The Ageing Population: A qualitative study into the factors surrounding the retirement decisions of older workers and whether workplace employment policies are supporting employability at an older age

Meehan, Grace (2020) The Ageing Population: A qualitative study into the factors surrounding the retirement decisions of older workers and whether workplace employment policies are supporting employability at an older age. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate what factors push a person to retire and what factors discourage retirement decisions to allow us to make an informed assessment on the needs of older workers and whether employment policies are accommodating these needs.

Literature: Literature suggests that the factors which push someone to retire are health and family commitments and the factors that discourage retirement are finances and attachment to career identity. However, further research outlines that the extent to which the organisation supports working at an older age can have an influence on retirement decisions.

Methodology: Exploratory qualitative based research was used to conduct this study. 9 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Irish males and females, aged between 50-63 in employment in Irish organisations both in the public and private sector. Thematic analysis was used to generate findings.

Findings: Following the thematic style of analysis, the findings suggested that the reasons why people chose to retire are consistent with the literature with only 2 minor new themes emerging following the qualitative research which were; spousal retirement decisions and having a lack of activities post retirement. However, the findings do show that Irish organisations are not proactive in preparing individuals for retirement or offering support to allow older workers to continue working past retirement.

Contribution to the literature: The researcher has identified a lack of knowledge and literature surrounding the push and pull factors that Irish citizens consider when retiring. The literature available from other countries suggest that retirement decisions can be influenced by government policy and socio-economic factors therefore this research conducted in Ireland is necessary to add to the geographic nature of the literature.

Conclusion: Employers are not yet ready to offer alternative working arrangements to sustain an older workforce, despite the participants outlining that they would choose to work past retirement if their organisation allowed them to do so. Employers are not fostering an age supportive workplace or offering incentives to working longer.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management > Equal Opportunity in Employment H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Issues of Labour and Work > Older Workers
Depositing User:	Dan English
Date Deposited:	02 Feb 2021 11:27
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2021 11:27
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/4614

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