Extract

Introduction

The workforce is aging, and with these changes come policy decisions about how to effectively manage the challenges and opportunities associated with this workforce trend. Extending work lives can have societal and organizational benefits, such as sustaining retirement systems. Plus, older workers provide some workforce benefits, such as higher levels of job satisfaction and performance in certain domains (e.g., safety and citizenship behaviors; Ng & Feldman, 2008, 2010).

The concept of workability—a person’s ability to meet the requirements of their job—provides a valuable lens to help policy-makers and employers address issues related to extending careers and fostering greater workforce participation. The following sections outline the age-related changes experienced by individuals that may affect their workability, why workability is important, and an organization’s role in promoting and hindering workability. We conclude by outlining a future research agenda and providing policy recommendations to promote workability.

The concept of workability—a person’s ability to meet the requirements of their job—provides a valuable lens to help policy-makers and employers address issues related to extending careers and fostering greater workforce participation.

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