lifelong work
Posted by Catriona in Commentary on March 1st, 2010
In our efforts to transform the notion of ‘retirement‘ to the notion of ‘redirection‘, we’re always on the lookout for phrases and descriptions that make us think about working differently. I like this quote from the Public Management Outlook newsletter (IGPDE Newsletter / Research-studies-Monitoring-no33-Jan2010)
From full-time work to lifelong work
The proliferation of part-time work has contributed to the growth in employment among Dutch seniors. Seen in the early 1990s as a life-work balancing tool, part-time work is now perceived as a tool for ‘lifelong’ work. It is incorporated into the labour organisation set-up with a consolidated status. Some 5% of working persons aged 55 to 64 years old work jobs less than 12 hours per week, earning extra income for the seniors concerned.
If organisations are really serious about stemming the loss to retirement, then redesigning roles to enable a choice of lifelong work has to be part of the solution.
active strategies required to address ageing workforce challenge
Elizabeth Broderick is quoted in HR Leader:
“It is imperative that active strategies be developed to address the discrimination and prejudice that older workers can experience when looking for employment or even continuing in employment,” said Broderick.
We would add that employers need to implement intentional programs to address the development of workers in ‘late career’. There is a great paradox; employers will spend a large proportion of their development budget on Gen Y employees who are lucky to stay for even five years, but question investing even a small proportion of that budget on their ‘late career’ workers who may gladly work for another ten years, beyond a traditional retirement date, if they get the right support and training to do so.
In the words of Workforce Planning sage Julie Sloane:
Remember, retention first and recruitment will follow…
GFC only a slight reprieve
SageCo’s recent survey about the impact of the GFC on retirement and working intentions get’s some coverage in HC Magazine.
Anecdotal evidence to suggest that mature workers would hang on to their jobs and defer their retirement plans has been supported by results of a survey by ageing workforce specialists, SageCo.
molehill versus mountain
Posted by Catriona in Commentary on February 8th, 2010
This article in The Economist neatly expresses what we often bang on about.
“Most companies are remarkably ill-prepared. There was a flicker of interest in the problem a few years ago but it was snuffed out by the recession. The management literature on older workers is a mere molehill compared with the mountain devoted to recruiting and retaining the young”
This is reality. It is not just about ‘preparing for an ageing workforce’ (like you might for Y2K in the hope that it never happens); it’s about MANAGING an ageing workforce.
The ‘molehill’ of management literature on managing an ageing workforce compared to the ‘mountain devoted to recruiting and retaining the young’ also reflects budget allocation by most organisations. In a word: CRAZY.
I’m not sure it is as difficult as The Economist makes out. It just requires a different mindset.
dreaming of a second life
Posted by Catriona in Commentary on March 10th, 2010
Saw the iconic Kathryn Bendall in her Adelaide Fringe debut show “Kath on a Hot Tin Roof” on Sunday night. Kathryn is a friend of SageCo’s - but she’s more than that. As her favourable review in the Advertiser yesterday remarked, “she is a magnificent example to all who dream of a second life.”
Kathryn found herself retrenched four years ago at the age of 55. Defying very unhelpful comments from supposed ‘career professionals’ advising her that she was ‘dreaming’ if she thought she was employable - Kathryn reinvented herself into a stand up comic. The show is a great chuckle; I do love the barbecue story.
Faced with a somewhat enforced retirement, Kathryn has redirected her life. And as her husband Ron says, “At least stand up comedy is cheaper than golf!”
There are five more shows to catch. Quick. Hurry. This mature age icon deserves an overflowing house.
reinvention
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