A More Effective Social Protection System for Older Workers: A Case Study of the Older Adult Employment Project in Thailand
Main Article Content
Abstract
The phenomenon of old-age pensioners reentering the workforce is neither new nor unique and has been well-reported in several published literature. However, there are remaining challenges to this group of job seekers whose needs have yet to be well-documented from employer’s perspectives, especially regarding decent work, legal landscape, and organizational culture. Our study seeks to provide a better understanding of the underlying causes of these and to help policymakers introduce social protection policies to create a more welcoming and supportive environment for older workers. The study used a case study from service companies in Thailand that participated in the Thai government’s campaign on promoting older employment. Data was collected from interviews with top managers of the human resources department, and that information was analyzed by thematic analysis. Key findings highlighted that the supportive mechanisms for matching decent work, a room for integrating legal framework, and a culture that values inclusivity and fair treatment of all workers, regardless of age, can enhance the social protection system for older workers. The establishment of a modern database of older workers’ skills, which ensures easy accessibility to both employers and older workers, the establishment of a task force specific for monitoring laws and regulations concerning older employment, and the development of effective measures against workplace discrimination are recommended as effective interventions for social protection.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
• Appannah, A., & Biggs, S. (2015). Age-friendly organisations: The role of organisational culture and the participation of older workers. Journal of Social Work Practice, 29(1), 37–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650533.2014.993943
• Asavanirandorn, C., Pechdin, W., Ngamsomsak, R., & Bhula-Or, R. (2023). What influences older urban poor’s attitude towards online job search? Implications for smart cities development. Smart Cities, 6(1), 614–625. https://www.mdpi.com/2624-6511/6/1/28
• Asavanirandorn, C., Pechdin, W., & Trang, N. T. Q. (2022). Identifying factors influencing productivity of older workers in the service sector: A case study in pilot companies in Thailand. Behavioral Sciences, 12(8), Article 268. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/12/8/268
• Asavanirandorn, C., Osatis, C., & Pechdin, W. (2020). โครงการรูปแบบการจ้างงานผู้สูงอายุในภาคเอกชนของไทย: ความยืดหยุ่น ผลิตภาพ และการคุ้มครอง [Non-standard employment for older persons in the Thai private sector: Flexibility, productivity, and protection]. Foundation of Thai Gerontology Research and Development Institute (TGRI). College of Population Studies, Bangkok.
• Baltes, B. B., Rudolph, C. W., & Bal, A. C. (2012). A review of aging theories and modern work perspectives. In W. C. Borman & J. W. Hedge (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of work and aging. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780195385052.013.0069
• Bartoll, X., & Ramos, R. (2020). Working hour mismatch, job quality, and mental well-being across the EU28: A multilevel approach. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 93(6), 733–745. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01529-2
• Beehr, T. A., & Bennett, M. M. (2015). Working after retirement: Features of bridge employment and research directions. Work, Aging and Retirement, 1(1), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.1093/workar/wau007
• Been, J., & van Vliet, O. (2017). Early retirement across Europe: Does non-standard employment increase participation of older workers? Kyklos, 70(2), 163–188. https://doi.org/10.1111/kykl.12134
• Bekhet, A. K., & Zauszniewski, J. A. (2012). Methodological triangulation: An approach to understanding data. Nurse Researcher, 20(2), 40–43. https://doi.org/10.7748/nr2012.11.20.2.40.c9442
• Bloom, D. E., Jimenez, E., & Rosenberg, L. (2012). Social protection of older people. In J. Beard, S. Biggs, D. Bloom, L. Fried, P. Hogan, A. Kalache, & J. Olshansky (Eds.), Global population ageing: Peril or promise? (pp. 83–88). Program on the Global Demography of Aging, Harvard University. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1288/2013/10/PGDA_WP_89.pdf
• Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
• Carney, T. (2015). Searching for workable alternatives to guardianship for vulnerable populations? Ethics, Medicine and Public Health, 1(1), 113–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2015.03.005
• Chhotray, V., & Stoker, G. (2009). Governance: From theory to practice. In Governance theory and practice (pp. 214–247). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230583344_10
• Cook, C., Diamond, R., & Oyer, P. (2019). Older workers and the gig economy. AEA Papers and Proceedings, 109, 372–376. https://doi.org/10.1257/pandp.20191042
• De Haan, M., & Schreiner, R. C. (2018). The intergenerational transmission of welfare dependency (CPD 10/18). Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration, Department of Economics, University College London. https://www.cream-migration.org/publ_uploads/CDP_10_18.pdf
• Drover, G., & Kerans, P. (1993). New approaches to welfare theory. Edward Elgar Publishing.
• Egdell, V., Maclean, G., Raeside, R., & Chen, T. (2020). Age management in the workplace: Manager and older worker accounts of policy and practice. Ageing and Society, 40(4), 784–804. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X18001307
• Eurofound, Vendramin, P., Valenduc, G., Molinié, A.-F., Volkoff, S., Ajzen, M., & Léonard, E. (2012). Sustainable work and the ageing workforce: A report based on the fifth European working conditions survey. Publications Office of the European Union. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2806/42794
• Fasbender, U., & Wang, M. (2017). Negative attitudes toward older workers and hiring decisions: Testing the moderating role of decision makers’ core self-evaluations. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, Article 2057. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.02057
• Fishman, A. A. (2016). How generational differences will impact America’s aging workforce: Strategies for dealing with aging Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers. Strategic HR Review, 15(6), 250–257. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-08-2016-0068
• Freeman, R. B. (2010). Labor regulations, unions, and social protection in developing countries: Market distortions or efficient institutions? In Handbook of development economics (Vol. 5, pp. 4657–4702). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1573-4471(10)05020-7
• Ghai, D. (2003). Decent work: Concept and indicators. International Labour Review, 142(2), 113–145. https://webapps.ilo.org/public/english/revue/download/pdf/ghai.pdf
• Gonzales, E., Matz-Costa, C., & Morrow-Howell, N. (2015). Increasing opportunities for the productive engagement of older adults: A response to population aging. The Gerontologist, 55(2), 252–261. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnu084
• Handley, K., & den Outer, B. (2021). Narrating ‘potential’: Older knowledge workers’ anticipatory narratives about their future employment. Ageing & Society, 41(10), 2375–2395. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X20000607
• Harris, K., Krygsman, S., Waschenko, J., & Laliberte Rudman, D. (2017). Ageism and the older worker: A scoping review. The Gerontologist, 58(2), e1–e14. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw194
• Harris, S. D. (2020, November). Increasing employment for older workers with effective protections against employment discrimination. Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy, 30, 199–234. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ES-11.19.20-Harris.pdf
• Head, B. W. (2008). Three lenses of evidence-based policy. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 67, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8500.2007.00564.x
• Innes, J. E., & Booher, D. E. (2010). Planning with complexity: An introduction to collaborative rationality for public policy. Routledge.
• Jecker, N. S. (2022). The dignity of work: An ethical argument against mandatory retirement. Journal of Social Philosophy, 54(2), 152–168. https://doi.org/10.1111/josp.12471
• Karaoglu, G., Hargittai, E., & Nguyen, M. H. (2021). Inequality in online job searching in the age of social media. Information, Communication & Society, 25(12), 1826–1844. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2021.1897150
• Kenny, D. T., Driscoll, T., & Ackermann, B. J. (2018). Effects of aging on musical performance in professional orchestral musicians. Medical Problems of Performing Artists, 33(1), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.21091/mppa.2018.1007
• Kim, D. K. D., & Kreps, G. L. (2020). An analysis of government communication in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic: Recommendations for effective government health risk communication. World Medical & Health Policy, 12(4), 398–412. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.363
• Kooij, D. T. A. M., Zacher, H., Wang, M., & Heckhausen, J. (2020). Successful aging at work: A process model to guide future research and practice. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 13(3), 345–365. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2020.1
• Lee, S., Aleksynska, M., Rani, U. A., Bonnet, F., Fenwick, C., Lansky, M., Macis, M., & Monti, P. (2014). Labour and social protection institutions: Recent trends and impact on development. World of Work Report, 2014, 85–108. https://doi.org/10.1002/wow3.48
• Loretto, W., & White, P. (2006). Population ageing and older workers: Employers' perceptions, attitudes, and policies. Population, Space and Place, 12(5), 341–352. https://doi.org/10.1002/psp.421
• Luke, J., McIlveen, P., & Perera, H. N. (2016). A thematic analysis of career adaptability in retirees who return to work. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, Article 193. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00193
• Marvell, R., & Cox, A. (2017, February 6). What do older workers value about work and why? Institute for Employment Studies. Centre for Ageing Better. https://ageing-better.org.uk/resources/fulfilling-work-what-do-older-workers-value-about-work-and-why
• Mazumdar, B., Warren, A. M., & Dupré, K. E. (2018). Extending the understanding of bridge employment: A critical analysis. Personnel Review, 47(7), 1345–1361. https://doi.org/10.1108/PR-10-2016-0276
• Midtsundstad, T. I. (2011). Inclusive workplaces and older employees: An analysis of companies' investment in retaining senior workers. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(6), 1277–1293. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2011.559099
• Moen, P., Kojola, E., & Schaefers, K. (2016). Organizational change around an older workforce. The Gerontologist, 57(5), 847–856. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw048
• Musich, S., Wang, S. S., Kraemer, S., Hawkins, K., & Wicker, E. (2018). Purpose in life and positive health outcomes among older adults. Population Health Management, 21(2), 139–147. https://doi.org/10.1089/pop.2017.0063
• Neumark, D. (2022). Strengthen age discrimination protections to help confront the challenge of population aging. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 34(3), 455–470. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2021.2022951
• Neumark, D., Burn, I., Button, P., & Chehras, N. (2019). Do state laws protecting older workers from discrimination reduce age discrimination in hiring? Evidence from a field experiment. The Journal of Law and Economics, 62(2), 373–402. https://doi.org/10.1086/704008
• Noone, J., Knox, A., O’Loughlin, K., McNamara, M., Bohle, P., & Mackey, M. (2018). An analysis of factors associated with older workers’ employment participation and preferences in Australia. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 2524. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02524
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2013). Protecting jobs, enhancing flexibility: A new look at employment protection legislation. In OECD Employment Outlook 2013 (pp. 65–126). OECD Publishing. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/empl_outlook-2013-6-en
• Pechdin, W., & Assavanirandorn, C. (2023). Protecting older people in the workplace in the era of disruption: Insights from Thailand and implications for building welcoming environments for older workers. Social Science Asia, 9(4), 1–10. https://socialscienceasia.nrct.go.th/index.php/SSAsia/article/view/366
• Pechdin, W., Sarnkhaowkhom, C., Kanthanetr, S., & Willemse, M. P. (2023). Retelling social inequalities in the era of market competition: Review and discussion for sustainable welfare development. Frontiers in Sociology, 8, Article 1085278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2023.1085278
• Principi, A., Bauknecht, J., Di Rosa, M., & Socci, M. (2020). Employees’ longer working lives in Europe: Drivers and barriers in companies. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17, Article 1658. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051658
• Schein, E. H. (1990). Organizational culture. American Psychologist, 45(2), 109–119. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.45.2.109
• Sewdas, R., de Wind, A., van der Zwaan, L. G., van der Borg, W. E., Steenbeek, R., van der Beek, A. J., & Boot, C. R. L. (2017). Why older workers work beyond the retirement age: A qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 17, Article 672. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4675-z
• Spencer, C. (2013). Legal and legislative issues in protecting older adults in the workplace: An international perspective. In P. Brownell & J. J. Kelly (Eds.), Ageism and mistreatment of older workers: Current reality, future solutions (pp. 145–164). Springer.
• Stypińska, J., & Nikander, P. (2018). Ageism and age discrimination in the labour market: A macrostructural perspective. In L. Ayalon & C. Tesch-Römer (Eds.), Contemporary perspectives on ageism (Vol. 19, pp. 91–108). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73820-8_6
• Sullivan, H., & Skelcher, C. (2017). Working across boundaries: Collaboration in public services. Bloomsbury Publishing.
• Truxillo, D. M., Cadiz, D. M., & Hammer, L. B. (2015). Supporting the aging workforce: A review and recommendations for workplace intervention research. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 2(1), 351–381. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-032414-111435
• United Nations (UN). (2024). World Population Prospects 2024: Demographic indicators. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/Population/
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) & HelpAge International. (2012, January 1). Ageing in the twenty-first century: A celebration and a challenge. https://www.unfpa.org/publications/ageing-twenty-first-century
• van Dalen, H. P., & Henkens, K. (2020). Do stereotypes about older workers change? A panel study on changing attitudes of managers. International Journal of Manpower, 41(5), 535–550. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-09-2018-0300
• Varianou-Mikellidou, C., Boustras, G., Dimopoulos, C., Wybo, J.-L., Guldenmund, F. W., Nicolaidou, O., & Anyfantis, I. (2019). Occupational health and safety management in the context of an ageing workforce. Safety Science, 116, 231–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2019.03.009
• Viviani, C. A., Bravo, G., Lavallière, M., Arezes, P. M., Martínez, M., Dianat, I., Bragança, S., & Castellucci, H. I. (2021). Productivity in older versus younger workers: A systematic literature review. Work, 68(3), 577–618. https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-203396
• Wagenaar, H. (2014). Meaning in action: Interpretation and dialogue in policy analysis. Routledge.
• Wong, C. M., & Tetrick, L. E. (2017). Job crafting: Older workers’ mechanism for maintaining person-job fit. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, Article 1548. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01548
• Yuan, B., Zhang, T., & Li, J. (2022). The dilemma of dual adaptation to delayed retirement initiative and work model change of gig economy: The influence of late retirement and multiple-job holding on mental health among older workers. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 95(5), 1067–1078. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-021-01830-8