Working and ageing - Cedefop - Europa
Working and ageing - Cedefop - Europa
Working and ageing - Cedefop - Europa
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158<br />
<strong>Working</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>ageing</strong><br />
Guidance <strong>and</strong> counselling for mature learners<br />
emphasises opportunities for personal contribution, enjoyment <strong>and</strong> growth,<br />
with pay <strong>and</strong> holidays less important. The list in order of priority consists of:<br />
comprehensive retirement package, comprehensive benefits package, work<br />
enabling the individual to learn <strong>and</strong> grow, work that is personally stimulating,<br />
workplace that is enjoyable, flexible work schedule, work that is worthwhile to<br />
society, 10% more in total compensation, flexible workplace, <strong>and</strong> two weeksʼ<br />
additional paid vacation. This American publication raises issues <strong>and</strong><br />
challenges which are internationally applicable.<br />
Flexible, individualised career paths, interest, <strong>and</strong> being valued are<br />
important. Flynnʼs (2010) analysis of literature concludes that older workers<br />
find that autonomy is important; workers who have this in their working lives<br />
can decide whether <strong>and</strong> when they continue to work or retire as compared to<br />
those forced to stay in working or to retire early (p. 314). There are positive<br />
<strong>and</strong> negative influences for when people retire, they may retire early because<br />
of financial incentives, such as advantageous pension schemes, or because<br />
of home commitments, or not feeling valued at work. Income, qualifications<br />
<strong>and</strong> job status are also influential. (p. 317). Older workers with high levels of<br />
job autonomy, secure pensions, positive experiences in job transitions can<br />
choose how they retire, while workers with insecurity in work, low wages, lack<br />
of occupational pension entitlements may have to work longer. If workers have<br />
the opportunity for flexibility, to reduce workload, feel valued <strong>and</strong> make a<br />
phased transition, they can be more inclined to continue working; while,<br />
workers feeling discrimination or being undervalued tend to leave early (2010,<br />
p.319).<br />
Older workers may have embarked upon their working lives with<br />
expectations of long-term employment in one or few workplaces. They now<br />
face rapid changes in work status, redundancy, unemployment, geographic<br />
moves, career shifts <strong>and</strong> financial difficulties (Avedon, 1995). Counselling,<br />
therefore, could provide assistance <strong>and</strong> support for individual workers <strong>and</strong> at<br />
an organisational level, contribute to assessments to bring about improved<br />
approaches to health <strong>and</strong> work conditions <strong>and</strong> job dem<strong>and</strong>s (Jenschke, 1999).<br />
Guidance for skill development, updating technological skills, education <strong>and</strong><br />
training <strong>and</strong> career planning provides opportunities for transition <strong>and</strong><br />
adjustment. Jenschke (1999, p. 12) argues that it should be a whole life,<br />
continuous process. Healthy <strong>and</strong> happier people are in a stronger position to<br />
contribute to society, to remain independent longer <strong>and</strong> to live longer. This<br />
personal aspect is recognised as important, albeit within a wider context of<br />
national <strong>and</strong> international economic <strong>and</strong> financial difficulties.