Conceal or reveal? Facilitators and barriers to older workers' communication of accommodation needs
Reasons for the study
Canadian baby boomers are living and working longer than any previous generation. As they grow older, people may experience changes in their health, personal responsibilities and/or career trajectory that affect their employment experiences and needs for support in the workplace. Currently, there is little data examining how older workers (50-plus years) make decisions about whether or not to communicate their job accommodation needs and, if so, to whom, when and how. This study is exploring the barriers and facilitators to the communication of accommodation needs by older workers.
Objectives of the study
- To understand the reasons older workers choose to communicate or not communicate their personal needs for accommodation, support or training/development
- To examine factors related to the content, timing and goals of communicating these accommodation needs
- To examine the relationships among facets of communication (e.g. reasons, timing, recipients of disclosure), support and employment outcomes
Target audience
This research is relevant to older workers, employers, human resources professionals, disability managers, occupational health professionals, insurers, government bodies and community organizations focused on aging, employment, disability and/or caregiving. The findings may help inform workplace practices and policies that help older workers sustain their employment, allowing them to take advantage of the financial, personal and social benefits of work.
Related scientific publications
- Jessiman-Perreault G, Gignac MA, Thompson A, Smith PM. Understanding the unmet accommodation needs of people working with mental or cognitive conditions: the importance of gender, gendered work, and employment factors. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2024;34(1):251-264. doi:10.1007/s10926-023-10132-4. (Open access)
- Gignac MA, Bowring J, Shahidi FV, Kristman VL, Cameron JI, Jetha A. Workplace disclosure decisions of older workers wanting to remain employed: a qualitative study of factors considered when contemplating revealing or concealing support needs. Work, Aging and Retirement. 2024;10(2):174–187. doi:10.1093/workar/waac029. (Open access)
- Shahidi FV, Jetha A, Kristman VL, Smith PM, Gignac MA. The employment quality of persons with disabilities: findings from a national survey. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2023;33(4):785-795. doi:10.1007/s10926-023-10113-7. (Open access)
Related interviews and articles
- Older workers not prone to ask for employer support. Rehab & Community Care. April 30, 2023. Available from: https://www.rehabmagazine.ca/featured-carousel/older-workers-not-prone-to-ask-for-employer-support-citing-ageism-and-other-issues/
- Older employees reluctant to ask for support: study. Canadian HR Reporter. November 30, 2022. Available from: https://www.hrreporter.com/focus-areas/culture-and-engagement/older-employees-reluctant-to-ask-for-support-study/371977
- Older workers not prone to ask for employer support, citing ageism and other issues. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 110, Fall 2022.
- COVID worries highest among workers with both physical, mental health disabilities. At Work: Institute for Work & Health; No. 105, Summer 2021.
IWH Speaker Series presentations
- What do workplaces need to know to help older workers stay on the job? A qualitative study of older workers’ disclosure decisions. IWH Speaker Series. September 20, 2022.
- The employment quality of persons with disabilities: findings from a national survey. IWH Speaker Series. April 12, 2022.
Project status
Ongoing
Research team
Funded by
Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada