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dc.contributor.authorBillett, Stephen
dc.contributor.authorDymock, Darryl
dc.contributor.authorJohnson, Greer
dc.contributor.authorMartin, Greg
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-03T12:12:18Z
dc.date.available2017-05-03T12:12:18Z
dc.date.issued2011
dc.date.modified2012-09-14T01:59:37Z
dc.identifier.issn0958-5192
dc.identifier.doi10.1080/09585192.2011.559097
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10072/39802
dc.description.abstractIn advanced and developing economies, ageing populations and low birth rates are emphasising the need for retaining and sustaining competent older workers. This paper examines policy and practice implications from the contradictory accounts directed towards those workers aged over 44 years whom are usually classified as "older workers". It focuses on a key and paradoxical impediment in the retention of these workers in labour forces. That is, despite their increasing dependence on older workers, employers often position them as 'last resort' employees, hence inhibiting their access to employment, and the kinds of developmental opportunities and advancements afforded other categories of workers. Yet, in contrast, many older workers report being competent in their work; a view that is supported by other evidence. Using Australia as a case study, this paper argues that policies and practices to retain and sustain workers over 45 need to de-emphasise the term 'older workers' and reconsider how workplace environments and government policies, as well as practices by workers themselves, might pursue longer and more productive working lives for those aged over 45. It seeks to elaborate the paradox of the (under)valuing of older workers' contributions and provide direction for retaining and supporting the ongoing employability of these workers. It concludes by proposing that government, industry bodies and sector councils that seek to change employer attitudes will likely require a dual process comprising both engagement with older workers and a balanced appraisal of their worth. Alone, subsidies and/or mandation may well serve to entrench age bias without measures to redress that bias through a systematic appraisal of their current and potential contributions. In addition, to support this transformation of bias and sustain their employability, older workers will likely need to exercise greater agency in their work and learning.
dc.description.peerreviewedYes
dc.description.publicationstatusYes
dc.format.extent96992 bytes
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherRoutledge
dc.publisher.placeUnited Kingdom
dc.relation.ispartofstudentpublicationN
dc.relation.ispartofpagefrom1248
dc.relation.ispartofpageto1261
dc.relation.ispartofissue6
dc.relation.ispartofjournalInternational Journal of Human Resource Management
dc.relation.ispartofvolume22
dc.rights.retentionY
dc.subject.fieldofresearchEducation systems not elsewhere classified
dc.subject.fieldofresearchMarketing
dc.subject.fieldofresearchPolicy and administration
dc.subject.fieldofresearchHuman resources and industrial relations
dc.subject.fieldofresearchStrategy, management and organisational behaviour
dc.subject.fieldofresearchApplied and developmental psychology
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode390399
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode3506
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode4407
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode3505
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode3507
dc.subject.fieldofresearchcode5201
dc.titleOvercoming the paradox of employers' views about older workers
dc.typeJournal article
dc.type.descriptionC1 - Articles
dc.type.codeC - Journal Articles
gro.facultyArts, Education & Law Group, School of Education and Professional Studies
gro.rights.copyright© 2011 Routledge. This is an electronic version of an article published in International Journal of Human Resource Management, Volume 22, Issue 6, pp. 1248-1261. International Journal of Human Resource Management is available online at: http://www.informaworld.com with the open URL of your article.
gro.date.issued2011
gro.hasfulltextFull Text
gro.griffith.authorBillett, Stephen R.
gro.griffith.authorJohnson, Greer


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