For Immediate Release: 6/2/2015 County Executive Leggett Presents Experience Counts Best Practices Awards; Three Montgomery County Employers Recognized as Age Friendly County Executive Isiah Leggett presented the second annual Experience Counts Best Practices Awards at this year’s 50+ Employment Expo to Social and Scientific Systems, Inc., Dynaxis LLC and the Beacon Newspaper, Inc. Sponsored by the Department of Economic Development, the Jewish Council for Aging and the Workforce Investment Board, the Experience Counts Awards program was established to identify and recognize innovative strategies Montgomery County employers use to create age-friendly workplaces. The three employers were recognized for a number of age-smart work-place strategies, such as: flexible/alternative work options including compressed schedules, job-sharing, part- time work and phased retirement options where employees who retire can return to work part- time to fill a position where there is a critical need or can be hired as contractors. Other strategies include elder care referrals, seminars and lectures that include intergenerational differences, and multiple training formats that accommodate learning styles of all workers. Older adults are becoming an increasingly important labor source. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate by 2020, one out of every four working individuals will be 55 and older. “It is fitting that we recognize the vital role of older workers in the workplace,” said Leggett. The benefits of hiring older workers are many. They bring maturity, dependability and years of experience to the workplace. The know-how and work ethic they bring often cascades throughout the entire organization. “By showcasing best practices of these three forward-thinking employers, we hope to set an example for others,” said Sally Sternbach, acting director of the Department of Economic Development. “Hiring and retaining older workers makes good business sense.” The Experience Counts Awards program is one of many initiatives of the Montgomery County Senior Agenda created by the Commission on Aging and approved by the County Executive and County Council in 2012. It highlights the County’s commitment to being a community for a lifetime, a place for older adults to live safe, healthy and vital lives. # # # Release ID: 15-216 Media Contact: Susan Prince 240-777-2048

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