This course will explore the variety and complexity of issues related to a "graying workforce." The course will discuss life-span issues related to workforce participation, as the mean age of our population rises and ideas regarding retirement are changing. Topics will focus on research and theories related to the relationships between employee age and the following factors: job performance and the role of expertise; voluntary and involuntary workplace behavior (absenteeism, tardiness, turnover, timing of retirement); skill obsolescence and training barriers; career work-life extension, work motivation factors (organizational commitment, job satisfaction, intrinsic/extrinsic incentives), and diversity needs. Expanding retirement and post-retirement options will be discussed.

Course Rationale

This course is intended to acquaint gerontology students with the recent literature regarding an aging workforce. As the mean age of our working population gradually increases and more older adults, especially women and minorities, decide to enter and/or re-enter the workforce in later life for various reasons, it is imperative that professionals in various fields of gerontology be aware and sensitive to the needs of this changing workforce population. On a personal level, each individual needs to understand life-span issues related to continued workforce participation as he/she ages.
 

Course Objectives

To increase students' understanding of issues related to workforce participation in mid- and later life;

2. To sensitize students to the range of beliefs about the capabilities of older workers; to become aware of how congruities and discrepancies between personal reality and expectations based on beliefs potentially affect older workers' workforce participation;

3. To strengthen students' awareness of the importance for updating of social and/or organizational policy in response to an aging workforce (e.g., interventions in skill training);

4. To familiarize students with current published research and theories dealing with career work-life extension and other older worker issues;

5. To develop students' ability to reflect critically upon scholarly articles and media coverage of aging and workforce participation; and

6. To enable students to logically think about the costs and benefits of workforce participation across the life span, both for the individual and for society as a whole.
 

Required Class Text

    Schaie, K. W. & Schooler, C. (Eds.) (1997). Impact of work on older adults.

New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company [ISBN: 0-8261-9920-8].

**Course readings (articles) will be on reserve in the library for students to photocopy.
 

Course Requirements and Evaluation

By design, this course is organized as a reading seminar. In order that this format work as a meaningful learning experience, it is crucial that students carefully read the assignments and come to class ready to participate.
 

1. CLASS PARTICIPATION Attend all classes in their entirety, complete all assignments punctually, and contribute actively in class and group discussions (10% of final grade)

2. INTERVIEW Conduct a semi-structured interview with an older worker (i. e., age 40+)

(40% of final grade):

a.    collect demographic information;

b.    collect information during the interview regarding perceptions and attitudes toward being an older worker;

c.    submit a transcript of the interview, an audiotape of the interview, and a 2 to 3 page summary regarding issues/themes         raised during the interview;

d. and do a class presentation (15+ minutes) regarding interview findings.

3. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - various topics (15% of final grade)

4. TAKE-HOME FINAL (35% of final grade)
 

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

1         9/2/99     What is Industrial Gerontology?

CLASS ASSIGNMENT #1

As discussed in class, what is the legal definition of an "older worker?" In your opinion, is this an appropriate beginning age designation for this "protected class" of workers in light of changing average life expectancies and other aging-related factors? Yes or no and explain. 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

2             9/9/99     Age and Job Performance
 

    Schooler, Caplan & Oates (1997). Aging and work. In Schaie & Schooler (Eds.), Impact of work on older adults. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company [TEXT]

    Hansson, R. O., DeKoekkoek, P. D., Neece, W.M., & Patterson, D. W. (1997). Successful aging at work: Annual review, 1992-1996: The older worker and transitions to retirement. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 51(2), 202-233.

    Birdi, K., Pennington, J., & Zapf, D. (1997). Ageing and errors in computer-based work: An observational field study. Journal of Occupational & Organizational Psychology, 70(1), 35-47.

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

3             9/16/99 Age and Training Issues

    Echt, K. V., Morrell, R. W., & Park, D. C. (1998). Effects of age and training formats on basic computer skill acquisition in older adults. Educational Gerontology, 24(1), 3-25.

    Rix, S. E. (1996). Investing in the future: What role for older worker training? In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 304-323). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Barnow, B. S. (1996). The economics of occupational labor shortages. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 349-373). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

4             9/23/99 Generativity Club Meeting: Internship Experiences

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

5             9/30/99 Human Factors Issues
 

    Faar, Tesluk, & Klein (1997). Organizational structure of the workplace and the older workers. In Schaie & Schooler (Eds.), Impact of work on older adults. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company [TEXT]

    Warr (1997). Age, work, and mental health. In Schaie & Schooler (Eds.), Impact of work on older adults. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company [TEXT]

    Charness, N. & Bosman, E. A. (1990). Human factors and design for older adults. . In Birren & Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (pp. 446-460). New York, NY: Academic Press.
 

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

6             10/7/99 Age Bias and Discrimination
 
    Perry, E.L., Kulik, C. T., & Bourhis, A. C. (1996). Moderating effects of personal and contextual factors in age discrimination. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81(6), 628-647.

    Sandell, S. H. & Rosenblum, M. (1996). Age discrimination in employment: Economic and legal perspectives. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 194-212). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Finkelstein, L. M., Burke, M. J., & Raju, M. S. (1995). Age discrimination in simulated employment contexts: An integrative analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 80(6), 652-663.

    Krain, M. A. (1995). Policy implications for a society aging well: Employment, retirement, education, & leisure policies for the 21st century. American Behavioral Scientist, 39(2), 131-51.

CLASS ASSIGNMENT #2

In your opinion, should employers make workplace design changes to support late-life workforce participation among qualified older workers (i.e., career work-life extension)? Why or why not? Is it fair to younger workers? 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

7             10/14/99 Employment Testing/Assessment Issues

    Sterns, A. A., Sterns, H. L., & Hollis, L. A. (1996). The productivity and functional limitations of older adult workers. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 276-303). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Finkelstein, L. M. & Burke, M. J. (1998). Age stereotyping at work: The role of rater and contextual factors on evaluations of job applicants. Journal of General Psychology, 125(4), 317-345.
 

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

8             10/21/99 Workplace Attendance Issues and Options

    Rife, J. C. & First, R. J. (1989). Discouraged older workers: An exploratory study. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 29(3), 195-203.

    Rife, J.C. (1998). Use of life review techniques to assist older workers in coping with job loss and depression. Clinical Gerontologist, 20(1), 75-79.

    Krecker, M. L. (1994). Work careers and organizational careers: The effects of age and tenure on worker attachment to the employment relationship. Work & Occupations, 21(3), 251-283.

CLASS ASSIGNMENT #3

Based on what we have discussed in class, explain how employment testing/assessment procedures can be made more "age sensitive." How could you assess if these "age sensitivity" interventions really work and do not decrease the validity of the testing/assessment process? 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.
 

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

9             10/28/99 Diversity in an Aging Workforce
 

    O'Grady-LeShane, R. (1996). Older women workers. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 103-109). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Kramer, B. J., & Kipnis, S. (1995). Eldercare and work-role conflict: Toward an understanding of gender differences in caregiver burden. The Gerontologist, 35, 340-347.

    Ford, C. A. & Donis, F. J. (1996). The relationship between age and gender in workers' attitudes toward sexual harassment. Journal of Psychology, 130(6), 627-633.

    Abraham, J. D. & Hansson, R. O. (1996). Gender differences in the usefulness of goal-directed coping for middle-aged and older workers. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 26(8), 657-669.

CLASS ASSIGNMENT #4

Do you feel the "sandwich generation" phenomenon has a greater impact on caregiving men or women? Or are both men and women affected equally? Use personal observations to support your argument. 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

10           11/4/99 Older Worker Employment Policy
 

    Leavitt, T. (1996). Labor force characteristics of older Americans. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 15-56). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Kingson, E. R. (1996). Demographic trends and the future of older workers. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 57-80). Westport, CT: Greenwood.

    Mutschler, P. H. (1996). Early retirement incentive programs (ERIPs): Mechanisms for encouraging early retirement. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 182-193). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Crown, W. H. (1996). The political context of older worker employment policy. . In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 391-404). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
 

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

11         11/11/99 Career Work-Life Extension

    Sorensen (1997). Career trajectories and the older worker. In Schaie & Schooler (Eds.), Impact of work on older adults. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company [TEXT]

    Barth, M. C., McNaught, W., & Rizzi, P. (1996). The costs and benefits of older workers. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 324-348). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Whaples, R. M. & Longino, C. F., Jr. (1996). Social gerontological models of retirement and employment of older persons. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 249-261). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Hall, D. T. & Mirvis, P. H. (1995). The new career contract: Developing the whole person at midlife and beyond. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 47(3), 269-289.

CLASS ASSIGNMENT #5

How can employers support career work-life extension in the workplace? Do these support factors differ by gender, racial, and/or ethnic characteristics of older workers? Explain. 1+ double-spaced and typed pages. Due next class.

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

12            11/18/99 Retirement and Post-Retirement Options

    Usui (1997). Gradual retirement: Japanese strategies for older workers. In Schaie & Schooler (Eds.), Impact of work on older adults. New York, NY: Springer [TEXT]

    Ekerdt (1997). Workplace norms for the timing of retirement. In Schaie & Schooler (Eds.), Impact of work on older adults. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company [TEXT]

    Dorsey, S. & Turner, J. A. (1996). Social security, pensions, disability, and retirement: An international perspective. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 110-127). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

    Ekerdt, D. J. & DeViney, S. (1993). Evidence for a preretirement process among older male workers. Journals of Gerontology, 48(2), S35-S43.

    Leonesio, M. V. (1996). Economic model of work-leisure choice. In Crown, W. H. (Ed.), Handbook on employment and the elderly (pp. 213-248). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
 

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

13            11/25/99 No class - Thanksgiving Holiday

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

14            12/2/99 Wrap-up Class Discussion; Give out Final Take-home Exam

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

15            12/9/99 Class Presentations; Final Projects due

Week     Date     Class Topic/Activity

16            12/16/99 Take-home Final due by 5pm (Drop off at Room S-307 E)