Working beyond 60. Key policies and practices in Europe

Abstract:

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the growing importance of working beyond the age of sixty, plus a comparative discussion of new policies in many EU Member States and company best practices.

The work is organised in four parts. The first part focuses on two key issues: first, the major constraints which have engendered the challenges we face; and second, recent changes providing answers to some of these challenges and which make a longer and more flexible work-life conceivable. Chapter one summarises the demographic prospects. Chapter two examines the changes in social patterns and looks at the social opportunities. Chapter three considers the economic constraints, pension and welfare reforms. The fourth chapter explores change and opportunity in employment and work environment.

Part two deals with public policies and company measures with the aim of increasing the participation of workers beyond the age of sixty. Chapter five examines the place of part-time work in work-life extension. Chapter six considers the important roles of supranational organisations and of the social partners. Chapter seven examines recent public policy in two groups of selected European countries: those with global policies, and those with partial policies. The eighth chapter presents analysis of recent company measures and best practice in selected European firms: working time reduction, career planning, continuing training, ergonomics, seniority wages, pension regulations, anti-age discrimination legislation and codes of practice.

Part three addresses the need for fairness, diversity and flexibility. Chapter nine analyses the need for diversity, exploring the importance of fairness before moving on to analyse the need for flexibility and to discuss the importance of choice.

The fourth and final part looks at key policies and recommendations. It is comprised of one chapter, chapter ten, which is divided into three sections. Section one presents a comparative country synthesis and the second examines key policies for working beyond sixty and main recommendations. The third section considers additional policies to face the overall demographic challenge.

The work will interest policy makers, employers, trade unions and anyone with an interest in this important policy area.

Geneviève Reday-Mulvey is a social economist and head of the research programme 'The Four Pillars' at the Geneva Association, Geneva, Switzerland.