Uncertain Futures: Managing Late Career Transitions and Extended Working Life

Lead Research Organisation: University of Kent
Department Name: Sch of Social Pol Sociology & Social Res

Abstract

The various transitions from work to retirement have undergone radical transformation over the past few decades. From a period when individuals were encouraged and looked forward to retiring early we have entered an era when living longer is presented as an opportunity, or an obligation, to work longer and extend our working lives. A review of the research literature on the extension of working life has identified a variety of factors implicated in individual decision-taking. These include: health status, pension provision, caring responsibilities, opportunities for flexible work and other external and individual factors. Statistical models using these determinants have left much of the variance in employment between individuals unexplained, because of the difficulty of capturing the complexity of factors in each case. The aim of this study is to contribute to knowledge about the processes and factors which exert influence on working in later life with the aim of enhancing policy development and employer practice.

The ending of the default retirement age (DRA) opens up a radically different environment for the individual and the employer: both are entering periods of uncertainty in exploring work options for the future. The transition from work to retirement is no longer well-institutionalised but much more subject to a myriad of organisational and individual pressures which may be unpredictable; as such these transitions carry new risks both for employers and employees. This proposal from a multidisciplinary team will use a mixed methods approach to develop a richer picture of what is happening at the end of working life.

These issues will be addressed through a series of work packages:

WP1: International literature and policy review; to what extent are similar developments being studied and tracked in other parts of Europe, Australia and the USA.
WP2: Analysis of existing data sets (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), National Child Development Study (NCDS) and Health and Retirement Survey (HRS);
WP3: The collection of new data through organisational case studies; and
WP4: The synthesis of data and theoretical development: the data will be used to gain a clearer understanding of the interaction between individual and external determinants in shaping later life work transitions.

The research will enhance our understanding of the range of later life work transitions, i.e. gradual retirement, bridge jobs, returns to retirement ('unretirement') and will develop theoretical approaches to the new forms of risk and uncertainty in the middle and later stages of the life course.

The research consortia includes early, middle and later career academics from a variety of academic disciplines which provides the opportunity to benefit from the insights, approaches and methodological variety that multi-disciplinarity brings as well as from the inter-generational transfer of ideas. The team is also in a position to offer excellent development opportunities to two post-docs and two PhD students who it is hoped will go on to enrich the research community in the field of older workers and establish their own high quality research careers.

In addition to traditional academic outputs the dissemination will also include the development of more practical tools useful for research users. These will include guidance for groups including human resource managers on factors to consider in later life working and ergonomists and occupational health professionals on work capacity changes and workplace and work organisation changes that can be considered.

Planned Impact

The programme has significance for a wide range of non-academic and academic research users. The role of the Research Advisory Board (RAB) is pivotal to the design, dissemination and impact of the research. Their involvement from the start is to ensure that key research user interests are built into the research design. The following have agreed to be part of the RAB:

Dr. Wilson Wong Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Richenda Solon DWP
Professor Richard Taylor Non-Executive Director of the Board of the Health and Safety Executive
Professor Kène Henkens Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute
Professor John Williamson Boston College, USA
Matthew Norton AgeUK
TUC tbc
Professor Cheryl Haslam Loughborough University

The RAB will meet once face to face at the beginning of the project and twice virtually during the research. Alongside the RAB, we propose to set up an Impact Working Group comprised of expert stakeholders from the public, private and voluntary sector, who either lead or advise on managing working life practices and policies within their organisations. The project will hold 'open seminars' on a regular basis throughout its work - these supported by existing networks (e.g. ILC, the Manchester Interdisciplinary Collaboration for Research on Ageing) linked with the research team.
A website and a blog will be established early in the programme of research and will serve as a platform for publishing the subsequent symposium activities. The website will be marketed through the researchers' established networks, for example the Gerontological Society of America's (GSA) Older Worker Interest Group; the British Sociological Association (BSA), Social Policy Association (SPA) British Universities Industrial Relations Association (BUIRA); the Ageing Research section of the European Sociological Association and the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors Special Interest Group on Ageing and Work, Society of Occupational Medicine.

Findings from the Work Packages will be disseminated through conference papers to conferences including: British Social Gerontology Conference; Gerontological Society of America; British Sociological Association, Social Policy Association; European Sociological Association; Work, Employment and Society Conference; European Academy of Occupational Health Psychology. In year 3 the PhD students will be mentored to give papers independently. The Post Docs will be encouraged to give papers in year 2. A one-day symposium will be held at the end of the project. This will build on the network of research users and academics and the contacts of the Advisory Board and will provide an opportunity to disseminate and share research results with a national, international and policy focused audience. In order to disseminate findings to employers and NGOs a paper will be offered to the annual CIPD conference and research updates will be distributed to The Age and Employment Network and to the Employers Forum on Age, EHRC and AgeUK. Publications for research users will be submitted to the relevant trade journals for example: People Management; HR Review, Saga Magazine. All of these activities will be promoted through the website, the blog and regular press releases and media coverage of the work at various stages.

In addition to traditional academic outputs: a book and at least 5 journal articles in international peer reviewed journals, likely to be Ageing and Society, Research on Aging, Work, Employment and Society, Journal of Social Policy and Occupational Medicine, it is expected that the research will make a significant impact in moving forward our theoretical and empirical understanding of the dynamics of later life working.

Key long-term policy impact pathways from the project will include the development, publication and launch of a policy report based on the findings of the research work streams, facilitated by ILC-UK

Publications

10 25 50
 
Title Podcast on Older women workers 
Description Podcast on the current situation of many older women workers 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2020 
Impact Has been listened to in the following countries: UK; USA; Spain; Australia; Malaysia; Italy; Sweden and New Zealand 
URL https://soundcloud.com/user-100657223/the-additional-employment
 
Title Suzanne Lacy: Uncertain Futures and Cleaning Conditions 
Description This indepdent exhibition was partly inspired by the artist hearing Profesor Sarah Vickerstaff speak about the 'Uncertain Futures' project. It was agreed that the artist could use the 'Uncertain Futures' title for her work. Uncertain Futures is a new collaborative artwork highlighting intersectional issues around work for women over 50 focusing on gender, age, race, disability and class. Developed by Lacy with an advisory group formed of women over 50 from Manchester's diverse communities, Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester City Council's Work and Skills team, Uncertain Futures aims to co-research conditions around access to work, within work and leaving work for women over 50. It is produced in partnership with the University of Manchester: School of Social Sciences, Department of Law and Manchester Metropolitan University: Department of Social Care and Social Work and is a MICRA seedcorn programme. From 24 June until 6 Feb there had been 241539 visitors to the exhibition. 
Type Of Art Artistic/Creative Exhibition 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact It is a public exhibition at Manchester Art Gallery for nearly a year Thursday 24 June 2021-Sunday 1 May 2022 and is attracting a broad public audience. 
URL https://manchesterartgallery.org/exhibitions-and-events/exhibition/suzanne-lacy-uncertain-futures/
 
Title Uncertain Futures: older workers in age of extending working lives 
Description Podcast on results from the project recorded at the BSG Conference 2017. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2017 
Impact It is viewable on You Tube 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrbd4nCPBcU
 
Description RQ1. What evidence can be found for new 'late career transitions' developing in England? How do these compare with those found in the USA?
Policy assumes that access to various forms of flexible work is beneficial for older workers and can provide a key means for them to continue working or retire gradually. Analysis of the ELSA/HRS data and evidence from our case studies suggest that access to flexible working opportunities may be exaggerated. It is still the case that a majority of working men continue to work full-time until retirement. Similarly, in the UK it is typical for women to work part-time and then retire fully. Our analysis likewise suggests that relatively few Americans work 'late' (that is into their late 60s) as a result of returning to work after retirement or moving into part-time work or self-employment.
RQ2. How do life course factors influence these late career transitions?
The capacity of individuals to extend their working lives requires an understanding of their entire life course. The research highlights the extent to which childhood adversity and mental ill-health influences the labour market status of people in their fifties. The capacity of someone to carry on working may have been compromised well before the individual reaches the 'retirement zone'. Gendered work patterns during working life feed through into individuals' aspirations and opportunities for EWL. Women are often working part-time already and therefore phased retirement, though potentially available through a further reduction in hours, is less meaningful or financially feasible.
RQ3. How is the idea of 'extended working life' being constructed within the workplace?
The research found little evidence that organisations have begun to work through the implications of an ageing workforce. Employers are very much aware of age discrimination legislation and we found little evidence of overt discrimination; however, the implications of the law were being interpreted very defensively with some perverse consequences. In particular, it was believed you cannot talk to anyone about their retirement plans for fear of being accused of ageism. This was unhelpful for both employer and employee. Organisations have retreated from the management of work-ending, simply waiting for employees to resign. This creates uncertainty on both sides and leaves employees with little support in making retirement decisions.
Whilst overt age discrimination was limited internalised ageism was prevalent. There were examples of 'lookism' where older women felt visibly under scrutiny because of their age and many employees considered themselves as "too old" for training or advancement. There was a strongly expressed view from many employees across all of the organisations that staying on as an older worker might be effectively job blocking for younger generations. The importance of this is that in the face of redundancies or restructuring, older workers may feel that it is their duty to step down and make way for younger people.
RQ4. What is the impact of late-career transitions on work place practices, re-training, human resources and occupational health policies?
Although there were good examples of employee-friendly initiatives such as health and wellbeing activities and carer forums, these were not specifically targeted towards older workers either because of a fear that this would be discriminatory or because their potential benefits for older workers had not been thought through.
In the case study organisations there was considerable employee interest in the idea of phased retirement but few had investigated whether it was possible and for lower income earners it was not financially viable anyway. Flexible working options are limited for those outside administrative and office jobs, and even where HR wish to increase such opportunities, they may face resistance from line managers who have to make the arrangements work in practice.
Exploitation Route Non- academic routes
Early in the project a session with research users was held to discuss the findings of the JPI element of the project and to act as sounding board for issues that needed to be developed further in the empirical research. Throughout the project we have given talks and papers to a variety of non-academic audiences and given interviews to national radio and news outlets (see engagement activities) and involved key stakeholders in discussion of the progress of the research. We held a major dissemination event with ILC-UK, in collaboration with another ESRC funded project, in which a range of policy makers, third sector groups and politicians participated. We are about to launch a policy report based on the findings of the research facilitated by ILC-UK. The PI is currently working with ACAS and the DWP to develop an intervention to help employers to understand better how to manage employee retirement.
Academic routes
The project has resulted thus far in a wide range of academic outputs: 6 journal articles accepted, 3 further in review; two book chapters and four published reports. More journal articles are in preparation. Project members have given many conference presentations including at the following conferences: IAGG World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics (2017); British Social Gerontology (2017); Work Employment and Society (2016); Gerontological Society of America (2016, 2015); Annual Colloquium of Superannuation Researchers, Sydney (2016); European Sociology Association (2015). The team has been committed to developing the careers of the post- doctoral researchers on the project and they have had full opportunities to present at conferences and be involved in a range of published outputs.
Sectors Aerospace

Defence and Marine

Chemicals

Communities and Social Services/Policy

Construction

Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software)

Education

Electronics

Energy

Financial Services

and Management Consultancy

Healthcare

Leisure Activities

including Sports

Recreation and Tourism

Government

Democracy and Justice

Manufacturing

including Industrial Biotechology

Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology

Retail

Transport

URL https://www.kent.ac.uk/extendingworkinglives/
 
Description The aim of the project's impact strategy was to have a lasting impact in three key areas: 1) Through dissemination of the findings in traditional academic outlets, primarily journal articles and conference presentations and symposium (thus far 7 articles, two more in press and many other outputs such as book chapters, reports an conference presentations see Publications and Engagement activities). 2) To inform and have an impact on policy makers and policy development. 3) To inform and have an impact on practitioners and public debate. This report concentrates on 2) and 3) Impact on policy makers and policy development. In November 2017 Sarah Vickerstaff PI on the project was appointed as a Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee Investigation into Older Peoples Employment. In this role she advised on expert witnesses to be called to hearings, helped frame questions that they should be asked and has collaborated on the production of the final report. In November 2017 ACAS and the DWP asked the PI to present findings from the project to interested stakeholders from industry and Government in a design/development workshop, aimed at developing tools to help employers better manage retirement conversations and processes. Following on from this the PI has continued to be involved with ACAS and the DWP in developing such tools. In April 2017 in collaboration with ILC-UK and another research project funded under the MRC/ESRCLLHW strand of funding we held a one -day event at Church House in Westminster for policy makers, employers and third sector practitioners. Following this we released Exploring Retirement Transitions: A research report from ILC-UK and the Uncertain Futures research consortium http://www.ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/exploring_retirement_transitions This report formed the basis for the following dissemination activities: • Dr Brian Beach, Senior Research Fellow, ILC-UK, gave oral evidence to the Women and Equalities Select Committee's inquiry into Employment Barriers for Older People https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/women-and-equalities-committee/news-parliament-2017/older-people-employment-evidence-session-17-19/ • Featured in WorkLife: http://worklife-blog.org/ • WorkLife blog shared via ILC-UK social media channels • 8th March 2018 - Findings shared with Rt Hon Damian Green MP to inform his work on extending working lives • Social Affairs Editor at The Sunday Times briefed for a 1500 feature on working beyond SPA. • 18th April 2018 - Secretary of State for Work and Pensions briefed on findings The research findings have also been presented to policy makers and politicians in Scotland to inform the Scottish parliament of the key issues facing the policy agenda around the employment of older women and issues around fuller working lives more generally (see Engagement activities). The PI was involved in Centre for Ageing Better roundtable event to inform the Department for Work and Pensions' Work and Health Green Paper consultation exercise. Throughout the project but especially in the latter stages and in the last year the projects findings have been widely disseminated to policy makers and politicians and the PI has informed policy development at the highest levels. Impact on practitioners and public debate Throughout the project dissemination events have been held which have drawn employers, trade unions and third sector groups into discussion about the project findings (see engagement activities). The PI and other members of the research team have accepted invitations to speak directly to varied groups including: professional recruitment consultants; occupational health professionals; Manchester public health initiative and the British Federation of Women graduates. The research team throughout the project have also sought a wider public audience through the project's website: https://www.kent.ac.uk/extendingworkinglives/html; writing blogs, tweeting and writing pieces for the press such as The Conversation. Recent media coverage is detailed below: Media coverage Broadcast Media 20th January 2018 -BBC Radio 4 Money Box 6th December 2017 - BBC Radio Kent 6th December 2017 - BBC Radio Scotland (for earlier see Engagement activities) National Press 5th December 2017 - The Telegraph 'Homemakers' more likely to struggle with mental health, study finds http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/05/homemakers-likely-struggle-mental-health-study-finds/ 5th December 2017 - The Daily Mail People whose parents split are more likely to be unemployed or sick by their mid-50s http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5145783/Kids-divorced-couples-likely-unemployed-sick.html 5th December 2017 - The i Young children with mental health issues 'more likely to be unemployed by age 55' https://inews.co.uk/news/health/young-children-mental-health-unemployment-chances/?platform=hootsuite 7th December 2017 - The Daily Mail Proof a child can still be scarred by divorce 40 years later http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5153945/A-child-scarred-divorce-40-years-later.html Online Press 5th December 2017 - Medical Xpress Children with mental health problems more likely to be out of work by 55 https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-12-children-mental-health-problems.html 8th December 2017 - The Christian Institute Children of divorce still suffering decades later http://www.christian.org.uk/news/children-divorce-still-suffering-decades-later/ Through these mechanisms the project has helped to inform public debate about extended working lives and continues to address directly the concerns of employees, their advocates and their employers.
First Year Of Impact 2015
Sector Financial Services, and Management Consultancy,Government, Democracy and Justice
Impact Types Societal

Policy & public services

 
Description Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Women and Equalities Select Committee Investigation into Older Workers
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201719/cmselect/cmwomeq/359/35902.htm
 
Description Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Womens and Equalities Committee Older people and employment inquiry
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/women-and-equalities-com...
 
Description The Uncertain Futures project is referenced a number of times in the oral evidence given to the House of Commons Women and Equalities committee in the Investigation of older people and employment
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/women-and-equalities-com...
 
Description Internalised and gendered ageism and disableism and its consequences for labour market participation of older workers: a mixed method study
Amount £156,883 (GBP)
Funding ID ES/S00551X/1 
Organisation Economic and Social Research Council 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 04/2019 
End 12/2020
 
Description European-wide initiative "More Years - Better Lives" 
Organisation European Commission
Country European Union (EU) 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Professor Sarah Vickerstaff presented a paper on "The impact of the Domestic Domain on Later Life Work Participation" at the Understanding Employment Participation of Older Workers : Defining Research Needs for Evidence-based Policy event in Berlin. The event is the final conference in a Europe-wide initiative entitled "More Years, Better Lives". The initiative seeks to enhance coordination and collaboration between European and national research programmes related to demographic change. Professor Sarah Vickerstaff and Dr David Lain each provided chapters in the final report from the above-mentioned research project as well as providing a national report for the UK. This can be accessed at:
Collaborator Contribution To be added.
Impact To be added
Start Year 2015
 
Description Abolishing mandatory retirement ages: implementation in 4 organisations. presentation to annual British Society of Gerontology conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Research paper given as part of a symposium at the BSG conference.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Advising the Scottish government 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Professor Wendy Loretto took part in discussions which fed in to the production of the Creating a Fairer Scotland report with specific emphasis on older people in the workplace.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00481121.pdf
 
Description Age Discmrination Awareness for Employers 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact This was a workshop organised by ACAS and the DWP to explore how to help employers manage in the context of age discrimination legislation. In particular, the focus was on how to encourage employers to talk about retirement with their employees without fear of being discriminatory. Sarah Vickerstaff was asked to present findings from the research which demonstrate that age discrimination legislation is being defensively interpreted by both employers and employees. She is engaged with these stakeholders to design training or an online resource to help employers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Age Limits in the Workplace 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Participants in your research and patient groups
Results and Impact Discussions with many European colleagues leading to further European collaborations.

Ability to collaborate with others on future projects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Appearance at WES conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Wendy Loretto, Sarah Vickerstaff, Mariska van der Horst and David Lain attended the Work Employment and Society event in Leeds and presented on some of the findings from the project. Mariska and David presented on Later Life Careers in the UK and Wendy and Sarah on the issues for women of working longer. In addition, David and Wendy presented on their work on grandparenting.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://business.leeds.ac.uk/about-us/article/the-work-employment-and-society-wes-conference-2016/
 
Description Appearance on national radio station 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Wendy Loretto appeared as an expert speaker on an addition of Radio 4's Woman's Hour discussing the challenges facing women in the workplace.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07pd4rj
 
Description Attendance at Gerontological Society of America annual event in Florida 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Attendance at GSA and presentation to attendees by members of the project
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Attendance at IAGG conference in San Francisco 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff, Chris Phillipson, David Lain and Mariska van der Horst attended the conference, presented findings from the project and acted as discussants and chairs at a variety of seminars.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.iagg2017.org/
 
Description Attendance at International Interdisciplinary conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff and Wendy Loretto took part in the Gender Work and Organisation Conference at Keele University 2016 and presented on initial findings from the project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.genderportal.eu/events/9th-biennial-gender-work-and-organisation-conference
 
Description Blog 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Blog on Ageing Issues the British Society of Gerontology Blog: "Trapped in an extending working life" by mariska van der Horst, David Lain and Sarah Vickerstaff
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://ageingissues.wordpress.com/2019/12/17/trapped-in-an-extending-working-life/
 
Description COST initiative training school 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Participation in a training school in Lausanne with other members of the COST action on older workers
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Centre for Longitudinal Studies' Cohort Studies Research Conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Participants in your research and patient groups
Results and Impact Dr Mariska van der Horst presented on "Employment Patterns of Older Individuals in the UK" at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies' Cohort Studies Research Conference at UCL's Institute of Education in London prompting a number of questions.

to be added
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Chairing a symposium at GSA 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Professor Chris Phillipson acted as Chair for the symposium entitled "The Erosion of Retirement:The case of the United Kingdom."
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.geron.org/meetings-events/2016-gsa-annual-scientific-meeting
 
Description Chapter in European report 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Professor Sarah Vickerstaff provided a chapter on Domestic and household factors to the More Years/Better Lives initiative "Understanding employment participation of older workers" a collaboration with a Europe-wide Joint Project initiative.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://wahe2016.uni-wuppertal.de/fileadmin/site/wahe2016/Downloads/JPIUEP_Research_Report_2015.pdf
 
Description Chapter in European report 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Professor Sarah Vickerstaff and Dr David Lain provided a chapter on the UK's position to the More Years/Better Lives initiative "Understanding employment participation of older workers" a collaboration with a Europe-wide Joint Project initiative.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://wahe2016.uni-wuppertal.de/fileadmin/site/wahe2016/Downloads/JPIUEP_Research_Report_2015.pdf
 
Description Chapter in a European report 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Dr David Lain provided a chapter on Financial factors to the More Years/Better Lives initiative "Understanding employment participation of older workers" a collaboration with a Europe-wide Joint Project initiative.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://wahe2016.uni-wuppertal.de/fileadmin/site/wahe2016/Downloads/JPIUEP_Research_Report_2015.pdf
 
Description Chris Phillipson gave a Keynote Presentation to 43rd ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC MEETING OF THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION ON GERONOLOGY, NIAGARA FALLS. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact Talk entitled: TRANSFORMING WORK AND RETIREMENT: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR EXTENDING WORKING LIFE encouraged a more nuanced consideration of extending working lives issues.

It highlighted the need for new policies if extending working life was to be taken forward as a realistic option for particular groups in the workforce.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Chris Phillipson quoted in the Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Chris Phillipson was consulted by the Guardian for his expert opinion on flexible retirement with specific reference to the case studies undertaken in this project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.theguardian.com/membership/2017/feb/06/flexible-retirement-age-state-pension-savings
 
Description Conference presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Presentation of research paper entitled "The management of older workers' health: precarity, security and health climate" to the Fairness at Work Conference, Manchester University, January 2023.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description David Lain spoke at : At the Crossroads: Preparing for an Ageing Population, conference organised by AGE NI and Ark Ageing programme, Belfast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation fostered a discussion about the regional variations in older workers employment.

Led to discussions about the desirability of writing a paper on regional variations in older worker employment.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL http://www.ark.ac.uk/ap/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/atc.pdf
 
Description Discussant at The Age and Employment Network (TAEN) event 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Professor Sarah Vickerstaff attended the event and acted as a discussant.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL http://www.taen.org.uk/blog/view/167
 
Description Discussion of gradual retirement 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff was interviewed on Radio 4 Money Box programme in a piece on gradual retirement. 20th January, 2018
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2018
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qjnv/episodes/player
 
Description Dr Joanne Crawford presented at a meeting of Arbeit and Leben Niedersachsen and the RCN 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Dr Crawford presented on the "Foundations of Workplace Health Management on the Basis of Age and Life-phase Appropriateness" provoking much discussion about how we can manage change and reduce risks.

To be added.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description ESA conference in Germany 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact Professor Chris Phillipson and Dr Mariska van der Horst gave presentations on "A Critical Perspective on Active Ageing" and "Employment Patterns of Older Individuals in the UK" respectively promoting discussion and questions.

To be added.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Keynote speech at a symposium in Australia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Chris Phillipson provided the keynote speech at the 24th Annual Colloquium of Superannuation Researchers in Sydney. The presentation was entitled Extending Working Life: Problems and Prospects for Older Workers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Older Workers and a New Precarious Employment Relationship, conference paper to British Universities Industrial Relations Association 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Research paper given at the Annual BUIRA conference which attracts academics and practitioners
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Older people in employment conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Professor Wendy Loretto hosted an event at the University of Edinburgh Business School to discuss some of the issues affecting older people in employment. Professor Sarah Vickerstaff, Dr Laura Airey and Dr David Lain presented some of the findings from the Extending Working Lives project and discussed some possible policy options with representatives from the Scottish government.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Online symposium 'Organisational Influences on Extended Working Lives',organised by the British Society of Gerontology Work and Retirement Special Interest Group. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Dr David Lain (Newcastle University, UK) gave a presentation on: "The marginalisation of older workers in a UK local authority facing budget cuts"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Overcoming inequalities event at Church House, Westminster 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact The Overcoming Inequalities: Addressing barriers to extending working lives event was held on 5th April at Church House in London. The event was attended by a host of leading experts from charities, industry, government, public bodies, universities and voluntary organisations. The one-day conference showcased new research findings and examined the current barriers to extending working lives: health inequalities, work place practice and policy barriers, that government, business and civil society can collectively address.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Participant in the "Uncertain Futures Policy Panel", Manchester, November 2023. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Participant in the "Uncertain Futures Policy Panel", Manchester, November 2023. Event to disseminate the report, documentary and findings of the Uncertain Futures-100 women project. https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/281224925/Uncertain_Futures_Report_2023.pdf

The event was targeted at policy malers and pracitioners.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvimeo.com%2F885207971%2Fb8c32257c5...
 
Description Podcast 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Podcast on the current issues that older women workers face based on this research.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://soundcloud.com/user-100657223/the-additional-employment
 
Description Positive aspects of ageing conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact On Saturday 13 May Sarah Vickerstaff gave a presentation entitled "A new age of retirement?" to the Canterbury & District Association of the British Federation of Women Graduates. The event - Positive Aspects of Ageing: Challenging stereotypes - was chaired by the Dean of the Faculty of Health & Wellbeing at CCCU, Debra Teasdale, and featured a number of academics from the University of Kent, including Dr Hannah Swift, Research Fellow at the School of Psychology and Professor Julia Twigg, Professor of Social Policy and Sociology. The event was well received by an audience in excess of 70 people.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Presentation at BSG conference 2017 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff, Chris Phillipson and David Lain attended the BSG conference in Swansea and presented findings from the project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.bsg2017.org.uk/
 
Description Presentation at European public health conference 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Dr Charlotte Clark presented a paper from the Uncertain Futures project entitled: The impact of childhood psychological health on labour force participation in later life
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://ephconference.eu/2016-plenary-programme-224
 
Description Presentation at Gerontological Society of America 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation by Professor Sarah Vickerstaff and Professor Chris Phillipson entitled " Training and Development: the Missing Part of the Extending Working Life (EWL) Agenda?"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Presentation at Gerontological Society of America 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation by Professor Sarah Vickerstaff entitled ""Good Old Fred": Formality and informality in the management and retention of older employees."
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Presentation at Gerontological Society of America Symposium 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Professor Sarah Vickerstaff presented on the subject of "Extending Women's Working Lives: Risks and Opportunities
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.geron.org/meetings-events/2016-gsa-annual-scientific-meeting
 
Description Presentation at Gerontological Society of America event 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation by Professor Sarah Vickerstaff under the banner of Uncertain Futures: Managing Later Career Transitions entitled " Still working at 87"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Presentation by Dr Joanne Crawford at NEC Birmingham 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Dr Crawford will be giving a presentation at the Health and Wellbeing at Work on 9th March and will be providing attendees with information about the EWL project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Presentation by Professor Sarah Vickerstaff and Dr Mariska van der Horst to networking workshop Loughborough University 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.)
Results and Impact Discussions following the presentation and possible further areas of collaboration explored.

None identified.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Presentation to GSA 2016 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Professor Chris Phillipson presented on the subject of: "Retirement Lost or Saved. Redefining a 20th Century Institution".
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
URL https://www.geron.org/meetings-events/2016-gsa-annual-scientific-meeting
 
Description Professor Chris Phillipson quoted in the The Guardian 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Professor Chris Phillipson was quoted in an article in the Guardian entitled "Our Cities Must Undergo a Revolution for Older People":
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/15/age-friendly-cities-design-future
This refers to Chris's term "self-imposed house arrest" which he believes can be brought about as a result of cities not being designed or organised with older people in mind.

To be added
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Professor Christopher Phillipson contributed to the public health initiative "Ageing well in work". 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Professor Chris Phillipson acted as an adviser and contributor to the Manchester public health initiative "Ageing well in work" involving conference presentations and discussion groups.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.ageingwellinwork.org.uk/
 
Description Provision of seminar on Understanding Age in the Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Professor Wendy Loretto held a seminar entitle "Older workers or older robots? Challenging the new vision of Retain, Retrain and Recruit"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL http://www.research.ed.ac.uk/portal/en/projects/sustaining-employee-wellbeing-in-the-21st-century(70...
 
Description REC Scale-Up Live for the Sectors 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Participants were able to gain insight in to their role in creating diversity in recruitment.

to be added
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Sarah Vickerstaff article published in the Independent 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff's Conversation article on retirement was picked up and published in the Independent.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/the-question-employers-are-wary-to-ask-w...
 
Description Sarah Vickerstaff takes part in Work, Health and Ageing Roundtable with the Centre for Ageing Better 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff was invited to take part in this roundtable event to inform the consultation on the Work and Health green paper.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/work-health-and-disability-improving-lives
 
Description Sarah Vickerstaff writes article for the Conversation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff published an article in the Conversation online forum on the subject of retirement and the effect of organisations of the rise of the state pension age.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL https://theconversation.com/the-question-employers-are-wary-to-ask-when-are-you-going-to-retire-7097...
 
Description Seminar for employers, workers, policy makers and NGO's to discuss extended working lives. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Participants in your research and patient groups
Results and Impact Discussions were held with a wide range of participants to gain information to move forward with our research in the area of extending working lives.

To be added
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description Seminar on "Understanding Age in the Workplace" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Provision of a seminar on the topic of the challenges and opportunities of older workers in the workplace presided over by Professor Wendy Loretto.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2016
 
Description Supporting Older People Into Employment (SOPIE): Barriers and Facilitators to Extending Working Lives 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Sarah Vickerstaff gave a presentation: "Age Discrimination, Ageism and Older Employed Workers" based on the research as part of a day workshop organised by the University of Glasgow on related topics. The purpose of the day was to report on the findings of a number of projects funded under the MRC/ESRC LLHW EWL stream of funding. The audience was composed of policy makers, politicians, practitioners and other researchers.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
 
Description Talk "Extending Working Lives: the implications for winners and losers in the changed UK policy landscape", Annual Lecture Manchester Institute for Collaborative Research on Ageing 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public lecture and discussion
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/micra-2019-annual-lecture-implications-for-winners-and-lo...
 
Description Talk at Scottish Parliament 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? Yes
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact To be added
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
 
Description The Age of Employment network event. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Prof Sarah Vickerstaff, Dr David Lain, Dr Andrew Weyman and Prof Wendy Loretto joined others in exploring the government's recently published paper on "Extending Working Life: Fuller Working Lives".

Further work is to be conducted.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
 
Description Wendy Loretto appears on BBC Radio Scotland to discuss working in later life. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Professor Wendy Loretto appeared on BBC Radio Scotland to discuss working in later life in response to a call from UK government business champion, Andy Briggs, to create one million more jobs for older workers by 2022.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2017
URL http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08c3wdc#play
 
Description You tube video on the activities of the EWL project 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Dr David Wainwright provided a vlog on You Tube with details of the EWL project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2014
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OcF6humLfw
 
Description You tube video with details of the EWL project 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Professor Sarah Vickerstaff provided an introduction to the work to be carried out in the EWL project.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq3PkeK8OXY