ABSTRACT
The knock-on effects of a depleted workforce are enormous. Not only is manpower, and hence productivity, lost but also talent and knowledge. The ‘pension’ word might well bring on a yawning fit but, as we hurtle towards the workforce crisis, it’s a subject that no one can afford—metaphorically and literally—to dismiss as boring anymore. Ironically, while some ‘golden oldies’ are having to relinquish their dreams of getting out of work, others can’t wait to get back into the workforce. Incidentally, it’s easy to think that ageism is directed only towards the old but the young all too often fall victim to it as well. The problem is that the business world is apparently only catching on slowly. As the workforce shrinks away, ageist attitudes make strategic nonsense. Workforce ageing alone is reason enough for some enlightened organisations to respond with new human resources policies.
