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Burnout and older workers' intentions to retire

Author

Listed:
  • Kène Henkens
  • Monique Leenders

Abstract

Purpose - The central theme of this article is early retirement intentions and burnout among older workers. The paper aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between the burnout dimensions exhaustion, cynicism and competence and retirement intentions. Design/methodology/approach - The data were taken from a survey held among Dutch older workers (50+) and their spouses (n=2,892). Findings - The results show that a high workload, heavy physical work, lack of challenge, autonomy and social support from colleagues and managers are related to burnout complaints, although in a different way for the three dimensions. The results show that besides the effect of burnout, retirement intentions are related to the level of marital quality. Older workers who report a higher level of marital quality report a stronger intention to retire. Burnout and retirement intentions are related, but appear to have partly different predictors. While burnout can generally be explained by the work environment, non‐work related factors enhance the understanding of retirement intentions. Originality/value - This study shows that actual retirement is often preceded by feelings of burnout, in particular a mental detachment from work and feelings of exhaustion.

Suggested Citation

  • Kène Henkens & Monique Leenders, 2010. "Burnout and older workers' intentions to retire," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(3), pages 306-321, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijmpps:v:31:y:2010:i:3:p:306-321
    DOI: 10.1108/01437721011050594
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicole Maestas & Xiaoyan Li, 2007. "Burnout and the Retirement Decision," Working Papers wp166, University of Michigan, Michigan Retirement Research Center.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Rožman Maja & Treven Sonja & Čančer Vesna & Cingula Marijan, 2017. "Burnout of Older and Younger Employees – The Case of Slovenia," Organizacija, Sciendo, vol. 50(1), pages 47-62, February.
    2. Peter Browne & Ewan Carr & Maria Fleischmann & Baowen Xue & Stephen A. Stansfeld, 2019. "The relationship between workplace psychosocial environment and retirement intentions and actual retirement: a systematic review," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 73-82, March.
    3. Marta Sousa-Ribeiro & Claudia Bernhard-Oettel & Magnus Sverke & Hugo Westerlund, 2021. "Health- and Age-Related Workplace Factors as Predictors of Preferred, Expected, and Actual Retirement Timing: Findings from a Swedish Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-25, March.
    4. Rožman Maja & Tominc Polona & Grinkevich Anastasiia, 2019. "Occupational Stress, Symptoms of Burnout in the Workplace and Work Satisfaction of the Age-diverse Employees," Organizacija, Sciendo, vol. 52(1), pages 46-52, February.
    5. Elisha Obella & John C. Kigozi Munene & Joseph Mpeera Ntayi & James Kagaari, 2022. "Adaptation and Strategic Retirement of Secondary School Teachers," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 649-667, September.
    6. Khaled Lahlouh & Delphine Lacaze & Richard Huaman-Ramirez, 2019. "Bridge employment and full retirement intentions: the role of Person-Environment fit," Working Papers hal-02162734, HAL.
    7. Russell, Helen & Maître, Bertrand & Privalko, Ivan, 2019. "The ageing workforce in Ireland: Working conditions, health and extending working lives," Research Series, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), number RS92.
    8. Rožman Maja & Treven Sonja & Čančer Vesna, 2017. "Motivation and Satisfaction of Employees in the Workplace," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 8(2), pages 14-25, September.
    9. Rožman Maja & Treven Sonja & Cingula Marijan, 2018. "The Impact of Behavioral Symptoms of Burnout on Work Engagement of Older Employees: The Case of Slovenian Companies," Naše gospodarstvo/Our economy, Sciendo, vol. 64(3), pages 3-11, September.

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