Older workers are one of the few employment groups that seems to have prospered after the dot.com bust of the late 90s. These older workers now make up 12% (up from 10.2%) of the workforce. This group has also been receiving raises, appears to be successful in their careers, has been retained when younger workers were laid off, and is one of the few groups to actually prosper in the recent economic hard times. The recent recession has motivated this group to even work harder at their jobs and careers.
1. How have the changes in the economy affected the careers and career stages of older workers.
2. What effect do you think changes in the economy and laws against age discrimination have had on the psychological contracts of older workers?
3. What are the implications of your conclusions in 1 and 2 (above) for younger workers?