The effect of relational age on older Canadian employees' perceptions of human resource practices and sense of worth to their organization

Abstract

This study examined the effect of older employees' perceived relative age of their organization's workforce, work group members, and immediate supervisor on human resource practices tailored to older employees and older employees' sense of worth. The 291 participants were aged between 50 and 65 years. Perceived organization relative age was associated with the human resource practices, perceived work-group relative age was related to training and respect, and perceived supervisor relative age was associated with respect and fair treatment. All three relational age variables were related to perceived contribution to the organization. It is important for employers to be aware of the age dissimilarities within their organizations and to take steps to bolster older employees' feeling of being valued organizational members.

Keywords:

• ageing workforce
• human resource practices
• older workers
• perceived relative age
• sense of worth

Acknowledgement

This research project was supported by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.