The association between self-reported health, late career transitions and working time modulation in England

• In Event: 3460 - Health, Aging, and the Life Course

Abstract

Background. There is an emerging literature focusing on the impact of late career transitions on health, but little is known about the role working time modulations might play in explaining older workers’ health. Methods. Using the English Longitudinal Survey on Ageing (ELSA) waves 4 to 7, the article assesses the association between the different types of change in working time, the total weekly working hours at baseline and the level of incomes and the change in self-reported health (SPH). The model controls for financial wealth, qualification, gender, age, sector of activity and self-reported health at baseline and also controls for attrition and non-responses. Results. Respondents who retired have a better SPH than those who keep working at constant working time. Those who work long hours benefit more from retiring. Respondents who worked long hours before being unemployed tend to be less affected by a negative change in SPH. Those who reduced working time by 50 per cent or more and worked long hours at baseline have lower probabilities to be affected by a negative change in SPH compared with those who worked fewer hours. Finally, low paid workers are those who benefit the most from retiring or reducing working time. Conclusion. There is a significant association between change in working time and change in self-reported health that needs to be investigated in further research. Results point out the need to foster working time arrangements for low paid workers.

Author

• Jacques Wels, University of Cambridge