Walker, Alan

This booklet outlines the key elements of good practice in managing an ageing workforce. It draws upon the results of the project, Combating Age Barriers in Employment, which emphasised measures for the retention, retraining and reintegration of workers in the second half of their working life. It is intended to act as a guide for social partners, policy makers and managers, particularly those involved in job recruitment and training.

The positive management of an ageing workforce presents a new, if necessary, challenge to governments, employers and to workers themselves in the European Union. This report provides illustration and analysis of more than 150 initiatives in favour of the retention, retraining and reintegration of older workers. It is intended as a practical tool for all those concerned with developing practice or supportive policies to combat age barriers in employment.

The ageing of the EU population has implications for the sustainability of pensions, economic growth and the future labour supply. This report reviews case studies from a range of organisations across the EU that have instituted good practice in recruiting, supporting and retaining older workers. By presenting examples of good practice, it aims to assist all those with responsibilities for employment in ensuring that age in the workplace is managed productively.

This report documents the rationale for changing attitudes to older workers, and assesses initiatives, in both public and private sectors, to combat age barriers in employment.

The impact of an ageing population on employment and the labour market is increasingly recognised as one of the most pressing issues confronting European societies. This summary charts the initiatives being taken to reverse trends for early retirement and exit from the labour market towards retention, reintegration and retraining of older workers. The lessons from and recommendations for action are directly and urgently relevant to governments, social partners and all in the ageing workforce.

This working paper consists of examples of good practice in combating age barriers in employment in a variety of European countries. Its primary intention is to inform the debate in Europe about age and employment by providing practical examples of how 'different' private and public organisations have set about trying to minimise the impact of age barriers in job recruitment and training.