In or out: job exits of older workers

Abstract

As the proportion of older workers in the labour market increases, there is a greater need to identify ways to engage and retain mature age workers. In 2011, we interviewed 24 older workers who had recently left full‐time employment in A ustralia. We found that the exit decisions of older workers are more complex than the dichotomous choice between staying and retiring. We identified three distinct decision options: retire, change jobs or take a break from the labour market. Work intensification and discrete personal or work events influenced the decision to retire or take a break from the labour market. Work dissatisfaction influenced the decision to exit the organisation but not the labour market. Our findings point towards the importance of flexibility, job redesign and supportive work practices in retaining mature age talent that might otherwise be lost to dissatisfaction and work intensification.