According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Great Recession began in December 2007 and ended in June 2009. With a duration of eighteen months, this recession was almost double the length of the average post-World War II economic downturn. Although the worst recession since the Great Depression is now technically over, this analysis…

This book contains seven chapters on work and older workers based on an international symposium held at the University of South Florida in 1989. Chapter titles and authors are as follows: (1) "The Corporate Sector's Stake in Older Workers" (Daniel Knowles); (2) "A Seller's Market for Older Workers" (Audrey Freedman); (3) "Retirees' Reentry into…

Older women, who comprise two-thirds of the retired U.S. population, share substantially less of the $1.3 trillion worth of over 800,000 private and public pension plans by every way of measurement. Of the one-in-five women receiving pension income, some obtain it from their own paid work history, while others are widows and divorced women who…

This monograph examines the phenomenon of retirement from the perspectives of the individual, the institution, and the socioeconomic system. In the first of five sections, the author looks at the evolution and institutionalization of the concept, discussing the effects of legislative and personnel policies, altered social and economic status, and…

A study was conducted in Hawaii to determine the status of elderly persons in regard to employment, as well as attitudes toward employment of the elderly, defined in this study as aged 55 and over. Elderly persons aged 65 and over are the fastest growing segment of Hawaii's population, projected to increase from 73,700 in 1980 to 141,000 in 2000.…

This booklet provides information about the changing work force. It offers a profile of workers aged 45 and older, as well as likely changes in the work force of the future. Tables and graphs illustrate the following: profile of Americans aged 50 and older, by employment status; employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by age…

A Labor Department task force examined issues relating to the United States' maturing labor force and outlines policy alternatives to address those issues. Major findings were summarized in three categories: (1) in tomorrow's work force, the median age of workers will be higher; older people will be healthier, live longer, and be available for…

Figures for Japan show that the percentage of people aged 55 and over will rise from 17.6 percent in 1980 to 32 percent in 2010. Employers show little concern about the aging of the work force and are accustomed to providing training geared to older workers. The government supports the employment and training of older workers through the…

This fact sheet provides an overview of the employment situation facing older adults. Statistics (Harris 1974 and 1979) are presented on the number of older Americans who are working, volunteering, or have an interest in working or volunteering; the attitudes of employers and employees about retirement and about working after age 65; and the…

Demographic, social, and economic trends are pointing in the direction of increased work force participation for older adults. The four major forces responsible for change in work patterns are the changing work force, changing older people, economic forces, and social forces. These forces are mediated by social convention, especially the…

A description of the status of college faculty in China looks at their number, composition, academic qualifications, tendency toward inbreeding, workload, salaries, retirement system, employment stability, lifestyle, and social standing. (MSE)

Figures for the United Kingdom show a slight increase in the population aged 55 and over. The number of people at or about retirement age has been slightly declining in the last decade; there is no "bulge" creating increased demands for employment and training. The British government has proposed a new Training for Employment program,…

Research synthesized from three studies of the Finnish labor market indicates that a rapidly changing working life in Finland (and the rest of Europe) sets many different challenges for the workforce. In Finland, the population is even more aged than in the other European Union (EU) member states, and the transition of older workers to retirement…

This information paper explores the need for age-neutral functional criteria in the human resources management system and the need for managers to review currently accepted employment policies. Population patterns, labor force profiles, and labor force projections are reviewed. The paper examines the effect of retirement policies and considers…

Part A of this report examines the causes of the labor market problems of older workers and the policies that could alleviate these problems. Chapter I presents an overview of the report, including a summary of findings and conclusions and recommendations for improving the employment conditions of older workers. Chapter II describes the general…