The Employers' View on Older Adults as Staff in Early Childhood Education Services

Abstract

Changing demographics report increases in the number of older women that will modify the structure of the workforce. The aim of this qualitative study is to examine the employer's views on employment for women, 50 years and above. It consists of interviews with 19 employers in New Zealand early childhood services. The findings show an acknowledgement of the strengths that the older women bring to their work. Further, a number of benefits of employing older adults are identified. The employers raised some issues and concerns, such as the older adult's hesitancy in accepting changes. The findings also identify work conditions that might be unsuitable for older adults. Despite the challenges, older women have the potential to make a valid contribution, in which their skills and strengths are utilized in ways that do not exploit them.

Key Words:

• Older women
• employment
• early childhood education services
• benefits
• issues
• qualitative methods