This workshop was focused on (1) determinants of employment in mid-life, (2) links between mid-life employment, health and future cognition, and (3) policy design for sustainable employment trajectories into old age.
Mid-life has been studied far less than young and old age. Yet, employment in mid-life is intimately connected to mature labor force participation, and to health and cognition at later stages. It is a crucial stage for building financial security for later life as well as developing protective factors to buffer against the risks associated with older age.
Individuals have to overcome significant challenges in midlife, such as the onset of health decline, caring for a disabled family member (more likely to be done by women), a less flexible labour market, and difficulties in changing occupations/careers. The workshop will explore how different groups are affected by these challenges, and the roles of work environments.
The workshop brought together representatives and researchers from the Australian Human Rights Commission, and from the fields of Economics, Psychology, Demography, Medicine, Industrial Relations and Organizational Behavior to debate current issues and challenges and identify future research priorities in this area.