Research Study Pushes for Cultural Changes To Increase Workplace Flexibility for Older Workers

An AARP Public Policy Institute Insight on the Issues report focuses on the availability of and barriers to flexible work options, with a particular focus on older workers and phased retirement. According to the Making Work More Flexible: Opportunities and Evidence, prepared by Melissa A. Hardy of The Pennsylvania State University, many employers remain skeptical of flexible work options, despite growing evidence that they can benefit both employers and employees. Among other things, these employers fear that labor costs, output, or administrative efficiency will be unfavorably affected.

Among other things, the report looks at phased retirement, finding that while older workers express considerable interest in scaling back their work hours prior to full retirement, and many analysts and older worker advocates contend that such work options could prolong working life, relatively few workers have access to formal phased retirement options.

Source: AARP Research Report (November 2008)