Aging in the Workplace
There is good evidence that myths and stereotypes of older people may leave employers unprepared for new realities. For essential attributes of productivity, no empirical research to date links age and job performance. In a 1998 study examining 360 adult ages 20 to 75 on their ability to perform computer-based tasks, younger participants were faster but no more accurate in their output. Cognitive processing speed, which declines with age, is regarded as a hallmark of productivity, yet a direct association between aging and reduced productivity is unproven. The state of current research investigating productivity among older workers suggests that given the right environment and management styles, older workers can be just as productive and valuable as younger workers - perhaps even more so. The retention of older workers will most likely be crucial in maintaining a competitive edge in the workplace in the current and coming decades. Some 32 million Americans are 65 and older, and that figure will double by 2030. In the same year, nearly one-third of the total U.S. population will be 55 or older, raising the median age from
Worse, many believe it is justified. Older Americans also want more income to pay for leisure activities such as travel and hobbies. Another common age-related loss is sensory deterioration, such as vision, hearing and balance. Research on the relationship between age and productivity related to computer use has also been explored. For every 10 percent increase in the Social Security excempt income limit there is a 5 percent increased probability of retirees reentering the labor market. Another study compared the productivity of one group of workers performing a speed-oriented task (sewing machine operators) with a group performing a skill-oriented task (quality control examiners). On this basis, we might expect an age-related decline in job performance. Training can slow but not stop the aging process. As retirees age, their chances of falling below the poverty line increase substantially. 1 sick days a year, and they account for only 9. There is no question that cognitive functions such as memory, reasoning, attentiveness and speed of processing decline with age. Debunking myths about older workers One major reason businesses have not embraced the retention and employment of older workers stems from myths and stereotypes unsupported by documented studies. Veteran workers may change how they perform tasks to maintain high-performance results. For instance, older workers may not know of community-based training for jobs.
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