Åsa Lundqvist
Professor
Exploring the challenges and facilitators that impact the experiences of being an older female worker in the European labour market: Findings from a rapid review of literature
Author
Summary, in Swedish
Older women make a significant contribution to the labour market yet still experience
negative workplace impacts. We undertook a rapid review of literature to assess the
experiences of older female workers in the European labour market with the aim to
identify current research gaps. We discuss how current data and future research could
be utilized to improve the working lives of older women in Europe.
Electronic databases including Business Source Complete, Social Policy and Practice
and PubMED were searched. 4797 records were identified, of which 24 full-text reports were included.
Compared to men, older women were found to experience more adverse health
impacts as a result of work-related stress. Older women bear a greater share of caring
responsibilities which has a negative impact on their health. A lack of support for
menopausal symptoms in the workplace often prompted early retirement for older
female workers. Income and role disparities between men and women were identified,
with women having relatively discontinuous employment histories and lower pension
funds due to a higher burden of unpaid, domestic labour throughout their life course.
This has a cumulative effect on their income, their role and position at work, and their
ability to retire. Older women also reported experiencing workplace discrimination, a
lack of autonomy and job control, and less training and development opportunities.
Flexible working was found to be contested terrain, with it being a means to support
older women to maintain careers but also resulting in poorer career outcomes.
negative workplace impacts. We undertook a rapid review of literature to assess the
experiences of older female workers in the European labour market with the aim to
identify current research gaps. We discuss how current data and future research could
be utilized to improve the working lives of older women in Europe.
Electronic databases including Business Source Complete, Social Policy and Practice
and PubMED were searched. 4797 records were identified, of which 24 full-text reports were included.
Compared to men, older women were found to experience more adverse health
impacts as a result of work-related stress. Older women bear a greater share of caring
responsibilities which has a negative impact on their health. A lack of support for
menopausal symptoms in the workplace often prompted early retirement for older
female workers. Income and role disparities between men and women were identified,
with women having relatively discontinuous employment histories and lower pension
funds due to a higher burden of unpaid, domestic labour throughout their life course.
This has a cumulative effect on their income, their role and position at work, and their
ability to retire. Older women also reported experiencing workplace discrimination, a
lack of autonomy and job control, and less training and development opportunities.
Flexible working was found to be contested terrain, with it being a means to support
older women to maintain careers but also resulting in poorer career outcomes.
Department/s
- Sociology
- Metalund
Publishing year
2023-10-01
Language
English
Pages
18-47
Publication/Series
European Journal of Workplace Innovation
Volume
8
Issue
1
Document type
Journal article
Topic
- Sociology
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 2387-4570