Employee FWA needs and employer provisions across diverse age groups

Abstract

This chapter explores how employers address the flexible work needs of the diverse age groups within their workforce. It identifies employee age groups for which employers would explicitly negotiate flexible work arrangements (FWA) and those FWA needs are likely to be met from employer numerical flexible practices. Employers adopt various flexible workplace practices, each aimed at specific outcomes. FWAs are important to social sustainability of employees and are key components of high-performance work systems. Lifespan theories have emerged over time to explain the biological, psychological and social changes that occur as people age and how these alter their needs, preferences and work performance. The ‘young adult’ stage starts when children transition into adulthood and begin to exert their independence; working to earn income, starting a family and/or extending their knowledge, skills and experiences to shape their careers. Employees initiate FWAs, which may require different structures and systems from employer numerical flexibility practices to administer.