Older Women: Employment and Wellbeing in Later Life
Date
Authors
Myers, B
Douglas, J
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
New Zealand Medical Association
Abstract
This article explores the older worker discourse on wellbeing and work by highlighting the labour market re-entry and work experiences of a small group of older women who returned to New Zealand ‘rejuvenated’ after completing self-initiated expatriation (SIE), a period of extended travel and work overseas. The women explored a diverse range of organisational employment options and despite their intention to engage in appropriate and meaningful work pathways, their experiences were marred by discrimination, disadvantage and disappointment. However the participants, buoyed by the freedom, challenges and learnings derived from their recent SIE, were no longer prepared to compromise their personal wellbeing by engaging in unsatisfactory work roles and looked to alternative avenues, outside formal organisational work to preserve their sense of wellbeing. This research contributes to the older worker and wellbeing discourses by encouraging employers and other stakeholders to embrace a broad range of ‘older’ employee pathways, in a spirit of employer–employee reciprocity that support and enhance individual and organisational wellbeing.Description
Keywords
Age, Diversity, Discrimination, Gender, Older women workers, Positive ageing, SIE, Wellbeing
Source
New Zealand Journal of Employment Relations, 42(3): 7-28.
DOI
Publisher's version
Rights statement
The NZJER is a fully open access, peer-reviewed journal which publishes research and commentaries that aim to contribute to an in-depth understanding of employment relations.