September 1, 2009

Stanley Consultants Named 8th on AARP’s Best Employer List

MUSCATINE, IOWA - For the seventh year, Stanley Consultants has been recognized by AARP as a Best Employer for Workers Over 50. The company ranked eighth on this year's list of the 50 top firms from across the country. Headquartered in Muscatine, it was the only Iowa-based firm to capture a spot on the list. Stanley Consultants also has local offices in Iowa City and Des Moines. AARP’s annual recognition program acknowledges companies and organizations with policies that best address an aging workforce. In 2005, Stanley Consultants garnered the top spot on AARP’s list.

The Best Employers list recognizes companies for demonstrating exemplary practices in the recruitment, retention and promotion of mature workers. It also distinguishes companies that foster a workplace that supports the aging workforce and that encourages workers to remain active. More than 200 employers applied for Best Employers honors, the highest total in the nine year history of the program.

Stanley Consultants provides engineering, environmental and construction services worldwide. Experience is key in the engineering industry. "In our profession, expertise combined with experience is more critical in our service to clients than most other factors," said Dale Sweere, Stanley Consultants’ Director of Human Resources. "Our employees age 50 and over bring invaluable knowledge of our company and their areas of expertise to our client service - this gives us a competitive edge." Currently, 33 percent of Stanley Consultants employees are age 50 or older.

Phased retirement arrangements that enable employees to reduce work schedules before full retirement, a "time off bank" of donated vacation time which employees can use to care for family members, and a 401(k) plan that the company contributes to -- regardless of employee participation -- are just a few of the reasons why AARP named Stanley Consultants one of the Best Employers for Workers Over 50. "We have had a great ability to attract and retain exceptional people," according to Sweere. Many of the company’s employees have dedicated their entire career to the company.

To be considered for the AARP list, companies submit a comprehensive application that includes questions about their human resources practices and policies. Areas of consideration include recruiting practices, training, education and career development opportunities, and flexible work arrangements. Retiree and health benefits are also considered. With 40 million members, AARP is the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over in the United States.

Stanley Consultants, Inc., a Stanley Group Company, provides engineering, environmental, and construction services worldwide. Offices are located in Austin and Houston, Texas; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Boise, Idaho; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Des Moines, Muscatine and Iowa City, Iowa; Las Vegas, Nevada; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Naples, Sarasota and West Palm Beach, Florida; Phoenix, Arizona; Salt Lake City, Utah; St. Louis, Missouri; Washington, D.C.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as select international locations. Since 1913, The Stanley Group has successfully completed more than 23,000 engagements in all 50 states, U.S. territories, and in 98 countries.

AARP release

Link to AARP’s list

Details from AARP on why Stanley Consultants was selected