Transcript Aging and Work - University of Michigan HR

Carole F. Dubritsky
ADA Coordinator & Assistant Director
Office of Institutional Equity
Who are we?
At least 50% of the workforce!
What others might say about us [myths]
 Older workers can’t, or won’t, learn new skills
 Older workers don’t stay on the job long
 Older workers take more sick days than younger workers
 Older workers aren’t flexible or adaptable
 Older workers are more expensive
What does research say about us?
What does research say about us?
For those age 55-59, who are still fully engaged in the
workforce, economic incentives clearly dominate. About
72% of this group cited “need income to live on” as a
primary reason for working.
Among 60-65 year-olds, “need income to live on” (60%)
was still the most frequently mentioned reason for
working, but it was followed by a desire to “stay active
and engaged” (45%) and “do meaningful work” (43%).
What does research says about us?
Workers 55 and older are two to five times more likely to
have disabilities, including chronic but controllable
conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
While they may need additional time to complete some
tasks, they compensate with stronger decision-making
abilities.
They also take fewer absences than younger workers.
“Living Longer, Working Longer: The Changing Landscape of the Aging Workforce," MetLife 2006
What does research say about us?
Older workers have little interest in empire building or
becoming competitors of other staff and are able to
remain task-oriented. They don't need supervision or feel
the urge to flit from employer to employer.
Bureau of Labor Statistics Study 2008
What do executives say about us?
“Older workers are our most reliable contractors. If you
tell them to show up at 8 in the morning, they're there at
7:45 a.m. with their sleeves rolled up. They need very
little re-training. Often, when clients call us for help,
there's been a big blow-up with lots of chaos and not a
lot of structure. Older workers have the maturity to
handle the stress along with the different types of
personalities involved.“
Patrick Jones, CFO of top-tier staffing company Addison Search, LLC (2008)
What do ‘we’ say about us?
 Experienced
 Qualified
 Talented
 Responsible
 Age is an asset
But can we say ‘no’?
What do ‘we’ say about work?
Do we have choices?
What are they?
Getting through the day…
Life Demands
Work Demands
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 Productivity
Family
Parents
Rest/Sleep
Exercise
Entertainment
Spirituality/Religion
Hobbies
Housework
Health
Vacation
 Accountability
 Responsibility
 Projects/Deadlines
 Meetings
 Education/Training
 Team Work
 Intergenerational workforce
 Time Management
How would you depict your life presently?
What did you think your life would be like now?
Are there things you can do to get there?
What are they?
Older worker achievements
 Michelangelo begins the final Sistine Chapel painting
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Age 59
Nelson Mandela is elected President of South Africa
Age 76
John Glenn mans a second space flight
Age 77
Grandma Moses sells her first painting
Age 78
Verdi composes “Ave Maria”
Age 85