Ageing Labour Forces: Promises and Prospects

by Philip Taylor (Editor)

Overview

This provocative book considers the changing status of older workers, the evolution of public policy on age and work and the behaviour of employers. It attempts to answer the critical question: in an ageing society, can older workers look forward to the prospect of longer working lives with choice and security and make successful transitions to retirement?

Ageing Labour Forces challenges the current stance of many governments and observers concerning policies to extend working lives. It utilises perspectives and case studies from public policy, employment policy and the attitudes and behaviour of older people. Philip Taylor argues that older workers have been at the forefront of industrialized society's efforts to respond to the crisis facing social welfare systems and the economic threats associated with population ageing. Their involvement has forced the restructuring of economies, adjustments to social welfare systems as well as redefinitions to the actual concept of old age.

Containing contributions from leading researchers in a number of countries, this work will appeal to academics and researchers interested in work, ageing and public policy as well as labour economics.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781845424251
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	03/31/2008
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Edited by Philip Taylor, Professor, Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick, UK

Table of Contents

Contents:

Introduction: The Promise of Ageing Labour Forces
Philip Taylor

1. Looking Forward to Working Longer in Australia
Sol Encel

2. Japan: Towards Employment Extension for Older Workers
Masato Oka

3. Work and Retirement in Canada: Policies and Prospects
Julie McMullin, Martin Cooke and Terri Tomchick

4. Sing if you’re Glad to be Grey. Working Towards a Happier Older Age in the United Kingdom
Philip Taylor

5. Age and Work in the United States of America
Sara Rix

6. Labour Market Policies Regarding Older Workers in the Netherlands
Kène Henkens and Joop Schippers

7. Pulling up the Early Retirement Anchor in France
Anne-Marie Guillemard and Annie Jolivet

8. Active Ageing in Employment – Prospects and Policy Approaches in Germany
Frerich Frerichs and Gerhard Naegele

9. Conclusions: The Propsects for Ageing Labour Forces
Philip Taylor

Index

Editorial Reviews

'Philip Taylor has produced an important and excellent edited collection on a topic of immediate and ongoing relevance. . . The case studies presented in this collection are highly accessible and rich in detail, and provide comprehensive and interesting analyses of ageing labour forces. The book challenges myths and oft-accepted statements made by policy-makers and other commentators about population ageing, older workers' position in the labour market and in workplaces, and social supports for this segment of the labour force. In addition, the volume demonstrates the strength of the case study methodology in helping us to better understand social structures and relations. Of particular value is that the contributions are from researchers from varied disciplines across advanced industrialized countries. . . this collection is highly valuable for policy-makers, employers, unionists, and academics, and should not be ignored.'

Vivian Shalla

'The book is extremely valuable for policy makers, labour market and welfare (pensions) experts and the social partners, because it contains a comprehensive analysis of the legal, institutional, welfare and employment policy developments over the past few decades in the eight countries. It offers policy guidance and examples of good practices for dealing with an ageing workforce, but also showing the adverse effects of well-intentioned policies and legislation.'

Hedva Sarfati

'This book makes an important contribution to the policy debate about age and the workforce, and will be valuable both to academic researchers interested in the labour market and ageing policy, and to policymakers who wish to understand the diversity of national approaches to a shared agenda. . . This book sheds new light on the differences between countries' approaches to the common policy issues, and highlights some of the issues which policy needs to address. Taylor's overarching argument that we should be cautious about making over-positive assumptions about the benefits of extending working life is timely.'

Stephen McNair

'Ageing Labour Forces is a provocative work, which will appeal to academics and researches interested in work, ageing and public policy, as well as labour economics.'

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