New Technology, Older Workers: How Workplace Technology is Associated with Indicators of Job Retention

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Workplace Psychology
• Sociology of Work

Background:

• Precarious, high-strain jobs pose risks to middle-aged and older adults' economic security and retirement wellbeing.
• Workplace technology's role in accommodating or stressing aging workers remains under-studied.
• The low-wage service sector employs many older adults in demanding roles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between workplace technology (sales and surveillance) and job satisfaction.
• To investigate how technology use affects planned job exits among older service workers.
• To understand how specific technologies influence the work experience of aging employees.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from approximately 6,000 workers aged 50-69.
• Focus on individuals employed in the low-wage service sector (retail, food service, hotel, etc.).
• Examination of the impact of on-the-job surveillance, speed rewards, leaderboards, and sales technologies.

Main Results:

• On-the-job surveillance correlated with lower job satisfaction and increased intent to seek new employment, particularly when paired with sanctions for slow work speed.
• Rewards for speed and, to a lesser extent, leaderboards were linked to higher job satisfaction.
• Sales technologies showed no significant association with job satisfaction or intentions to leave the job.

Conclusions:

• Certain workplace technologies can negatively impact older service workers' job satisfaction and retention.
• Technology designed to reward speed or foster competition may enhance job satisfaction for aging employees.
• Understanding technology's nuanced effects is crucial for supporting older workers in the service sector.