Barriers and Facilitators of Re-Employment among Senior Workers: Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Re-entering the labour market after a period of unemployment can be challenging for seniors. This study investigates personal as well as circumstantial barriers and facilitators of re-employment. Unemployed seniors in Denmark (≥50 years, n = 1636) from the first wave (mid-2018) of the SeniorWorkingLife study were prospectively followed until March 2020 in national registers on labour market participation. Using weighted logistic-regression-modelled odds ratios (ORs), we estimated the association between personal and circumstantial factors at baseline and re-employment during follow-up. During follow-up, 28% re-entered paid employment. The desire to have a job (reference: not having the desire to have a job) increased the likelihood of re-employment (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.14-4.85). Contrastingly, a higher age (60-63 vs. 50-54 years; OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.16-0.79) and poor health (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.61) decreased the likelihood of re-employment. Sex, education and belief that age constitutes a barrier to re-employment were not associated with the likelihood of re-employment. Unemployed seniors desiring to have a job are more likely to get a job. However, a higher age and poor health are important barriers that should be taken into account, e.g., by ensuring employment opportunities for these groups in society.

Keywords: occupational; re-employment; return to work; seniors; unemployment; unemployment characteristics; worker.