When you think of workers in their fifties and older, you might imagine people nearing retirement and out of place in the modern office, with little interest in learning new tools and technologies.
Born in 1935, Masako Wakamiya is one of the world’s oldest iPhone app developers, a trailblazer in making smartphones accessible for the elderly.
(Photo: Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Work in the Era of No Retirement
Longevity is an opportunity for companies — but only if they can overcome ageism.
March 08, 2022
· Long read
Summary.
As the world’s overall population skews older, the workforce is aging as well, with more older adults working well beyond what used to be considered the typical retirement age. Older adults are the fastest-growing segment of the American workforce, but ageist attitudes about this population persist in the workplace and the job market. Contrary to common assumptions, older workers do not cost more than younger workers and are not technology averse; their longevity actually brings numerous benefits to the workplace. By recognizing older workers’ value and changing models of upskilling and learning, companies can create a thriving five-generation workforce.