KEY FINDINGS
December 6th 2011: Among those of our members no longer working, reduced hours and flexible work arrangements would have allowed them to work longer (had they wanted to), and phased retirement, more age-appropriate tasks and less physically demanding workplaces are also seen to be helpful. There is agreement these developments should be incentivized through tax credits to employers of older workers.
Just more than one quarter of members are in the workforce, either full or part time. Among those still working, the main reasons they haven’t retired are that they need the paycheque and because it’s important to keep busy. Among those who no longer work, the main reasons are because they were tired of working or wanted to travel and relax. Those no longer working said reduced hours is the one policy that would have allowed them to continue working.
One quarter of members have themselves or know someone who has suffered age discrimination in the workplace and about one half of members think this kind of discrimination is common.
One half of members say it is important the government move immediately on its promise to end mandatory retirement in federally regulated industries.
When members are asked how older workers can best be accommodated in the workforce, they are most apt to cite flexible work arrangements like telework, short weeks and job sharing, or phased retirement, involving increasingly shorter hours and pay. Subsidized health and dental insurance and strengthened legal sanctions for workplace age discrimination are also preferred. Many members agree tax credits to employers of older workers are the best way to incentivize these programs
There is substantial agreement that there should be a formal mentoring process whereby older employees can pass on their knowledge and experience.
A relatively small minority of members have a caregiver in the home, and many of these say they had to juggle caregiving and work, or retire early as a result.
While two thirds of members agree with the general aims of the Occupy Wall Street movement, very few think they should be allowed to keep their tent cities in public parks.
Four-in-ten members belong to a CARP chapter, which means almost two thirds do not, which is a tremendous recruiting opportunity. One tenth of members are veterans, and very few receive veterans’ benefits.
The Conservative party is the choice of about half the membership, about a quarter choose the Liberals and about a fifth opt for the NDP. Recent polls reporting the Liberals taking over second place from the NDP were reflected weeks ago among CARP members.
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