This article examines current demographic data on the aging of the workforce and the impact that this aging trend will have on public sector retirement systems, age discrimination laws, and training and development programs. It also discusses the issue of "plateaued" employees and explores potential solutions for managing an aging workforce using traditional personnel processes. Future areas for further research are suggested.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Age Discriminationin Employment Act (ADEA) (1987). Pub. L. 99-592, Sec 2 (c) (1), effective January 1, 1987.
2.
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990). Pub L. 101-366, 104 Stat. 327.
3.
Archer, M. and B. Lea (1990). "Planning: Canada Housing and Mortgage Surmounts Plateauing." Personnel Journal69: 141-142.
4.
Arvey, R., Miller, H., Gould, R. and Burch, P. (1987). "Interview Validity for Selecting Sales Clerks ." Personnel Psychology40: 1-12.
5.
Barabba, V. (1981) "Demographic Change and the Public Workforce." The Changing Character of the Public Workforce. Washington, D. C.: Office of Personnel Management.
6.
Bartwick, J. (1988). Plateauing Trap: How to Avoid it in Your Career and Your Life. New York. Bantam Books.
7.
Chanick, R. (1992). "Career Growth for Baby Boomers." Personnel Journal71: 40-44.
8.
Cleveland, J. and Landy, F. (1983). "The Effects of Person and Job Stereotypes on Two Personnel Decisions." Journal of Applied Psychology68: 609-619.
9.
Congressional Research Service (1987). Report to the Committee on Ways and Means, U. S. House of Representatives. "Retirement Income for an Aging Population." Washington, D C.: U S. Government Printing Office.
10.
Congressional Research Service (1992). Report to the Select Committee on Aging, U. S. House of Representatives. "Older Workers in the Labor Market " Washington, D. C.: U. S. Government Printing Office.
11.
Cox, T., Jr. and S. Nkomo (1992). "Candidate Age as a Factor in Promotability Ratings ." Public Personnel Management21: 197-210.
12.
Craft, J.Doctors, S.Shkop, Y. and Benecki, T. (1979). "Simulated Management Perceptions, Hiring Decisions and Age." Aging and Work2: 95-102.
13.
Eliopoulos, C. (1989). "Aiding Employees With Preretirement Planning ." Health Care Supervisor7 : 41-51.
14.
Faley, R.H., L.S. Kleiman and M.L. Lengnick-Hall (1984). "Age Discrimination and Personnel Psychology: A Review and Synthesis of the Legal Literature with Implications for Future Research." Personnel Psychology37:327-350.
15.
Federal Civilian Employment (1991). "A Profile of the Typical Federal Civilian Non-Postal Employee "Washington, D.C.: Office of Personnel Management (September):78.
16.
Ghorpade, J. (1988). Job Analysis, A Handbook for the Human Resource Director. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall.
17.
Haefner, J. (1977). "Race, Age, Sex and Competence as Factors in Employer Selection of the Disadvantaged." Journal of Applied Psychology62: 199-202.
18.
Hagen, R.P. (1983). "Older Workers: How to Utilize this Valuable Resource " Supervisory Management38: 2-9.
19.
Johnston, W. (1988). Civil Service 2000. Washington, D C. U S. Government Printing Office and the Hudson Institute.
20.
Johnston, W. (1987). Workforce 2000: Work and Workers for the 21st Century Indianapolis, Indiana. Hudson Institute.
21.
Kaye, B. (1989) "Are Plateaued Performers Productive?" Personnel Journal68: 57-65.
22.
Lewis, G. (1990). "Turnover and the Quiet Crisis in Federal Civil Service " Unpublished paper.
23.
McEvoy, G. and W. Cascio (1989). "Cumulative Evidence of the Relationship Between Employee Age and Job Performance." Journal of Applied Psychology74: 11-17.
24.
Montana, P. (1986). "Preretirement Planning: How Corporations Help " Personnel Admmistrator31 : 121-128.
25.
Rosen, B. and Jerdee, T. (1976b). "The Influence of Age Stereotypes on Managerial Decisions " Journal of Applied Psychology61: 428-432.
26.
( 1976a). "The Nature of Job-Related Age Stereotypes." Journal of Applied Psychology61: 178-183.
27.
Siegel, S. and B. Rees (1992). "Preparing the Public Employee for Retirement ." Public Personnel Management71: 89-100
28.
Singer, M.S. and C. Sewell (1989) "Applicant Age and Selection Interview Decisions: Effect of Information Exposure on Age Discrimmation in Personnel Selection ." Personnel Psychology42: 135-154
29.
Staffing Digest (1991a). "Baby Boomers Head for Retirement." Office of Personnel Management (April). 1,7.
30.
( 1991c) "If It's Wednesday, It Must Be Home" Office of Personnel Management. (December): 7.
31.
( 1991b) "Quick Retirement A Myth." Office of Personnel Management. (April): 5.
32.
( 1990). "Supply of U. S Scientists and Engineers Declines." Office of Personnel Management. (Spring): 1-2.
33.
Stanley, P. (1992). "Retraining Older Workers." Workforce17: 29-33.
34.
Stems, H. and Russell, P. (1988). "Trairung the Older Worker." U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (1988) Preparing Corporations and Labor to Meet the Needs of an Aging Society, Final ReportWashington, D. C.: U. S Government Printing Office (May).
35.
U. S. General Accounting Office (USGAO) (1990 b) Employee Benefits Extent of Companies' Retiree Health Coverage . Washington, D. C.. U. S. General Accounting Office, (March).
36.
U. S. General Accounting Office (USGAO) (1993 ). Federal Personnel Employment Policy Challenges Created by an Aging Workforce. Washington, D. CU. S General Accounting Office, (September).
37.
U. S. General Accounting Office (USGAO) (1986 ) Retirement Before Age 65, Trends, Costs, and National Issues . Washington, D. C.U.S. General Accounting Office (July).
38.
U. S. General Accounting Office (USGAO) (1990 a). The Public Service Issues Affecting Its Quality, Effectiveness, Integrity, and Stewardship. Washington D C.: U. S General Accounting Office (September).
39.
U. S. Merit Systems Protection Board (USMSPB) ( 1993). Evolving Workforce Demographics. Federal Agency Action and ReactionWashington D. C. U. S. Merit Systems Protection Board (November).
40.
U S Merit Systems Protection Board (USMSPB) ( 1990). Why Are Employees Leaving the Federal Government?Washington D. C.: U. S. Merit Systems Protection Board (May)
41.
Waldman, D. and Avolio, B. (1986). "A Meta-Analysis of Age Differences in Job Performance ." Journal of Applied Psychology71: 33-38.
