Objectives: The proposed project focused on the issue of ageism and ageism-related performance in municipal action and welfare-related policy agendas and actions in the area of employment. The objectives were to map and evaluate existing local programs and actions in the area of employment regarding ageism. While the primary focus is a Swedish one, the approach called for an international comparison involving several countries.
Results: The project included five studies. Study 1 investigated diversity and exclusion in late working life in Sweden. The results of the study 1 show that participation is lower among older age groups, people with low education and women. While participation in wage-employment decreases by age, participation in self -employment increases by age. Participation in self-employment is higher for men. Differences in participation among men and women is lower for higher educated. While primary and secondary educated men are more likely to receive unemployment benefits in the year of exit or employment break, primary and secondary educated women are more likely to receive sickness compensation in the year of exit or non- employment break. On the other hand, higher educated individuals are more likely to receive no benefits and only pension in the exit year and during non-employment breaks. Moreover, higher educated and men are more likely to change their employment type, in most of the cases to self-employment.
Study 2 investigated the effect of occupational attachment in life on the exit timing and type of exit. The results show that being employed or student in 30 increases the age of exit compared to those who were not employed at the age 30. While having non-employment breaks between 40-49 increases the age of exit compared to those who are always employed, this is not the case for the attachment between 50-59. Individuals have non-employment break between ages 50-59 decreases the age of exit from the working life.
Study 3 examined the risk of unemployment and reemployment chances of different age groups in Sweden. The results show that while there are no significant differences in the likelihood of being unemployment among different age groups, older people have dramatically less likelihood of being reemployed once they are unemployed. Moreover, older age groups are more like to stop being registered in Employment Agency even though there is no reemployment.
Study 4 aimed to understand the role of firm behaviour and organizational structures in age discrimination in late working life. Study 4 aims to reveal the role of local/regional governments and local/regional economic conditions in the age discrimination in late working life. The study 4 and 5 are still work in progress. The results on the role of company and local, regional structure on the age discrimination in late working life are expected to be generated and disseminated in this year.
Secondment(s)(Months), co-Supervisors: EC (3m), Anette Scoppetta. The goal of the secondment was geared towards making the research findings more applicable for policy makers.
