Both the short-term and long-term unemployment rates for older workers in the United States have increased significantly since the 2007 recession. Researchers who examine the impact of involuntary job loss have predominantly focused on the experiences of men. Limited prior research exists on the job loss experiences of women over 50 years of age compared to men. The goal of this study was to address this gap in knowledge by examining the lived experiences of women over 50 who had experienced involuntary job loss, the barriers faced to reemployment, and the ways women overcame the barriers to reemployment. A phenomenological design was employed to gather data from a convenience sample of 10 women in a northeastern metropolitan city. Guided by the frameworks of Bandura and Leana and Feldman, this transcendental approach aimed to capture the lived experiences of the women who incurred involuntary job loss. Data transcribed from audio-taped interviews were manually coded and aligned with the appropriate research question. The findings highlighted the emotions, finances, family and social life of women following job loss. The findings suggest women faced age discrimination, organizational practices, technological challenges, and stereotypical beliefs in their attempts toward reemployment. The results of the study can be used to inform organizational leaders of the need for greater emphasis on programs offering solutions to older female workers seeking reemployment. The study promotes potential positive social change by informing organizational leaders of the experiences of women over 50 who had experienced involuntary job loss.

Avec la vague des départs à la retraite amorcée par la génération des baby-boomers, le marché du travail canadien traversera inéluctablement une période de transition. Le vide laissé par ces départs obligera de nombreuses industries à réajuster leur tir afin de ne pas être secouées par de trop fortes turbulences. À cet effet, l’impact des retraites n’aura pas la même ampleur pour chacune des branches d’activité. S’appuyant sur les données longitudinales de l’Enquête sur la dynamique du travail et du revenu de 1993 à 2010, cette recherche analyse les tendances au fil du temps et entre les industries en regard des départs d’emploi de carrière. Une attention particulière est aussi portée aux emplois de transition selon le secteur d’activité, afin de déterminer si cette pratique peut amoindrir les répercussions des départs d’emploi de carrière. Les résultats montrent que l’intensité des départs d’emploi de carrière s’accroit au cours de la période considérée et que d’importantes variations existent entre les travailleurs des diverses catégories d’industries examinées. L’industrie des services professionnels, scientifiques et techniques affiche la plus faible proportion de travailleurs ayant quitté un emploi de carrière (26 %). À l’autre extrémité du spectre, les travailleurs du secteur de l’hébergement et des services de restauration présentent la plus forte probabilité d’effectuer un départ d’emploi de carrière (47 %). Au chapitre des emplois de transition, les travailleurs en provenance l’industrie de la construction montrent la plus forte propension à oeuvrer au sein d’un tel type d’emploi. Si certaines industries se démarquent des autres, cela s’explique surtout en raison du comportement différentiel des travailleurs les plus âgés (55 à 64 ans). / With the Baby-boom generation entering upon a retirement wave, the Canadian labour force will ineluctably go through a transition period. Those departures will leave a vacuum that will force many industries to readjust in order to avoid heavy turbulences. The impact of the retirement wave will not have the same impact for each of the industries. Using longitudinal data from the Survey of Labour and Income Dynamics for years 1993 to 2010, this study analyzes trends over time and across industries regarding workers leaving a career job. A particular attention will also be paid to bridge jobs by industry, in order to determine if this type of work may lessen the effects of the loss of many career jobs. The results show that workers are increasingly leaving career jobs during the period under review and that considerable variations exist between workers of various industries. The industry of Professional, Scientific and Technical Services shows the smallest proportion of workers that have left a career job (26%). Conversely, the highest probability of leaving a career job was recorded among workers of the Accommodation and Food Services industry (47%). Regarding bridge jobs, workers coming from the Construction industry have the greatest propensity to start such a type of work after leaving a career job. If some industries stand out from all the others, this is largely attributable to the distinct behaviour of the eldest workers (55 to 64 years old).

Avec le vieillissement général de la population et ses implications sur la pérennité des finances publiques, le marché du travail des seniors est un thème qui va continuer à préoccuper nos sociétés. L’objectif de cette thèse est de répondre à des problématiques concrètes relatives au marché du travail des personnes âgées. Cette thèse comprend quatre chapitres. Les deux premiers chapitres s’intéressent à l’évolution des trajectoires salariales en fin de carrière professionnelle. Les résultats ne supportent pas l’idée que les salaires décroissent pour les travailleurs âgés à cause de l’âge. La diminution du salaire observée pour les travailleurs âgés en coupe transversale est le résultat d’effet de cohorte, de changement d’emploi, ou de la retraite partielle. Le Chapitre 3 évalue les effets des réformes du régime des retraites sur les transitions du chômage à l’emploi. Les réformes du régime des retraites ont des effets limités sur le retour en emploi des chômeurs, mais elles sont accompagnées par une augmentation des sorties vers l’inactivité, entraînant ainsi une baisse du taux de chômage des travailleurs âgés. Enfin, le Chapitre 4 examine les principaux facteurs des difficultés des seniors à se maintenir en emploi. Il propose également une analyse des opportunités d’emploi des chômeurs âgés. Les résultats montrent que l’état de santé, les incitations économiques et l’âge augmentent la probabilité de quitter son emploi, alors que l’âge diminue les chances de réemploi des travailleurs âgés. Une décomposition à la Oaxaca confirme le rôle déterminant de l’âge dans les différences de durée de chômage entre travailleurs d’âge différent, ce qui est consistent avec des attitudes discriminatoires. / With the global ageing of population and the consequences on public finances sustainability, the labour market of older workers remains a key concern for societies.The aim of this dissertation is to address particular issues on the labour market for older workers.This thesis consists of four chapters.The first two chapters examine the age-earnings trajectories late in working life.We do not find support of a decline of earnings at older ages as the consequence of ageing.The decline of the age-earnings profile observed for older workers at cross-sectional analysis is attributable to cohort effects, job-changing, and partial retirement.Chapter 3 evaluates the effects of French pension reforms on older workers’ transition out of unemployment and into employment. We find that the retirement reforms have limited effects on re-employment, and they increase transitions into inactivity, leading to a decrease of unemployment rate of older workers.Finally,Chapter 4 investigates the factors behind difficulties to remain in employment as workers age. It also evaluates job opportunities of older unemployed workers.The results indicate that the probability of leaving employment increases with economic incentives, ill health and age, while the probability of getting back to employment decreases with age.An Oaxaca decomposition supports the key role of age in the unemployment duration gap between ‘older’ and ‘younger’ workers, which is consistent with age discrimination.

No description available.

Dans un contexte de vieillissement démographique où l’on peut, entre autres, craindre une montée des pénuries de main-d’œuvre, des interventions gouvernementales ont été envisagées afin de s’en prémunir. Parmi les solutions envisageables, celle d’inciter les personnes âgées à demeurer plus longtemps ou à revenir sur le marché du travail a été empruntée par les gouvernements du Canada et, à plus forte raison, du Québec qui est la seule province à s’être doté d’une politique basée sur le concept de vieillissement actif encadrant ces réformes. Notre travail a permis de recenser la mise en place d’incitatifs financiers dont l’objectif était l’incitation à l’emploi des personnes âgées, ce qui nous mène à faire le constat d’une reconfiguration de la logique institutionnelle des politiques publiques destinées aux personnes âgées. Bien que ces mesures aient été adoptées depuis plusieurs années, nous ignorions l’efficacité de celles-ci et remarquons que peu d’évaluations avaient été entreprises sur les mesures d’incitation financière destinées aux personnes âgées au Canada. Nous notons que les changements entrepris étaient diversifiés dans leur nature, ce qui représente une opportunité particulièrement féconde en matière de recherche en politiques publiques de comparer ces instruments au sein d’une même population sur une courte période de temps. Notre travail de recherche a ainsi pour principale question d’évaluer les effets de ces incitatifs financiers sur la participation des personnes âgées au marché du travail, sur le type d’emploi occupé et sur l’intensité de celui-ci. Notre cadre théorique combinant des théories issues des sciences économiques classiques et des courants institutionnalistes nous permet de générer différentes hypothèses sur les marges extensives et intensives de travail, sur le type d’emploi occupé ainsi que sur les effets hétérogènes selon le profil sociodémographique. À partir des microdonnées de l’Enquête sur la population active et d’un modèle économétrique basé sur la méthode des différences dans les différences, nous avons évalué au sein d’un même modèle l’efficacité de quatre types de mesures différentes : la possibilité de cumuler des revenus d’emploi et des rentes de retraite, un crédit d’impôt sur l’offre de travail, un crédit d’impôt sur la demande de travail et un mécanisme de bonus-malus sur les rentes de retraite. Trois types de régressions ont été entreprises : premièrement, une régression binomiale sur le fait de participer au marché du travail; deuxièmement, une régression linéaire sur le nombre d’heures travaillées; et, troisièmement, une régression multinomiale sur le type d’emploi. Nos résultats sur les marges extensives de travail montrent que toutes les variables incitatives ont exercé une influence à la hausse sur l’activité des personnes âgées. Bien que des effets hétérogènes soient observés selon la mesure, l’incitatif le plus efficace apparaît être la possibilité de cumuler des revenus d’emploi et des rentes de retraite alors que le crédit sur l’offre de travail et le mécanisme de bonus-malus n’exercent une influence importante que sur des sous-groupes précis de la population, généralement aisés. Ce sont les personnes moyennement scolarisées, les hommes et les personnes âgées de 60 à 64 ans qui ont vu une plus forte hausse de leur activité en réaction aux incitatifs. Au contraire, les personnes les moins scolarisées présentent la plus faible réaction, bien qu’ils soient expressément ciblés par plusieurs mesures. Il nous semble par conséquent que des obstacles institutionnels peuvent interagir avec les incitatifs financiers et limiter leur efficacité. Au niveau des marges intensives et du type d’emploi, les mesures incitatives ont, de manière agrégée, peu influencé l’intensité du travail, ce qui s’explique par des effets opposés selon les mesures mises en place. Alors que certaines mesures encouragent théoriquement à travailler plus intensément, d’autres mènent plutôt les personnes à réduire l’intensité de leur travail ou à travailler à temps partiel. En règle générale, ce sont les personnes les plus scolarisées et les hommes qui semblent avoir davantage la marge de manœuvre pour ajuster l’intensité de leur travail ou de choisir un emploi à temps partiel afin d’optimiser leurs préférences. / In a context of demographic ageing, where there are fears of growing labour shortages, measures had to be considered to mitigate its negative effects. Among the possible solutions, that of encouraging older people to stay longer or return to the workforce has been taken up by governments in Canada and, even more so, in Quebec, the only province to have adopted a policy of active aging to frame these reforms. Our work has enabled us to make a detailed inventory of financial incentives aimed at encouraging the employment of older people, which we analyze as a major reconfiguration of the institutional logic of public policies aimed at the elderly. While many measures had been taken, we are unaware of their effectiveness, and noted that few evaluations had been undertaken in Canada. We note that those changes were diversified in nature, which represents a particularly fruitful opportunity for public policy research, since it enables us to compare their effect within the same population over a short period of time. The main aim of our research was to assess the effects of these incentives on older people's participation in the labour market, and on the type and intensity of their employment. Our theoretical framework, composed of orthodox and heterodox economic theories, enables us to generate various hypotheses on extensive and intensive work margins, as well as on heterogeneous effects according to socio-demographic profile. Using microdata from the Labour Force Survey and an econometric model based on the difference-in-difference method, we evaluated the effectiveness of four different types of measures within the same model: the possibility of combining employment income and retirement pensions, a tax credit on labour supply, a tax credit on labour demand, and a bonus-malus mechanism on retirement pensions. Three types of regressions were undertaken: first, a binomial regression on participation in the labour market; secondly, a linear regression on the number of hours worked; and, thirdly, a multinomial regression on job type. Our results on participation in the labour market showed that all incentive variables had an positive influence on the activity of the elderly. Although heterogeneous effects were observed, the most effective incentive was the possibility of combining employment income and retirement pensions, whereas the labor supply credit and the bonus-malus mechanism only exerted a significant influence on specific sub-groups of the population, generally the wealthier. People with a medium level of education (secondary and partial post-secondary), men and people aged 60 to 64 saw the greatest increase in their activity. In contrast, the least educated (0 to 8 years of schooling) showed the weakest response to incentives. While the latter could be targeted by incentives, institutional barriers may interact with the latter and limit their effectiveness. At the level of intensive margins, incentives had little influence on work intensity in aggregate terms, which can be explained by opposite effects depending on the measures implemented. Indeed, while some measures theoretically encourage people to work more intensively, others tend to lead them to reduce the intensity of their work or to work part-time. Generally, it is the better-educated and men who seem to be more capable to adjust their work intensity or choose part-time employment to optimize their preferences.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T20:48:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Patricia Silva Gomes.pdf: 1071079 bytes, checksum: e406874e42c8d301fb8ad4a1b18b2083 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-18 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The main objective of this research is to present and analyze the process of population aging in Brazil and its consequences on the labor market and public employment policies. It was adopted the literature, and used as sources of empirical data the statistics provided by the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). First, it is concluded that in Brazil there are not specific labor public policies for the elderly. Although the guidelines for labor public policy (or employment) for the elderly in Brazil are set out in legal documents, outside the social security field, there is not government action aimed at changing the level of employment among older people, or actions that let his stay or return to the labor market. The labor public policies for older people can mitigate the negative effects of the considered population aging on the labor market, similar to what already occurs in OECD countries, and allow the permanence and rehabilitation of elderly in the Brazilian labor market. It also concludes that Brazil is experiencing the called demographic dividend (relative increase in the economically active population), i.e. the lowest dependency ratio. Therefore, this is the best time to implement the labor public policies suggested. Finally, the government and society must not allow this opportunity is missed / O objetivo principal deste trabalho é apresentar e analisar o processo de envelhecimento populacional no Brasil e as suas consequências no mercado de trabalho e nas políticas públicas de emprego. Neste trabalho foi adotada a pesquisa bibliográfica e usadas como fontes de dados empíricos as estatísticas disponibilizadas pela Organização das Nações Unidas (ONU), Organização para Cooperação e Desenvolvimento Econômico (OCDE) e Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Primeiramente, conclui-se que no Brasil não existem políticas públicas de emprego específicas para o público idoso. Embora as diretrizes para as políticas públicas de trabalho (ou emprego) para os idosos no Brasil sejam previstas nos documentos legais, fora do campo previdenciário, praticamente não há ação governamental com o objetivo de alterar o nível de emprego entre os idosos, ou ações que permitam sua permanência ou reinserção no mercado de trabalho. As políticas públicas de emprego para os idosos podem amenizar os efeitos considerados negativos do envelhecimento populacional sobre o mercado de trabalho, a exemplo do que já ocorre nos países da OCDE, e permitir a permanência e a reinserção dos idosos no mercado de trabalho brasileiro. Conclui-se também que o Brasil está vivenciando o denominado bônus demográfico (relativo aumento da população economicamente ativa), ou seja, a menor razão de dependência. Portanto, este é o melhor momento para implementar as políticas públicas de emprego. E, por fim, é necessário que o governo e a sociedade não permitam que esta oportunidade seja perdida

Cette thèse propose d’expliquer le faible taux d’emploi enregistré en France après 55 ans par les risques de fragilité économique, professionnelle, sociale et familiale que révèle le passage à la retraite. Elle repose sur le postulat de la liberté de choix dans la décision de retraite.En 2005, une étude quantitative sur les intentions de départ à la retraite a été menée auprès de 1004 individus en emploi, âgés de 54 à 59 ans. Les trajectoires personnelles comportant leur part d’incertitude et de changements, 31 entretiens semi-directifs ont été réalisés auprès de membres de l’échantillon initial, cinq ans plus tard, afin de permettre un suivi longitudinal. L’articulation des représentations de la retraite, du parcours professionnel et de la trajectoire familiale vise à cerner les écarts entre les projets et les choix adoptés et à déterminer les facteurs-clés impliqués dans la décision.Cette thèse souligne tout d’abord que la majorité des projets initiaux ne sont pas concrétisés. Le déterminisme du contexte professionnel sur la décision de retraite explique en partie ces réajustements : dégradation des conditions de travail, déclassement en fin de carrière, stigmatisation sont autant d’arguments susceptibles d’inciter les individus à partir à la retraite plus tôt que prévu. Mais les itinéraires familiaux pèsent également sur ces choix : « pivots générationnels » entre des parents âgés et des descendants à soutenir, les jeunes retraités doivent faire face à des charges familiales qui influent sur leur décision. Enfin, cette recherche met en évidence la manière dont les jeunes retraités issus du baby-boom, très attachés à leur liberté individuelle tout au long de leur parcours, défendent la préservation d’espaces personnels (individualisation des pratiques), adoptant ainsi des modèles familiaux et une manière de vivre la retraite inédits. / This thesis seeks to explain the low employment rate in France for people aged 55 years and above in terms of the increasing risk of economic, professional, social and family fragility observed in the transition to retirement. The research is based on the postulate of “free choice” in retirement decisions.In 2005, a quantitative study on the intentions of retirement was conducted among 1,004 employed individuals aged 54-59 years. As personal life courses are marked by change and uncertainties, a longitudinal analysis comprising 31 semi-structured interviews was conducted five years later with participants of the initial sample. The combined study of representations of retirement, end of career and family context allows differences to be identified between plans and the final adopted choices, and the key factors involved in the final decision to be determined.First of all, this thesis demonstrates that most of the initial plans are not realised. The determinism of the professional context on the retirement decision partly explains the observed adjustments: a degradation of working conditions, the assignation of under-qualified tasks at the end of a career, and stigmatisation are all factors that encourage people to retire earlier than expected. But the family environment also influences choices: as "generational pivots" between elderly parents and children to support, young retired people have to face family responsibilities that affect their decisions. Finally, this research highlights how young retirees from the baby boom, for whom individual freedom played a central role in their past life course, adopt new family models and a new way of living (the preservation of “individual spaces” and individualised behaviours) during retirement.

This study sought to explore the challenges faced by older workers who do not fit the age-type of their jobs and how older workers adapt to overcome those challenges. Specifically, I surveyed a national sample of 227 workers 50 years of age and older, in a wide variety of jobs, on measures of perceived age discrimination and adaptation behaviors. I found that fit, as determined by career timetables theory, but not prototype matching theory, successfully predicted perceived age discrimination. Specifically, more age discrimination was perceived when fewer older workers occupied a job. Additionally, multiple regression analysis showed that career timetables theory, prototype matching theory, and measures of perceived discrimination interacted to predict adaptation behaviors. That is, older workers made more efforts appear younger at work when they perceived age discrimination in jobs occupied by fewer older workers and older women expressed greater desires to appear younger at work when they perceived age discrimination in jobs viewed as more appropriate for younger workers. Although older workers made a wide variety of efforts to appear younger at work, from changing the way they dressed to undergoing surgical procedures, the adaptation efforts believed to be the most effective against age discrimination were more oriented toward enhancing job performance than one’s appearance. It is especially troubling that greater perceived age discrimination was found in young-typed jobs (than in old-typed jobs) given that the number of older workers occupying young-typed jobs is expected to rapidly grow in the near future and perceived discrimination is associated with mental and physical consequences for older adults. Understanding effective adaptations to age discrimination is a valuable first step in helping older workers overcome the iv disadvantages they may face in the workplace, especially when they occupy young-typed jobs. Implications for theory and research are discussed

The purpose of this study has been to explore the importance of internalized age stereotypes and age norms for older workers' self-image. By examining the use of norms and stereotypes when they talk about their working life and plan for life after retirement, the study aims to expand the understanding of self-image formation and the influence of internalized age stereotypes on retirement planning. The study was conducted using a qualitative method with semi-structured interviews. The theoretical framework guiding this research incorporates social identity theory and self-categorization theory to understand how self-image takes shape throughsocial interactions and societal structures. Concepts from social psychology underscore the importance of self-reflection in identity formation. Stereotype embodiment theory specifically focuses on the impact of ageist stereotypes. The results of our study show that internalized ageist beliefs influence the participants’ thoughts, feelings and behaviors. These beliefs affect their self-image and interpretation of the world around them. Self-image is continuously formed throughout life, not only at work or during leisure time. Our theoretical standpoint is confirmed by the empirical data, showing that how individuals perceive themselves is significantly influenced by how they are perceived by others. However, this varies with their basic self-esteem. The less significance age has for personal identity, the lower the susceptibility to societal ageist attitudes. Our study shows that age identification is stronger among women. The influence on an age-related self-image on retirement plans is relatively low. The plans are based on what the participants want and dream about – choices dictated by their personality, interests, feelings and values. Age is a part of the whole, without being decisive for post-retirement plans. However, the age-related aspect can be seen in the fact that several participants experience stress about not being able to accomplish everything they desire in life. This stress does not motivate continued work but rather encourages them to retire as soon as they have the opportunity from both a work and economic perspective.