Late in the 20th century, I was employed by a private sector outplacement firm. I was challenged to help people prepare for jobs, many of which no longer existed or, at least, no longer existed for them! Many maturing folks were struggling with the effects of longer-lasting layoffs between jobs and most had insufficient savings to maintain similar standards of living for very long.
I studied the economic and societal implications of demographic change, ramping up my research. My first book for boomers was Boom or Bust, a primer for 21st century mature workers who needed new strategies in a new world. It was followed by Return of the Boomers – a co-authored book intended to point out strategies to organizations that needed boomer power in order to continue to thrive/survive. Then, I wrote The Fifty Thousand Mile Checkup, a checklist for mature workers.
Fast-forward to that fateful year – 2008. Was the recession a threat or opportunity to help others? The San Diego Workforce Partnership engaged me to help their clients prepare for the future of work, broadening my reach from the private to the non-profit sectors. Then, the Aging & Independence Services in San Diego engaged me to help design their first Community College event for mature workers.
It is safe to say that I have spoken with, and written for and touched via my work, many thousands of people in all sectors of the economy. How many have taken my advice I’ll never know, but dozens write to me each week to express their thanks. I am grateful.
Economically, societally and demographically, organizations cannot succeed without the contributions of mature workers. Millions of mature workers – people – will outlive their money if they can’t work, in some capacity. Millions of others will find isolation and loneliness in a world if no form of work – for a fee, for free or for the common good is not a part of their lives.