldwide work force is 50 and older. The company’s focused effort on hiring mature workers includes affiliations with organizations like AARP, the National Council on Aging and now RetirementJobs.com.
“RetirementJobs.com is happy to identify Schneider National as a trailblazer that positively stands out among other U.S. employers,” said Tim Driver, chief executive officer of RetirementJobs.com. “The company has proven its commitment to a work environment respectful of the needs of older workers.”
Truck driving has been a successful match for many 50-plus workers; in 2006, Schneider hired 2,000 mature workers, a majority of them truck drivers. That represents a 46 percent increase over the previous year.
“Schneider National has a longstanding commitment to hiring mature workers and has become a great second career choice for thousands,” said Tim Fliss, executive vice president of human resources. “We are proud to be recognized as an ‘Age Friendly Employer’ by RetirementJobs.com, and to share this recognition with our driver, maintenance, warehouse and office associates.”
According to Fliss, Schneider National’s company-provided driver-training program and flexible scheduling, which provides extended periods of time at home, have been particularly attractive to this age group. “Our 401(k) program has also been well received and allows mature workers to quickly grow their retirement funds for the next chapter of their lives,” he said.
Other national employers who’ve earned RetirementJobs.com Age Friendly Employer Certification include H&R Block, Manpower Inc., Marriott, REI, Robert Half International, Safeway and Staples.
