Older and younger workers: the equalling effects of health

Abstract

Older and younger workers, the equalling effects of health Abstract Purpose:The paper considers the statistical evidence on the effects that ill health has on labour market participation and opportunities for younger and older workers in the East Midlands. Design/methodology/approach:A statistical analysis of LFS data was undertaken to demonstrate that health issues affect older and younger workers alike. This has an equalling effect on labour market opportunities, which should reduce any potential for intergenerational conflict within the workforce. Findings:Although health problems that limit activities and affect the amount and kind of work an individual can undertake increase with age, there are high levels of ill health of these kinds within all age groups, including the youngest workers. Research limitations/implications:The regional statistical analysis can only provide indications, and further research is required to differentiate which groups of younger and older workers suffer from which types of illnesses as this has direct implications for their employment. Practical implications:A more direct consideration of health in employment, education and training policy is required to enable the development of healthy and long-term working lives that benefit individuals and the economy. Social implications:The consideration of the effects of health issues on the labour market should lead to a reconsideration of the rhetoric, and the reality of intergenerational conflict. There might be less reason for such competition than is generally perceived. Originality/value:The paper considers intergenerational conflict in a labour market context and suggests that health issues have an equalising effect for the relative positions of older and younger workers.

Employers’ use of older workers in the recession

“…McNair (2006) suggested that the labour market for older workers was distinct from the labour market for those younger than 50, highlighting that older workers were not always appreciated. In the current tight labour market characterised by the recession issues such as flexibility, skill shortages and health concerns have levelled the playing field between older and younger workers (Beck and Quinn, 2012). Overall, labour market data indicates that older workers are in a comparatively strong position in the current recession.…”

The casualties of transition: the health impact of NEET status and some approaches to managing it

“…Health conditions are often acquired with age, and we would expect older workers to be more at risk than the young workforce. This is broadly true, but nonetheless there are substantive levels of ill health among young people (Beck & Quinn, 2012;Levin, Walsh & McCartney, 2014). McLean et al (2014) found that socioeconomic inequality was associated with multimorbidity not just in older people, but from early adulthood onwards.…”

“…Friis, Wittchen, Pfister and Lieb (2002) identified family, education and work as key domains for the prevention of depression. Given the evidence that the health impacts of youth unemployment can be serious and enduring, it follows that work and learning for NEET young people must be of particular interest as a target for primary prevention (Allen, Hetrick, Simmons & Hickie, 2007;Beck & Quinn, 2012;Monroe & Harkness, 2005). For Patton et al (2016), NEET rates represent a headline indicator of adolescent health status.…”