ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with ageing and employment in small and medium enterprises in Thüringen, a Bundesland in the eastern part of Germany. Through a case studies survey we look at the awareness of demographical changes, age-related policies and regional co-operation among owners or representatives of these small to medium sized enterprises. The case studies show that understanding of the issues facing older workers in ‘disturbing times’ among employers is low and that activities on the level of individual support and external co-operation between enterprises and regional institutions is rather selective but in progress because of regional political activities.
