Older Workers, Active Ageing, and the Future of Work

Studies in Employment and Social Policy

The major trend of population ageing that can be seen in the European Union (EU) and in most other advanced economies has significant consequences for social cohesion, intergenerational solidarity, economic development and the long-term sustainability of health and pension systems. For labour law, industrial relations, and collective bargaining, the implications of the ageing workforce pose specific challenges.

This important book offers a comparative and comprehensive analysis of legislative developments and discourses relating to older workers, prolonged working lives, and the future of work, which are addressed under the themes of fundamental rights developments, dynamics in non-discrimination and employment protection, and advancements in active ageing.

Distinguished international scholars provide an expert examination of current societal, policy, legislative, and case law developments. The contributions address core issues in labour law, non-discrimination law, elder law, and EU law and cover topical developments in Australia, Brazil, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Union, including:

•               human rights protection for older persons and protection under the European Social Charter;

•               social rights developments in times of profound societal crises;

•               ways in which age discrimination and employment protection are linked in law and practice;

•               promotion of prolonged working lives in collective bargaining and government policy;

•               effect of advances in technology and specifically the potential of telework;

•               older workers in informal work and domestic slavery; and

•              sustainability and just transition in the context of working life and active ageing;

With its interdisciplinary approach and multitude of theories, conceptual frameworks, methodologies, and materials in analysing contemporary discourses and legal trends bearing on the ageing of the workforce and the future of work, this inspiring book will be of great interest to practitioners in labour and employment law worldwide, as well as to academics and policymakers in those fields.