December 16, 2005
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Articles
Older Workers Seek Flexibility, Autonomy, Learning
"The more that 50-plus people can control their hours, exercise autonomy and find opportunities to learn, the more likely they will be to continue working, according to two new reports by the Center on Aging and Work/Workplace Flexibility at Boston College and the Families and Work Institute. The key to retaining older workers, who are likely to be in demand as the U.S. population ages and its labor force shrinks, is for companies to structure jobs creatively. ‘Flexibility doesn’t just mean flextime,’ says Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute. ‘Flexibility means thinking in new and creative ways about dealing with issues like the pace or the timing of work.’” Mentions Michael Smyer.
Bush Steers Around Furor Over Drug Plan
"While President Bush was in Virginia touting his new Medicare drug plan Tuesday, delegates to the fifth White House Conference on Aging demanded it be overhauled. Their paths never crossed. Unlike his three predecessors, including his father, Bush will not attend the four-day conference. The administration is well represented there, a White House spokeswoman said. ‘The purpose of the conference was to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging and present a report with their findings to the president,’ said spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo. ‘The president participated at an event in Springfield, Va., to educate seniors on Medicare prescription drugs and encourage them to sign up with the program.’ But seniors at the once-a-decade White House conference were in no mood to be sold on the plan.” Mentions Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes.