HAVING a job not only gives a person a means to earn an income, it also provides one with a daily routine.
The loss of routine after retirement can leave an individual with a reduced sense of purpose and meaning.
This might have an impact on mental health, said National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations deputy president Datuk Dr Soon Ting Kueh.
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“Many elderly folk tend to experience shock as they transition from their working lives to retirement.
“The adjustment period can be difficult, and may even cause emotional turmoil with their loved ones,” he told StarMetro.
He, however, expects more senior citizens to return to the labour market as this is already a trend.
Statistics Department data revealed that senior citizens aged between 55 and 64 made up 7.7% of Malaysia’s workforce in this year’s first quarter.
Higher living costs and a lack of financial support from their adult children were among reasons for this trend, said Dr Soon.
Former Malaysian Research Institute of Ageing director Prof Datuk Dr Tengku Aizan Tengku Abdul Hamid, however, said the elderly were likely to be more selective of the types of job they choose.
“They are not looking for a 9am to 5pm job, but prefer something with a flexible schedule.
“For them, having a job is not just about earning an income, but also to help fill time and create goals.
“This is especially true for senior professionals, who have grown used to a certain structure during their career,” she said.
Prof Tengku Aizan rejected claims that absorbing the elderly back into the labour market would deprive younger employees of opportunities.
“When recruiters are hiring a senior citizen, it is likely for a position that requires a specific skill set, which was never meant for a younger candidate,” she added.
Lotus’s Malaysia people’s department head Alvin Law Seng Watt said the retail chain currently employed 30 people above 60.
He said the company was planning to hire more workers from this age group, to boost its workforce amid the labour shortage.
He, however, added that it was important to match such individuals with the correct positions that would reflect their strength to ensure optimal productivity.
“Elderly employees are generally more responsible and display a better understanding of their tasks.
“The younger cohort, on the other hand, tend to be less disciplined, with higher records of absenteeism,” Law said.
