Aging workforce presents challenges to employers

Comments about: Aging workforce presents challenges to employers
WATERVILLE -- William McPeck, 58, had planned to retire in August. But with the economy worsening and the prospect...
[ back to story ]

Bookmark & share:

Welcome to onlinesentinel.com's reader comments forum, which is offered as a "public square" for our audience. We view this space as our readers' section of the Web site, separate from our journalistic offerings. We hope you will use the forum to advance public dialogue and community discourse. As such, we ask that participants refrain from personal attacks and offensive comments. If you believe a comment is inappropriate or offensive, you can bring it to our attention by clicking on the 'report abuse' link by the comment. It will be reviewed by online staff. Please understand that 1) a comment is not "inappropriate" solely because you disagree with its author; and 2) there may be a delay while the comment is being reviewed. Please review our Reader Comment Guidelines.

Reader comments

Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First

Suanne Begin of Fairfield, ME

Jan 9, 2009 12:34 PM

I agree. During the early 90's I read so much about flexible working schedules and job sharing, but every job I've held in the accounting field has had me shackled to a desk from 8-5 with a mandatory 1 hour lunch break. I would have preferred leaving work earlier to get home to my family and some of my coworkers would have liked to have come in a little later. Job sharing - I never saw that in action. Again, I would have loved to have been a part time professional when my kids were growing up.

Stunned of Waterville, ME

Jan 9, 2009 9:54 AM

wokingmom

Great post... But this was about the aging workforce, how employers can prepare and the lack of younger workers.

Baby boomers have a lot to offer employers with experience, education and the responsibility of raising a family behind them, with little distractions that take away from the work environment and most can afford to take a cut in pay that comes with flexibiliy.

If more young people move to Maine and if the working parents and caregivers can offer the same and can afford to take a cut in pay that comes with flexibility, than employers will value younger employees as well.

Again, this forum was about preparing for the aging working population. Perhaps there will be a forum on the young people leaving Maine or not willing to work in Maine.

Susan Reed of Scarborough, ME

Jan 9, 2009 9:30 AM

How many private-sector employees are (or were) serious about retiring at age 58?

wokingmom of Anytown, ME

Jan 9, 2009 8:48 AM

While I agree with McPeck that employers are going to have to adjust to the changing needs of an aging workforce - I hope the boomers will advocate for flexibility for ALL workers. Working parents and caregivers too could greatly benefit from increased flexability in work hours and opportunities for job sharing. This is not an issue unique to a particular age corhort. I am hopeful that employers (and boomers) will realize the value younger employees play in allowing boomers the flexability they will need and desire as they begin a more phased approach to retirement.

You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.