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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

Raghuraman, Shruti ; Reh, Susan ; Lundqvist, Åsa LU ; Jeanes, Emma LU ; Trigg, Laura and Tischler, Victoria (2023) In European Journal of Workplace Innovation 8(1). p.18-47
Abstract (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... (More)
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. (Less)
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publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
European Journal of Workplace Innovation
volume
8
issue
1
pages
18 - 47
ISSN
2387-4570
DOI
10.46364/ejwi.v8i1.1129
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
d4d90632-c4d1-4022-a66e-0d3b0b0c0530
date added to LUP
2023-11-04 11:53:02
date last changed
2023-11-06 10:54:17
@article{d4d90632-c4d1-4022-a66e-0d3b0b0c0530,
  abstract     = {{Older women make a significant contribution to the labour market yet still experience<br/>negative workplace impacts. We undertook a rapid review of literature to assess the<br/>experiences of older female workers in the European labour market with the aim to<br/>identify current research gaps. We discuss how current data and future research could<br/>be utilized to improve the working lives of older women in Europe.<br/>Electronic databases including Business Source Complete, Social Policy and Practice<br/>and PubMED were searched. 4797 records were identified, of which 24 full-text reports were included.<br/>Compared to men, older women were found to experience more adverse health<br/>impacts as a result of work-related stress. Older women bear a greater share of caring<br/>responsibilities which has a negative impact on their health. A lack of support for<br/>menopausal symptoms in the workplace often prompted early retirement for older<br/>female workers. Income and role disparities between men and women were identified,<br/>with women having relatively discontinuous employment histories and lower pension<br/>funds due to a higher burden of unpaid, domestic labour throughout their life course.<br/>This has a cumulative effect on their income, their role and position at work, and their<br/>ability to retire. Older women also reported experiencing workplace discrimination, a<br/>lack of autonomy and job control, and less training and development opportunities.<br/>Flexible working was found to be contested terrain, with it being a means to support<br/>older women to maintain careers but also resulting in poorer career outcomes.}},
  author       = {{Raghuraman, Shruti and Reh, Susan and Lundqvist, Åsa and Jeanes, Emma and Trigg, Laura and Tischler, Victoria}},
  issn         = {{2387-4570}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{10}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{18--47}},
  series       = {{European Journal of Workplace Innovation}},
  title        = {{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}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.46364/ejwi.v8i1.1129}},
  doi          = {{10.46364/ejwi.v8i1.1129}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}