State government allows Kathy Foell to work a four-day week as director of the heart and stroke program, giving her extra time with her granddaughter, Sarah. The executive branch of Massachusetts government won an AARP best employer award for its progressive attitude toward employees over 50. Photo by Kevin Bruise

Summary:
• Almost a third of Massachusetts workers are over 50.
• Best employers recognize the value of older workers.
• For first time, executive branch of state government wins AARP award.

Kathy Foell was working five days a week when her 92-year-old mother moved in with her.

Foell had to take her mother to medical appointments, and she also wanted to spend time with her. So Foell approached her boss at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Could she work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday instead of a traditional five-day week? The answer was yes.

Foell credits her compressed workweek—and the enlightened, family-friendly attitude of state government leaders—for her guilt-free time with her mother, who died last year at age 100. Mondays off are now reserved for babysitting her infant granddaughter, Sarah. Said Foell, 62, who is director of the state’s heart disease and stroke program: “This arrangement has extended my work life and definitely reduced my stress level. The state respects the fact that I have a life outside of work.”

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Branch has won one of AARP’s 2009 Best Employers for Workers Over 50 awards, the first time it has gone to a state government executive branch. Its progressive initiatives, which include flextime, job sharing, telecommuting and up to 52 weeks of family medical leave, are appealing to its nearly 45,000 workers—especially to the 43 percent of executive branch employees over 50.

Statewide, 31 percent of the workforce is over 50. Another 7 percent will reach that milestone in the next three years.

“Fifty-and-older workers have the potential to transform the workplace the same way women did in the last 30 to 40 years,” said Deborah Banda, AARP Massachusetts senior state director. “Mature workers are pushing for these flexible arrangements, but they will benefit workers of all ages.”

Flexible work arrangements are humane and they’re a smart business move.

“These options enhance productivity,” said Paul Dietl, the state’s chief human resources officer. “We’ve found we get higher levels of engagement, job satisfaction and loyalty.”

Dietl practices what he preaches. On his own staff, one employee works from home one day every week, and another employee has gone from full-time to part-time and telecommutes.

“They’ve given me more than the hours for which they are scheduled,” Dietl said. “Without a doubt, it’s a win-win.”

The median age of the Massachusetts workforce is 42, according to the Center on Aging & Work at Boston College, which tracks employment trends. Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, center director, said a productive and happy workforce is an important ingredient in economic development. “I think Massachusetts is one of the states that has demonstrated the importance of aging in the workplace,” she said.

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