Institute for Employment Research » IER News & blogs (tag [older workers])

New research highlights how better employment support could help people over 50 stay in or return to work

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT

As populations age, governments are encouraging people to work for longer. But many older workers—especially those with health conditions, caring responsibilities or insecure work histories—struggle to stay in employment or find a way back after job loss.

A new report from the Warwick Institute for Employment Research reviews UK and international evidence on active labour market programmes designed to support people aged 50 and over. It finds that generic, one-size-fits-all employment schemes often fail older workers, particularly those facing disadvantage.

Professor Philip Taylor gave evidence to the 'Preparing for an Ageing Society’ inquiry

Thu, 15 May 2025 07:25:00 GMT

IER’s Professor Philip Taylor, along with Professor Lynda Gratton from London Business School and Professor Wendy Loretto from Edinburgh Business School, gave oral evidence this week to the House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee inquiry 'Preparing for an Ageing Society'.

Combatting age discrimination in hiring and retention

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 07:25:00 GMT

In a recent episode of the US podcast “Looking Forward Our Way”, Professor Philip Taylor and Dr Phyllis Cummins from Miami University in Ohio joined hosts Brett Johnson and Carol Ventresca to shed light on the ongoing issue of ageism in the workplace. Ageism, as discussed, manifests in various forms, from biased job postings to discriminatory hiring practices. We highlighted the overt forms and the subtler, systemic barriers that mature adults face when seeking employment or striving to remain employed.

IER welcomes Professor Philip Taylor

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 08:05:00 GMT

Philip Taylor joined IER this September. A psychologist and social gerontologist by background Philip uses mixed methods to understand issues of workforce ageing.

Philip’s research focuses on developments in public policies targeting longer working lives, older workers' orientations to work and retirement and employer attitudes and practices towards older workers, in an international context.

Early Lessons and Promising Workforce Practices from COVID-19

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:46:00 GMT

Phillip Taylor, Professor of Management at Federation University Australia and Honorary Professor at IER, talked about the 'Early Lessons and Promising Workforce Practices from COVID-19' at a webinar hosted by the AARP, the World Economic Forum and the OECD. The webinar is part of their Living, Learning & Earning Longer series. Listen to the recording here.

We’re all in this together: Strategies for achieving employee retention during COVID-19 - blog by Professor Philip Taylor*

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:10:00 GMT

During these turbulent economic times, employers have to make many difficult decisions. They are considering the sustainability of present staffing levels while also thinking ahead to when the economy starts to pick up again. Against a backdrop of significant economic uncertainty and immense pressure from stakeholders, it is important that any important decisions made about whether to invest in or let go of staff are informed by the best available evidence.

This blog explores five aspects for employers to consider with regard to the employment of older workers, and closes with a call to action for employers.

Workshop on workforce ageing

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 09:50:00 GMT

As part of his second IAS funded visit IER visit, Professor Philip Taylor, Federation University Australia, will give a workshop on Challenges of the contrarian: Lessons from studies on workforce ageing. It will be held on 14 March, 12.30 - 13.30 in room B0.41/43, ground floor, Social Sciences building. Although primarily targeted at early career scholars and researchers across the University, it is also open to anyone with an interest in the topic.

If you are interested in attending this free event please contact Lynne Marston at L.Marston@warwick.ac.uk by Tuesday, 12 March 4pm for the sandwich order.

Forthcoming seminar 'Prolonging working life through ICT: the role of crowdsourcing'

Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:16:05 GMT

IER is hosting an EPSRC funded Balance Network seminar on'Prolonging working life through ICT: the role of crowdsourcing'. The one day seminar will explore how crowdsourcing has changed the boundary between work and home, enabling older people to remain part of the labour force and perhaps achieve a new work-life balance. The interactive seminar will be held on 3 March at the University of Warwick. Click here to register your interest.

Welcome to Dr Mary McMahon and Professor Mark Watson

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:07:19 GMT

IER would like to welcome Dr Mary McMahon, from The University of Queensland, who has arrived this week to start her 4 week IAS Fellowship. Mary will be presenting at various events over the next few weeks, so keep an eye on our news for more information. Professor Mark Watson, Distinguished Professor from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa, will also be visiting IER at the end of June. Together Mary, Mark and Jenny will be pursuing their international research collaboration on older women.

Dr Yuxin Li visiting China as part of “Ageing and Elderly Care” research network

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:12:28 GMT

As part of an IER research partnership, Dr Yuxin Li will visiting Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China for the next two weeks. She will be working on the “Ageing and Elderly Care” research network that has been set up. During her stay at Sun Yat-sen University, Yuxin will also visit two universities in Guangzhou – South China Normal University and Jinan University – with the aim of extending the network. Yuxin will also be attending the International conference on Social Policy and Governance Innovation to be held at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou.