Title:Nation's Largest Assisted Living Provider to Hire 1000 Veterans, Military Spouses
Date:February 2013
Source:Emeritus Senior Living
Volume:Volume 3 Issue 79
Seattle, Wash. - Feb. 4, 2013 - With the unemployment rate for veterans significantly higher than that for the overall population, the nation's largest assisted living and memory care provider plans to hire at least 1000 former members of the military and military spouses over the next five years. This endeavor by Emeritus Senior Living is the first such veteran recruiting program in America's senior living industry. It has been launched to honor and assist veterans seeking employment as well as pay tribute to the many retired military residing at Emeritus. Emeritus Senior Living, which operates over 470 senior living communities in 44 states, has a workforce of more than 28,000.
The January, 2013 jobless rate for all post-9/11 veterans was 11.7 percent. Seventeen percent of women who served abroad or at home during that period are unemployed. Military spouses are facing a 26-percent unemployment rate, even though over 80 percent of them would like to work.
"We wish to show our proud support of the military by offering veterans and military spouses a career with our company," said Granger Cobb, president and CEO of Emeritus Senior Living. "We hope this initiative will be of value to those who have served our country. We know that their talent and commitment will be tremendously beneficial to our residents and our entire organization."
Because the largest hurdle for veterans seeking civilian work is explaining the relevance of their military experience, Emeritus has identified company positions that correlate to a variety of those in the armed forces. For example, the work of a military chef is similar to that of an Emeritus dining services director. Other opportunities within Emeritus could include maintenance director, driver, resident care director, wellness nurse, medication technician, certified nursing assistant and a range of administrative positions.
The size and scope of Emeritus offer advantages to military spouses as well as veterans, Cobb said. "Unless their careers are portable, many spouses must quit their jobs to move when their husband or wife is transferred and they have to start their employment search all over again in a new city where they don't have any contacts," he said. "With more than 470 communities nationwide, we can offer military spouses transfers within the United States. This way, they not only remain employed, they keep building their careers with Emeritus."
Emeritus (emeritus.com/employment/military) has established, a website dedicated to veterans and military spouses seeking employment with the company. It includes general information on why Emeritus is a good fit for transitioning military and spouses along with testimonials from current Emeritus employee veterans.
Emeritus has also started a LinkedIn group to assist veterans and military spouses who are coming aboard the organization.
"This helps new Emeritus employees with the transition from the military into their first civilian job and assists with building relationships with other Emeritus employees with similar backgrounds," Cobb said.
The company hopes to evolve the initiative by establishing a program that connects employee veterans with resident veterans.
"We piloted this concept at one Emeritus Senior Living community and it was very well received," Cobb said. "We're certain it will prove to be a wonderful endeavor throughout our organization."
