Zora BútorováInstitute for Public Affairs

Presentation at the P.E.O.P.L.E conference in Bojnice, March 1, 2012

1. Chances of older people on the labor market

2. Normative ideas about the approach to older people on the labor

market

3. Work in the eyes of older people

4. Strong and weak sides of older workers

5. Ideas about the retirement

6. Active ageing in public perception

7. Perception of the position and contribution of older people

“.

Agenda

„Choose two age groups that in your opinion...“ (% of answers by respondents aged 45 – 64)

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

Bring the biggest economic

contribution

Have the strongest political

influence

Deserve the most credit

and recognition

People in their 30s 44 9 2

People in their 40s 78 42 7

People in their 50s 45 64 21

People in their 60s 8 37 36

People in their 70s 1 9 42

People in their 80s 0 1 23

„There are many different ways in which people contribute to society. To what extent do you think people in Slovakia aged 55 and over contribute in the following areas?“ (% of answers „contribute greatly“)

54

60

62

68

71

82

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

As volunteers

As consumers (i.e. people who purchase goods or

services)

As workers (i.e. people who performs paid jobs)

As carers for sick or disabled family members

As financial support for their families

By taking care of their grand-children

Zdroj: Eurobarometer, 2011.

„What is the position of older people in our society in comparison with the younger ones?“ (opinions of the entire population - in %)

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, December 2011.

29

44

21

41

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

much worse a little worse about the same a little better much better

„Which problems of the older people are the most serious?“ (opinions of the entire population – in %)

6

8

10

14

22

22

50

59

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Poor family relations, abuse and violence against elderly

Lagging behind in education; inflexibility, lack of adaptation

Insufficient access to social services

Loneleness, feelings of uselessness, exclusion from society

Disrespect for the needs of older people, discrimination,heartlessness

Discrimination at work and on labor market

Health deterioration and unsatisfactory state of health care

Living standard, social security, pensions

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, December 2011..

„Given common hiring policies at Slovak companies, which three categories of job applucants have the lowest chance to get a job?“ (opinions of the entire population - in %)

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, December 2011.

7772

47

26

14 13

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Olderwoman

Older man Woman inmiddle age

Yongwoman

Man inmiddle age

Young man

„Which of the following statements do you support: A. Despite a shortage of jobs, people of all ages should have an equal.B.In case of a job shortage younger people should take preferrence over older people.“ (opinions of the entire population - in %)

46

63

2228 26

15

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2005 2011

Support of A Undecided Support of B

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, September 2005 and December 2011.

„Employers should...A. ... create equal work conditions for all employees, regardless of their age.. B. ... Create work conditions corrresponding to the needs of each age group.“ (opinions of the entire population - in %)

39

15

36

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Support of A

Undecided

Support of B

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, December 2011.

„What do you appreciate most about your work?“ (opinions of working men and women 45 – 64, in %)

7

11

14

24

22

24

31

65

6

10

14

18

22

22

28

78

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Being able to earn social status

Being useful for other oeple

Being able to use my education and skills

Being in contact with other people

Being able to do what I like to do

Being able to earn security for old age

Being financially independent

Being able to support my family financially

Men

Women

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

„To what degree do working people 45 - 64 appreciate particular aspects of their work?“ (% of answers „certainly and rather yes“)

55

40

54

60

67

80

57

75

60

64

72

80

89

90

94

97

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

I am satisfied with my income

I am sure I will not lose my job in the near future

I would not change my job even if I had a chance

My job does not negatively effect my health

My employer understands the needs of employees like

myself

I have very good friends at work

Work allows me to use my education, qualifications and

experience

I am satisfied with my current job

Elementary education University education

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

„Imagine your job is in jeopardy. What would you be willing to do to keep your job?“ (% of affirmative answers)

37

27

59

696467

5854 54

48

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Men 45 - 64 Women 45 - 64

Commute to work a greater distanceWork more hours at the expence of family of private timeAccept job below your qualificationsWork for a lower wageAccept worse work (more strenuous, in a more harmful environment)

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

„How do you cope with the physical and mental demands of your work?“ (average grade among working men and women 45 – 64)

Note: Evaluations on a scale ranging from 1 (very well) to 5 (very poorly).Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

Men WomenPhysical demands

Mental demands

Physical demands

Mental demands

Total average grade 1,89 1,80 1,93 1,94

Elementary education 2,11 2,03 2,39 2,25

Vocational education 1,84 1,81 2,10 1,99

Secondary education 1,79 1,78 1,86 1,92

University education 1,57 1,70 1,70 1,80

Aged 45 – 49 1,66 1,80 1,78 1,83

Aged 55 – 59 1,95 1,85 2,14 2,11

„Do what extent meet people aged 55 - 62 work requirements?“ (Opinions of people 45 – 64 – average grade)

Note: Evaluations on a scale ranging from 0 (minimum) to 10 (maximum).Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

Average

Strong employee loyalty 8.62

Thoughtfulness, deliberateness, work and life experience, 8.56

High level of work discipline 8.52

Fewer interruptions of work due to the illness or the care for family members

7.80

Lower wage demands 7.51

Readiness to dedicate free time to work 7.29

High performance 7.18

Flexible response to new situations 6.42

Ambition and motivation for growing professionally and learning new things

5.70

Good computer skills 4.46

Active knowledge of foreign languages 4.23

„What is your idea about retirement? Until what age do you plan to work?“ (Opinions of people 45 – 64 according to education)

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

54

24

9

52

63

52

40

1418

26

42

8

20

7 6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Elementary Vocational Secondary University All aged 45 - 64

Until I become eligible for retirement

As long as I can, even after reaching my retirement age

I will try to retire early

„If you could choose, which way to retire would you prefer?“ (opinions of people 45 – 64, according to education – in %)

60

30

48

60

6367

48

3228

23

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Elementary Vocational Secondary University All aged 45 - 64

Retire fulltime Retire gradually

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, January 2012.

In your opinion, what is the ideal retirement age?“ (Opinions of people 45 – 64)

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, August 2006 and January 2012.

Ideal retirement age of men

Ideal retirement age of women

Average age 2006 60.0 55.8

Average age 2011 60.1 57.3

Opinions of men 2011 60.0 57.5

Opinions of women 2011

60.2 57.1

% of answers „62 years and more“

23 % 3 %

„People past retirement ages should...“ (affrmative : negative opinions – in %)

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, December 2012.

Entire population

People 45+

... Continue working as long as they are able and willing to work

41 : 55 50 : 48

... Take part in the political life as much as younger people

44 : 48 47 : 45

... Take care of their grand-children as much as possible 67 : 29 67 : 29

... Help other older people around them 74 : 18 72 : 20

... Participate as volunteer in solving problems of the community

75 : 18 74 : 19

... Continue learning and keep pace with changing times 78 : 19 77 : 18

... Enjoy the good life 78 : 17 78 : 17

... More actively promote the rights of older people in the society

76 : 17 80 : 15

„In your opinion, what is active ageing?“ (aswers to an open-ended question - in %)

3

6

5

9

11

12

11

16

47

3

4

5

10

13

13

15

21

41

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

Engage in public life, active citizenship

Socialize, be with other people

Healthy way of life

Practise hobbies, enjoy life

Physical activities, sports, be in motion

Lifelong learning, keeping pace with changing times

Be active, avoid "sitting in slippers in front of the TV"

Continue working

I don't know

Opinions of the entire population Opinions of people 45 - 61

Source: Institute for Public Affairs, December 2011.

Zora Bútorová

www.ivo.sk