"The Hidden Value of an Older Workforce"

According to researchers from Concordia University, the number of old age workers in the workforce is continuing to increase. There is a stereotype that older workers are less productive and show worse performance in their job. People associate slower learning, decreased physical and mental ability, less motivation, and less productivity with older workers compared to younger workers. A lot of companies are starting to develop programs to enhance productivity in old age workers by using training plans and career development opportunities. It has been found that motivation is the most important determining factor in productivity among workers.

I think one of the most important thing employers can do to deal with old age workers is to provide the best training resources possible. It is important to make sure that all workers believe they have an equally important role in the company. I also liked the idea of using psychological theories to determine the factors that influence motivation. The socioemotional selectivity theory explains how priorities and goals might change as we get older. Family involvement and personal obligations are likely to increase with age, and workers will have less desire to be at work. To ensure motivation, it is important to make a worker’s job as exciting and fulfilling as possible. Providing new opportunities and praising workers for their achievements at work is a good way to motivate. I believe that productive training methods and motivational programs are very successful ways that companies can handle the increasing number of old age workers.

Researchers evaluated various psychological theories to look at the change in motivation that occurs as we get older. The socioemotional selectivity theory is one of these, and also the selective optimization and compensation theory, which says that older workers can become more productive if they learn to use new resources. They have found that workers respond well when they are given new tasks and responsibilities. Increased autonomy, greater opportunities to learn, and recognition for good performance and achievements were shown to increase motivation. All these factors give older workers higher self -motivation and promotes their value to the company. Implementing the right programs and training to increase motivation is the key to stopping the negative stereotypes associated with old age workers.

Concordia University. "The Hidden Value of an Older Workforce." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 Sept. 2016. Web. 13 Nov. 2016. <https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/1609281417.29.htm>