United Kingdom: Study Focuses on How To Encourage Labor Market Activity Among 60-64 Year Olds

Researchers have published the results of a study (done on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions (Extending Working Life Division)) on how to best encourage the 60-64 age-group to take up or remain in work. According to the report--"Encouraging labour market activity among 60-64 year olds", flexible working, particularly part-time and short-term contracts, were favored among those research participants who wanted to work longer.

For those not looking to work longer, most typically felt that they had worked for long enough, althouth women were much more likely to mention social reasons for continuing to work, whereas the men were more inclined to feel that they had already "done their bit."

Among the conclusions of the researchers from the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, University of Kent in conjunction with The University of Edinburgh Business School, was that "Extending working life for those able and willing to work for longer requires action on a number of different fronts and by a range of stakeholders." In particular, employers "will have a pivotal role in providing and sustaining employment for older workers in a range of different circumstances and individuals themselves need to improve their understanding of, and ability to, respond to the opportunities and disadvantages that they experience as older workers."

Sources: University of Kent News Release (November 11, 2008); Department of Work and Pensions Abstract (November 11, 2008)