Abstract
This paper contributes to a better understanding of the experiences of older (50+) workers in Switzerland, a country preoccupied by the financial viability of its pension system and by labour shortages in some sectors. However, as a liberal, highly decentralised country with a buoyant economy, the Swiss authorities haven’t yet adopted any far-reaching EWL policies. Although Switzerland boasts one of the highest labour market participation rates of older (50+) workers in Europe, there are relatively few studies of the embodied experiences of ageing in specific occupations. The DAISIE project sought to fill this gap. Drawing on interviews with older (50+) workers in a transport company, we found that, despite actively seeking to hire and retain older workers, the company had no explicit ‘age management’ policies in place. This led to a highly individualised vision of ageing at work with paradoxical implications for older workers. On the one hand, the company recognised the challenges associated with working in a stressful environment with unsocial hours and provided all staff with a wide range of “wellness” initiatives. On the other hand, due to the stringent health and safety checks imposed on drivers, any request to access these measures triggered concerns on the part of HR and line managers about their ability to continue in the job. With only limited opportunities to shift to back office or administrative jobs within the company, the older drivers therefore sought to avoid being identified as a ‘needy older worker’ and to play down any health issues.
Presenters
Rocio PalomequePostdoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Lausanne, Neuchâtel (fr), Switzerland Nicky Le Feuvre
Full Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Social & Political Sciences, LIVES Centre, Lausanne University, Vaud (fr), Switzerland
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Economic and Demographic Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Ageing, Embodiment, Age, Management, Transport
