Global Insights on Retaining Workers Ages 45-Plus
The advent and long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have generated unprecedented and rapid change to workforce dynamics around the world. Implications and expectations for employees and employers continue to evolve as the global workforce navigates and establishes new workplace norms amid the ongoing pandemic. Now more than ever, workers across generations, particularly older workers, value flexibility and seek jobs that provide suitably accommodating work policies. The headwinds against returning to pre-pandemic norms are strong; if employers are to retain satisfied employees, they must understand the evolving perceptions, expectations, and motivations around work in the age of COVID-19.
In partnership with The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), AARP conducted a large-scale Global Employee Survey from June 1 through July 15, 2022, which included two modules: Employee Retention (Module I) and Worker Transitions (Module II).
This brief highlights key findings from Module I and explores the expectations, motivations, and outcomes of older workers[1] as they navigate employment. Understanding the experiences and needs of older workers is crucial to building and maintaining a healthy global workforce.
A total sample of 12,158 workers[2] ages 25 and older was collected from twelve countries[3] which are categorized into the five regions below:
- East Asia/Pacific: Australia, Japan, South Korea
- North America: Canada, the United States
- Northern/Western Europe: Finland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom
- South America: Brazil
- Southern Europe: Italy, Spain
[1] Data are analyzed by age and region. Respondents were divided into two age groups: 25 to 44 and 45-plus. While respondents ages 45-plus completed Modules I and II, those ages 25 to 44 completed only Module I. Throughout this issue brief, workers ages 25 to 44 are referred to as “younger workers,” while those ages 45-plus are referred to as “older workers.”
[2] Working full-time, part-time, or not currently working but looking for work (Workers ages 25-44, n=5,607; Workers ages 45-plus, n=6,551)
[3] Sample sizes for each country: Australia n=1,005; Japan n=1,018; South Korea n=1,008; Canada n=1,011; United States n=1,008; Finland n=1,009; France n=1,014; Germany n=1,011; United Kingdom n=1,006; Brazil n=1,040; Italy n=1,022; Spain n= 1,006