Problemset
Title
Essay Questions
Introductory
Text
Question 1
Type:
Essay
There is no overall relationship between worker age and job performance. Does this mean
that older and younger workers always perform equally regardless of job? Describe the
influence of two factors, other than age, on job performance.
Hint:
What can you do better than an older adult and what can an older adult do
better than you?
Feedback: pp. 245-247 Older workers clearly do some jobs better than younger workers
and other jobs not as well. Give examples of such jobs in your answer. The
other factors to discuss are the decline of job related skills and the benefits of
experience.
Question 2
Type:
Describe the general corporate view of older workers and tell where it is incorrect. Why
might executives foster such views?
Hint:
Do they have a positive view of older workers?
Essay
Feedback: pp. 242-251 Their view is generally pretty negative with respect to older
workers' injuries, absences, performance, satisfaction, and ability to learn new
procedures. The text gives you information to help you refute these negative
views. The views may occur because eliminating older workers usually
reduces costs.
Question 3
What is the ADEA and has it been effective?
Hint:
Type:
Essay
Question 4
Feedback: pp. 248-251 This law was meant to protect older (40+) workers from
discrimination. Its effectiveness has been mixed and your answer should
discuss for following: The early benefits to older workers Courts ruling in favor
of companies the majority of the time The negative period (state employers
protected, court rulings on salary and benefits issues) The recent Supreme
Court ruling regarding intention to discriminate.
Compare and contrast formal and informal retirement planning.
Hint:
Type:
Essay
Feedback: pp. 251-253 Both, of course, plan for retirement and both consider financial
issues. They differ in their accessibility, especially for women, minorities, and
lower SES workers, and in their breadth. Any topic might be discussed during
informal planning with one's spouse, children, and friends.
Question 5
Describe one person who is likely to retire early and one who is likely to avoid retirement.
Be sure to talk about the factors that are important in such retirement decisions.
Type:
Hint:
Essay
Feedback: pp. 255-256 Factors to use in describing your two people should include
health, wealth, dedication to career, and pressure from one's social network.
Question 6
Describe the five phases of retirement.
Hint:
Type:
Essay
Question 7
Feedback: pp. 258-262 Describe remote and near preretirement, honeymoon, the routine,
disenchantment, and termination (the revolving retirement).
Describe retirement in at least three other cultures.
Hint:
Type:
Essay
Feedback: Box 11-3 Other cultures you can choose from include those in Botswana,
Ireland, Hong Kong, Zimbabwe, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, and
Thailand.
Question 8
Type:
What is the three-legged stool and how does it differ for different ethnic groups, men and
women, and single and married couples?
Hint:
These three legs are the financial support for retirees.
Essay
Feedback: pp. 262-267 Social security, pensions, and savings/assets make up the three
legs of financial support for retirees. There are enormous differences between
ethnic, gender, and marital status groups, which you should describe.
Question 9
What activities do retired adults most frequently engage in?
Hint:
What would you do if you were retired?
Type:
Feedback: pp. 268-270 There are a number of everyday tasks that are reported by retired
Essay
adults. Education, particularly in some topics, and travel are frequent.
Volunteering should also be discussed.