Many companies recognize the importance of including older persons in the labor force, but barriers still exist that limit their productive employment. Negative stereotypes may influence hiring and promotion decisions, and training opportunities may be closed. A study was conducted of private sector employment programs/practices that are intended to increase employment options for older workers, using the University of Michigan National Older Workers Information System (NOWIS), a computerized information system containing descriptions of company programs/practices for older workers. A range of private sector approaches was analyzed to determine the extent to which different employment problems are addressed and how these programs/practices meet the personnel needs of the companies involved. The analysis suggests that programs are successful when they are symbiotic--benefiting both the worker and the company. Approaches tend to focus on special programs to use needed technical or professional skills and/or to employ people for part-time or temporary work. Most programs involve white-collar workers; programs for blue-collar workers generally were concentrated in service occupations. Social Security policies, employee benefit policies, and the state of the economy all have important implications for older workers, the study found. Private sector programs can be expected to expand with the growth in the proportion of older persons in the labor force. These efforts, however, will probably be limited to situations in which a program or practice works to the mutual advantage of employers and older workers, especially with regard to blue-collar production workers and nonclerical white-collar workers. For these groups, other approaches may be needed. (KC)