Labour Market Participation of Older Workers: Drivers and Obstacles

Abstract

From an international comparative point of view the paper deals with driving forces and potential obstacles for the labour market participation of older workers. It goes into depth by focusing on four case studies that seem to be typical for different contexts. Germany, Israel, Italy and Sweden were selected in order to examine the development and the situation of older workers in detail. Each country stands for a specific configuration, e.g. because it may represent a trend reversal, a continuously outstanding performance, or lasting problems. The cases also provde information on pension reforms and approaches to better manage ageing workforces, in some cases including a new balance of work and retirement. Being aware of the different country situations, it becomes obvious that one size of politics does not fit all. Independent of national policies, employability over the life cycle should gain more attention. Regarding future developments, continuous skill improvement and a healthy work environment are indispensable to keep older workers in work.

Is age an issue? Psychosocial differences in perceived older workers’ work (un)adaptability, effectiveness, and workplace age discrimination

“…Further, age barriers in accessing employment must be considered. Unemployed and underemployed people aged 50 or over have great difficulty in reentering the labor market (Kadefors & Hanse, 2012;von Humboldt & Leal, 2015b;von Humboldt et al, 2013a;2013b;Walwei & Deller, 2021). As such, organizations must adopt strategies to combat these barriers, such as removing age limits in job advertisements, use qualified people to interview and select candidates for their skills, qualifications, and experience, not their age (Naegele & Walker, 2006;Naegele, De Tavernier, etal., 2018).…”

Карьерные Ожидания Пожилых В России: На Основе Анализа Базы Резюме С Портала Роструда «Работа России»

“…В ходе сравнительного анализа ситуации с занятостью пожилых в Германии, Израиле, Италии, Швеции [Walwei, Deller, 2021] исследователи пришли к выводу о необходимости изучения специфики каждого отдельного странового кейса. В частности, в Израиле отмечены как большая группа людей, рано уходящих на пенсию, так и значительная группа работающих до самого преклонного возраста, притом что пенсионный возраст мужчин 67 лет, а пенсионный возраст женщин постепенно повышается с 64 до 67.…”

Facing and shaping the future of work

“…An increase in international migration is expected to help mitigate the impact of shrinking labour markets in advanced economies, though concerns raised include the potential for 'brain drain' in originating countries (Kerr et al, 2016). Expanding labour market participation amongst women and older people is also anticipated to form part of the solution (Eurofound, 2016;Walwei & Deller, 2021). These trends hold significant implications for both employers and the state in meeting the changing needs and expectations of an increasingly diverse workforce.…”