Shall I Stay? the Meaning of Working to Older Workers: the Paper Explores Whether and Why Older Australian Workers Might Want to Continue Working. Why Do Some Want to Continue and Others Not?

Although there have been studies examining the current low employment rates of older workers, the identification of negative stereotypes associated with older workers, and related problems and challenges (such as age discrimination), no study of the working intentions of older Australian workers has been reported. Therefore, the aim of this research is to explore the meaning of working for older workers to better understand whether and why older Australian workers might want to continue working. In particular, this thesis explores what it is about working that makes some people want to continue beyond the traditional age of retirement, while others wish to cease work as soon as they are able. There are clear implications for individuals, organisations and public policy emanating from the extension to working lives and for many countries around the world which, like Australia, are similarly predicting a shortage of labour supply due to their ageing workforces