Resilient and Inclusive? A Comparative Perspective on Ageism in Employment Policies in Four European Countries.

Elena Bastianelli , Bocconi University
Magdalena Kocejko, SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Isabelle Leunig, Bocconi University
Jolanta Perek-Bialas, SGH Warsaw School of Economics
Arnstein Aassve, Bocconi University

This study argues that tackling ageism is fundamental to building resilient societies. Employment policies, which shape critical life-course transitions, provide a strategic lens for examining the interplay between ageism and resilience. We suggest that eliminating ageist elements from employment policy and fostering the labor market inclusion of older adults are essential for enhancing both individual and collective resilience in ageing societies. We conduct a qualitative policy analysis of four European countries—Italy, Ireland, Germany, and Poland—assessing whether, and how, employment policies reproduce ageist structures or promote resilience. The analysis focuses on four key instruments: flexible retirement pathways, incentives for hiring older workers, age-inclusive active labor market policies, and lifelong learning opportunities. These instruments are evaluated in light of demographic and labor market contexts to assess their potential to support age-diverse and inclusive labor markets. Our findings highlight how policies may reinforce structural barriers to older workers’ participation, perpetuating exclusion and undermining societal resilience.

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 Presented in Session 65. Policy Issues on Ageing: Employment, Pensions and Public Perceptions