The Second Act: Seeking Best Practices for Encore Worker Management

The Baby Boomers are the largest generation in history, and as they reach the traditional retirement age of 65, many leave the workforce and seek encore jobs. This exodus of Boomers creates a knowledge gap that the Gen X and Millennial generations lack the numbers and often the experience to fill. As the knowledge gap increases, managers can recruit and hire encore workers to fill the gap and retain human capital. This article answers the question: What processes can managers implement to close knowledge gaps by hiring or retaining Boomers seeking encore jobs?

This article examined the factors for filling knowledge gaps with encore workers and the necessary processes for hiring or retaining encore workers to attain organizational goals. A systematic review of 32 published articles and four dissertations was conducted using Super's amended career development theory. A thematic analysis approach was used to examine the evidence.

The findings led to the development of best practices to guide managers who want to hire encore workers to close the knowledge gap, and increase organizational knowledge capital.

Baby Boomers are responsible for finding and sustaining encore worker positions, but managers can support Boomers through best practices including skills assessments, revised HR policies, reverse-mentoring programs, and training opportunities for managers and encore workers.