Ageing and ageism in Danish society and workplaces

For older workers to stay healthy and work effectively, policies and practices should focus on building the right conditions so that employees are enabled to offer their best contributions to the work organisations until the later stages of their career. This requires a profound analysis of the role that older workers have in their work context – how their experience is used, how their tasks are designed, how they are managed, and the quality of their social environment.

In our research, we will employ a mixed-method design, using both quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches, to understand the factors, at both the individual and organizational level, that may promote work ability and well-being among senior workers, and influence their decision to postpone retirement and prolong their working life in good health.

We will conduct two studies. In the first, we will examine perceptions of ageing and stereotypes about older people in Danish society and how these may affect the way senior workers are perceived—and perceive themselves, in the workplace. In the second study, we will investigate how intergenerational interventions aiming at improving the workplace intergenerational climate affect senior workers in terms of their work ability and well-being as well as their intentions and decisions about retirement.