Brooks Brothers LIC Factory. Source: Age Smart Employer Awards
Dec. 11, 2015 Staff Report
Finding a job isn’t always easy for the elderly, but two Long Island City employers have been recognized for their senior-friendly work environment.
The Brooks Brother LIC Factory and Long Island City-based Amy’s Bread are two of the six New York City businesses to win the Age Smart Employer Awards. They were selected from 52 applicants for polices and practices that encourage different generations to work productively and effectively side by side.
The awards are led by the Columbia Aging Center and the New York Academy of Medicine.
In New York City, the workforce includes almost 700,000 adults ages 55 and older, or 18 percent of the total workforce, according to the award announcement.
“Being age smart means more productivity, reduced recruiting and training costs and ultimately a further commitment to quality for our customers,” Luis Nava, Director of Operations of the LIC Brooks Brothers factory, said.
The median employee age at the Brooks Brothers factory, which is located at 39-25 Skillman Avenue, is 54. Management at the Center, which manufactures 1.5 million ties a year, consults with older employees on equipment and process design. They restructure assignments and offer flexibility, which is unusual in factory settings.
“We are pleased and honored to win the Age Smart Employer Award,” said Amy Scherber, owner of Amy’s Bread, who added that many of her staff have stayed on at the firm over the years as it has grown. Scherber moved the baking facility to 34th Street and 48th Avenue from Chelsea Market in 2012.
“Older workers are a growing resource and businesses are looking for ways to capitalize on their energy and talent. These Age Smart Employers are ahead of the curve in recognizing their skills and experience,” said Ruth Finkelstein, presenting the awards as Director of the Age Smart Employer Awards program and Associate Director of CAC.
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2 Comments
And the countdown until a developer swoops in and destroys all business in 4…3…2…1
I worked above Amy’s Bread in Chelsea Market. That place is fantastic! Since they apparently are based in LIC, they should open a new location here. I think it would do well.