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How do employers cope with an ageing workforce?

Author

Listed:
  • Hendrik P. van Dalen

    (Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI))

  • Kène Henkens

    (Nederlands Interdisciplinair Demografisch Instituut (NIDI))

  • Joop Schippers

    (Universiteit Utrecht)

Abstract

How age-conscious are human resource policies? Using a survey of Dutch employers, we examine how employers deal with the prospect of an ageing work force. We supplement our analysis with an additional survey of Dutch employees to compare human resource policies to practices. Results show that a small minority of employers are taking measures to enhance productivity (training programmes) or bring productivity in line with pay (demotion). Personnel policies tend to ‘spare’ older workers: giving them extra leave, early retirement, or generous employment protection: older workers who perform poorly are allowed to stay, whereas younger workers under similar conditions are dismissed.

Suggested Citation

  • Hendrik P. van Dalen & Kène Henkens & Joop Schippers, 2010. "How do employers cope with an ageing workforce?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 22(32), pages 1015-1036.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:22:y:2010:i:32
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2010.22.32
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Larsen, Mona & Pedersen, Peder J., 2017. "Labour force activity after 65: what explain recent trends in Denmark, Germany and Sweden?," Journal for Labour Market Research, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany], vol. 50(1), pages 15-27.
    2. David Cantarero-Prieto & Marta Pascual-Sáez & Javier Lera, 2020. "Healthcare Utilization and Healthy Lifestyles among Elderly People Living in Southern Europe: Recent Evidence from the SHARE," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 48(1), pages 53-66, March.
    3. Arjan Heyma & Siemen Werff & Aukje Nauta & Guurtje Sloten, 2014. "What Makes Older Job-Seekers Attractive to Employers?," De Economist, Springer, vol. 162(4), pages 397-414, December.
    4. van Dalen, H.P. & Henkens, K., 2015. "Why Demotion of Older Workers is a No-Go Area for Managers," Discussion Paper 2015-025, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
    5. Larsen, Mona & Pedersen, Peder J., 2012. "Paid Work after Retirement: Recent Trends in Denmark," IZA Discussion Papers 6537, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Anita Richert-Kazmierska, 2013. "Is There Any Demand For The Workers Aged 50+ In Poland?," Equilibrium. Quarterly Journal of Economics and Economic Policy, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 8(3), pages 123-135, September.
    7. Asyraf Afthanorhan & Abdullah Al Mamun & Noor Raihani Zainol & Hazimi Foziah & Zainudin Awang, 2020. "Framing the Retirement Planning Behavior Model towards Sustainable Wellbeing among Youth: The Moderating Effect of Public Profiles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-24, October.
    8. Andrea Principi & Jürgen Bauknecht & Mirko Di Rosa & Marco Socci, 2020. "Employees’ Longer Working Lives in Europe: Drivers and Barriers in Companies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-18, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    aging; stereotypes; employers; productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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