Interests and Concerns of Older Workers: New Challenges for the Workplace

Against a backdrop of a looming labor shortage and changing demographics, this study explored what is important to older workers. Job attitudes, preferences, and concerns were investigated through a survey of employees from a dozen U.S. based organizations. Findings from 415 older workers (older than 45) and 663 younger workers (age 30 and younger) suggested that both groups of employees care about work they do, the relationship they have with their supervisor, and the organization's policies and practices around rewards, fairness, and flexibility. Compared to younger workers, however, older workers care more about schedule and task control, as well as task variety and challenge. They are less concerned with the social aspects of work.