Retaining workers approaching retirement: why child welfare needs to pay attention to the aging workforce

The child welfare workforce faces looming staffing shortages complicated by the large number of workers approaching retirement. Strategies that mitigate the loss of talented older workers to retirement represent a partial solution. However, child welfare research to date has not examined whether or how older workers might differ from younger workers in terms of retention-related issues. To address this gap, this study utilizes an integration of two theoretical perspectives--organizational climate theory and the life course perspective--as a guiding framework. Data from a sample of 432 public child welfare workers were analyzed in terms of moderating effects of age on the relationship between individual and organizational factors on work and job withdrawal. Results indicate that age moderates the relationship between perceived stress and work withdrawal (i.e., disengagement from work while remaining in the job) and between organizational commitment and job withdrawal (i.e., leaving the job entirely). Practice and research implications are discussed for retention and delaying retirement of talented and engaged mature workers interested in remaining employed.