Best employers standouts

San Diego Business Journal, Feb 21, 2005

Since the Best Employers for Workers awards were first established by AARP in 2001, 88 companies have been notionally recognized by an independent panel of judges. Six California companies have been selected, including:

* QUALCOMM--a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services. Headquartered in San Diego.

* Ultratech, Inc.--Designs, manufactures and markets photolithography equipment used in the fabrication of semiconductor and nanotechnology devices. Based in San Jose.

* Aerospace Corporation--An independent nonprofit that applies science and technology toward solving critical issues on the nation's space program. Headquartered in El Segundo.

* DaVita Inc.--Provides dialysis services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, serving nearly 43,000 patients in 32 states and the District of Columbia, and with more than 490 outpatient dialysis centers. DaVita also provides acute inpatient dialysis services in more than 280 hospitals across the country. Headquartered in El Segundo.

* Farmers Insurance Group of Companies--The third largest writer of both private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance. Based in Los Angeles

* Scripps Healthcare--A not for profit, community-based health core system that includes five acute and tertiary care hospitals, numerous outpatient facilities and home health care services. Headquartered in San Diego.

The program rewards innovative organizations that offer policies and features that appeal to workers 50 in the areas of recruitment, flexible work options and rehiring practices.