We sometimes assume that larger employers have the advantage – in resources, incentive and
leverage – over smaller employers in becoming age-inclusive. But there are many examples of
smaller organizations taking the lead in successfully adopting practices that position them to
benefit from the value of experience.
One such example is The Club at Ibis, which has a longstanding commitment to mature
workers. As an award-winning, 2000-acre private country club with over 1850 residences (the
second-largest private community in South Florida), Ibis has long recognized that mature
workers are good for business.
According to Michelle Moran, Director of Human Resources at Ibis, “People over 50 tend to stay
longer in their positions and seek stability rather than rapid advancement. This leads to lower
turnover rates and more consistent service to club members. And employees with long tenure
help preserve the institutional knowledge of Ibis.”
There’s another reason Ibis places a high value on age-inclusion. Mature workers offer strong
interpersonal skills, increased patience, and emotional intelligence. Because of this, Ibis club
members find the staff more relatable and form special connections. And that leads to more
personalized service experiences, satisfying a key goal at Ibis.
Age-Inclusive Employment Practices
To achieve this kind of advantage, Ibis has adopted a range of employment policies and
practices that ensures an age-inclusive workforce.
They are intentional in recruiting and retaining mature workers. Ibis includes age-diverse
materials within job postings and social media posts that encourage older workers to apply for
open positions. They train hiring managers to avoid ageist assumptions and ensure that
interview panels are age diverse. They also partner with local organizations that excel in
working with older adults.
Ibis is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices, and have qualified
as a Certified Age-Friendly Employer. They are dedicated to supporting employees aged 50-
plus by providing meaningful employment, development opportunities, competitive pay and
benefits, and valuing knowledge, maturity, reliability, and productivity (see the Ibis diversity
statement below).
Ibis prioritizes Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equality. We value integrity and openness in our
actions and words. We desire to foster an environment where all members, residents, and
employees feel a true sense of Belonging and are empowered to be their full, authentic selves.
We believe that diversity leads to innovation and strategic advantage. We strive to develop a
community-wide pride that transcends our differences and unites us in a Shared Vision of The
Ibis Experience™.
Ibis supports an intergenerational workforce and encourages all to participate in committees and
employee resource groups. The Club at Ibis values work-life balance and offers flexible, part-
time and on-call employment opportunities, which are especially attractive options for mature
workers. At Ibis, the oldest employee is in their early 80s, and the youngest is 17. They believe
that each age group brings a unique perspective that enriches operations and service to club
members.
Ibis provides informal or formal mentoring opportunities across all age groups and utilizes
retired alumni as mentors for future leaders.
They design or redesign work duties and workspaces to match workers’ changing capabilities.
They also offer annual education opportunities for mature workers, such as financial planning,
wellness, and Medicare Information sessions.
Mature Workers Are Part if a Winning Formula
Because of this commitment, The Club at Ibis was the winner of Encore Palm Beach County’s
inaugural “Wisdom and Experience Works for Business” Award in October 2021 in the Small
Employer Category. It has also resulted in many industry awards, including Platinum Clubs of
America, Distinguished Club Award with “Elite” designation for the past 11 years, Healthiest
Clubs in America, and Best of Palm Beach County.
Mature workers currently make up 25% of Ibis’s 550-employee workforce. For many, their
employment at Ibis is their second or third act in a long and successful career, and they are
valued for their years of experience and job skills.
An employee engagement survey completed in May 2025 showed that 95% of mature workers
were proud to work at Ibis, and the same percentage would recommend Ibis as a good
employer to others. 100% answered that Ibis values workforce diversity. These results include
newly employed workers as well as those with 20+ years of service.
On annual reviews, employees aged 50+ score an average of 4.20 out of 5.00 on the
performance of their job duties, employee engagement, and attendance. Those are strong
results that validate the emphasis that The Club at Ibis has placed on age-inclusive employment
practices.
Ibis is one of many small employers who are leading the way in age-inclusive hiring and support
for mature workers. Employers of all sizes – large or small – would do well to follow their
example.
For more information about the age-inclusive employment practices at The Club at Ibis, contact
Michelle Moran, Director of Human Resources, at mmoran@clubatibis.com.
Karen Roberts is the HR Manager/Volunteer Coordinator for Els for Autism in Jupiter, Florida.
She is a former board member and longtime ambassador and supporter of Encore Palm Beach
County, and helped to lead their Wisdom and Experience Works for Business Awards.
Michelle Moran has been the Director of Human Resources at The Club at Ibis for close to 20
years. The HR team Michelle leads was the recipient of the Best HR Team of the Year in 2023
and a nominee again in 2025 by Palm Beach County SHRM. She volunteers on the board of her
local HR chapter as President-Elect.