Retirement or committed to work?

2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Winkelmann‐Gleed

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a UK older worker's perspective on the influences of multiple work and non‐work related commitments on their decision to extend working lives or to retire. As demographic change and economic challenges related to the financing of health care and pension plans affect retirement policies, this paper seeks to explore the individual worker's perspective. Their choice is framed by seeking to balance financial security in later life with the positive elements of work and the desire to match work with other commitments, something hardly taken into consideration by employers.Design/methodology/approachThe paper combines findings from existing research studies and UK based, semi‐structured interviews conducted as part of two ESF (European Social Fund) funded projects aiming at extending labour market participation for older workers. Key areas, such as retirement planning, training, flexibility and health are explored and the organisational identities/commitment literature provides a conceptual framework for understanding the push and pull factors associated with labour market exit among the over 50s.FindingsFundamental to the success of changes in government pension policies in terms of extending labour market participation of older workers is the element of individual agency rather than a view of victimisation. Viewing older workers as the ones who have to pay for increasing life expectancy by working longer could lead to people staying in work for the wrong reasons, negatively affecting productivity and job satisfaction. The discussion and conclusion stress the need for deeper understanding of work as one contributor to overall quality of life.Originality/valueThe political agenda to prolong working lives is principally driven by economic arguments. However, for any future policies to lead to an intrinsic motivation to want to remain in work, the voices of older workers express the desire to combine work with non‐work related commitments and identities. Achieving such balance could benefit the whole labour force.

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 890-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aart-Jan Riekhoff

During recent decades, labour market participation among older workers in the Netherlands has increased significantly. Postponing workers’ labour market withdrawal potentially makes their retirement patterns more uncertain and less predictable. This article uses Dutch register data to analyse de-standardisation and differentiation of retirement trajectories of men and women born between 1940 and 1946 for the age bracket of 59–65 ( N = 12,843). The results indicate that retirement trajectories of men have become more homogeneous, whereas those of women somewhat more heterogeneous. Simultaneously, retirement patterns of both men and women became more complex from one birth year to another.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette Engelhardt ◽  
Christopher Schmidt

In this paper, we investigate the effects of demographic, economic and labour market structures on labour market participation and on the transition to inactivity (exit) for older males in eleven European countries. Theoretically, our analysis is guided by considerations of intragenerational competition and intergenerational substitution. Following Easterlin’s hypothesis that intragenerational competition rises with cohort size, we assume a negative effect of cohort size on labour market participation and a positive effect on early exit from the labour market. Taking into account that different cohorts are substitutes at least to a certain extent, we assume that the probability of an early exit will be reduced by a high intergenerational exchange ratio in favour of older workers. Thus, labour market participation is influenced by the populations’ age structure both when entering the labour force and during the career. Moreover, low shares of graduates in older cohorts are expected to reduce older workers’ chances of labour market participation. In addition to demographic structures, general economic conditions, such as per capita GDP and its development over time, act both to further and to hamper the employment of older workers. Additionally, labour market structures, such as unemployment rates, the extent of part-time work or the amount of service jobs influence individual participation and the transition to inactivity. To test these hypotheses, we use merged data from the first two waves of SHARE and macro-level indicators from Eurostat. We estimate a two-level random-intercept logit model which allows us to determine the share of variance in international late careers that can be attributed to country-specific factors and can quantify the relative impact of specific socio-demographic and socio-economic backgrounds. Our results imply that cross-national variance in labour market participation is mainly driven by the instance of long-term unemployment and the share of highly-educated older men. While our analyses reveal some evidence of intragenerational competition, we do not find evidence of intergenerational competition forcing early exit or decreasing participation.


2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Fouarge

Does more childcare stimulate mothers to re-enter the labour market? Does more childcare stimulate mothers to re-enter the labour market? Previous research has shown that the supply of formal childcare facilities has a positive effect on the labour market participation of mothers with young children. When the supply of childcare facilities is higher, the probability that a female keeps on working after the birth of a child is larger. But does childcare also helps non-working mothers to join the labour force? This research shows that it is not the case. The research was carried out on administrative panel data to which data on the regional supply of childcare and the regional demand for labour were matched. It shows that the supply of childcare does not play a significant role in the re-entry in the labour market of mothers. The age of the child and the demand for labour in the region play an important role.


2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 237-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Phillipson

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to, first, provide some background to the treatment of older workers; second, highlight the distinction between a “fuller” and an “extended” working life; third, note the importance of separating out different groups within the category “older worker”; finally, identify areas for action to suppose those now facing working into their 60s and beyond. Design/methodology/approach – Commentary paper analysing development of policies towards older workers. Findings – This paper identifies problems implementing policy of extending working and provides various areas of action to support older workers. Research limitations/implications – This paper suggests extending work unlikely to be achieved without ensuring greater security for older workers. Practical implications – Importance of developing more support for older workers. Social implications – Challenge of resolving insecurity in the labour force as an impediment to extended working. Originality/value – This paper outlines a critical assessment of current government policy towards older workers.


Author(s):  
Masreka Khan

Immigrant women's labour market participation remains a long standing concern in the context of developed countries. Bangladeshi women are persistently reported to be one of the lowest participant groups in formal labour market in the UK. Where there is plethora of research to point out this fact, hardly any persuasive explanation is offered to unfold the phenomenon. The intrinsic bond between the rhetoric of citizenship and identities as immigrant is blurred in the surge of literatures. In this milieu, present chapter contributes to develop the understanding of the complex notion of citizenship and its implication in labour market participation, broadly on immigrant women and narrowly on Bangladeshi immigrant women. It reveals how ‘identity shaped by citizenship discourse' influences one of the important indicators of economic empowerment - market participation.


Author(s):  
Masreka Khan

Immigrant women's labour market participation remains a long standing concern in the context of developed countries. Bangladeshi women are persistently reported to be one of the lowest participant groups in formal labour market in the UK. Where there is plethora of research to point out this fact, hardly any persuasive explanation is offered to unfold the phenomenon. The intrinsic bond between the rhetoric of citizenship and identities as immigrant is blurred in the surge of literatures. In this milieu, present chapter contributes to develop the understanding of the complex notion of citizenship and its implication in labour market participation, broadly on immigrant women and narrowly on Bangladeshi immigrant women. It reveals how ‘identity shaped by citizenship discourse' influences one of the important indicators of economic empowerment - market participation.


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