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
Although some studies now show that improved ergonomic designs in the workplace can ease problems accompanying decreased muscular strength, the most that can be offered at this time are proactive health and strength measures to delay the onset of decreased productivity. Many physical changes associated with aging can affect productivity. Those that have been investigated include decreased cardiorespiratory functioning, reduced muscle strength and sensory deterioration. A decrease in cardiorespiratory functioning often leads to increased fatigue, according to a 1995 study. This can reduce productivity in older workers, who may be relegated to more physically demanding tasks if they lack technical skills for more cognitive tasks. 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. A 1999 report by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) addressed some common myths about people over age 50: Older workers have poorer health than younger workers, decreased physical and mental capacity and less stamina. They have higher injury rates, lost time and higher insurance and medical costs. They are rigid and won't learn new skills. They aren't worth retraining. Although real differences are apparent in how and how fast older and younger workers learn, Charness noted that sometimes accumulated knowledge in older workers compensates for declines in cognitive efficiency. This is true, for instance, when the task requires retrieving facts instead of performing computations. Access to acquired knowledge in long-term memory can also compensate for deficits in short-term memory. "A knowledgeable older adult will outperform a computationally swift but less knowledgeable young adult," Charness argued.
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Approximate Word count = 3108
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)
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