NZ ‘can do better’ to support older workers

Research exploring the employment experiences of older New Zealanders has been launched by University of Auckland's Dr Deepika Jindal.

A professional teaching fellow in the Business School, Jindal hopes her study will identify challenges facing older workers and give organisations insights into changes they can make to better support them.

In the 1990s, about five percent of people aged 65 and over were in paid employment, but by 2024 this had increased five-fold to about 26 percent, she says.

“Some older people are driven by financial necessity, but others find meaning and social connection through work.

“Some have said they want to retire, but feel life would be empty without work,” Jindal says.

She is seeking people aged 65 and over, who are working or would like to work, for interviews about their experiences with employment.

Although it’s illegal to discriminate against workers based on their age, gender or ethnicity, ageism can be a barrier to employment for older people.

Further layers of disadvantage can be experienced by older women and people from different ethnic backgrounds, she says.

During restructuring, older people face higher risks of job losses, says Jindal.

“People contribute a great deal over their careers, often going above and beyond to add value to organisations.

"Discarding all that purely on the basis of age can feel very transactional. I think we can do better.”

Working is vital for people's physical, mental and cognitive well-being, she says.

“There's a strong business case as well, because when people reach 65, they've accumulated so much wisdom and expertise, and often have extensive networks.”

Society also benefits when older people can take part in work, says Jindal, whose study is backed by the University’s Centre for Co-Created Ageing Research.

In the OECD, the ratio of people aged 65 and over to workers aged between 18 and 65 increased from 19 percent in 1980 to 31 percent in 2023. That ratio is projected to rise to 52 percent by 2060, with “profound implications” for pension systems, the workforce and the economy, she says.

“As the number of older people in the population grows, their participation in work becomes increasingly important for the country’s long-term sustainability.”

Many older people prefer part-time, flexible or casual work that accommodates changing energy levels and health needs, Jindal says.

Intergenerational mentoring programmes that enable older people to share their knowledge and learn from younger employees can help shape more age-inclusive workplaces, she says.

New technologies can pose challenges for some older people, so targeted opportunities that help them upskill will be important, says Jindal.

She has been passionate about job and career crafting for many years and has led numerous workshops on the topic.

Career crafting involves task crafting – consciously selecting different tasks that might lead to career advancement or a change of career.

Relationship crafting also shapes people’s career paths. Jindal says it’s important to build connections within and outside our usual work sphere, attending events and conferences to forge new professional relationships.

Cognitive crafting is the third strand of career crafting. This involves examining our purpose in work.

While work gives people a sense of identity, it’s vital their identity doesn’t become too fixed to a particular job, she says.

“If people don't tie their identity to a role, but to a purpose, then it becomes easier to find meaningful work.”

People aged 65 and over who are based anywhere in New Zealand can take part in the study, which involves a 30 to 45-minute video call.

Jindal says participants often benefit from the opportunity to reflect on their sense of purpose.

“They also get the chance to have their voices heard by the wider community.”

She would love to see New Zealand set an international example in developing inclusive approaches to an ageing workforce.

“We need to consider how we take care of our older population – and that’s not just by having more retirement homes.

“It's about how people stay meaningfully employed.

“It would be wonderful to see our organisations be more creative in finding new ways to offer opportunities for older people.”

Jindal is seeking people aged over 65, who are working or looking for work, to take part research on older people's experiences of work. For information, email d.jindal@auckland.ac.nz.