Programs & Coaching for Executives & Organizations

Supporting your Aging Workforce with Third Age Life / Work Planning

A 2007 report issued by The University of Vermont’s School of Business Administration entitled “Training the Aging Workforce: Productivity and Return on Investment” stated that “in the not so distant future . . ., it is likely that employers will face a shortage of labor as the baby boom generation begins to age and the human capital “backfill” does not exist . . . Yet, only about one-third of employers have come to the realization that they will need to go through some form of succession planning to deal with this change, including examining the ways they retain workers, particularly older workers.” The report also states that one labor market difficulty faced by older workers is that there are “few work force programs targeting their needs”. Finally, one of the report’s recommendations for employers “to prepare for organizational change and optimize their workforce going forward” was to have an “employment development planning process” that identifies “key issues for each employee around . . . retention issues and potential retirement intentions”.

So, how can you support your aging workforce to prepare for the realities and opportunities of living an active life of purpose well into their 70s and 80s, while also creating a benefit for your organization? With Third Age Life and Work Planning that specifically targets their unique needs, employees are given the tools and support to help them consciously consider and clarify their needs, desires, and intentions around their life, their work, and their relationship with their employing organization. For many, this process helps them to identify the continuing role they wish to have within their current organization. For others, it prepares them for the significant personal transformation that will come when they leave behind their organizational identity. In either case, the organization becomes well prepared to navigate this coming demographic storm.