2023-Simon McCabe
Dying to work? The impact of mortality concerns on the appeal of job advertisements to early retirees
Dr Simon McCabe (PI), Aston University; and Dr Karen Maher (Co-I), Aston University – Dying to work? The impact of mortality concerns on the appeal of job advertisements to early retirees
Grant Ref: 2023-330-T2
Grant Amount: £4,000
Project Summary: Labour force deficits in the UK have spiked with negative consequences for business, the economy, and consumers. These deficits were driven, in part, by ‘the great resignation’ – with many employees taking early retirement during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, empirical evidence is needed to discern how best to entice early retirees back into work. We draw on terror management theory (Greenberg et al., 1986) and life span theories (e.g., McAdams, 2001) to suggest one influential factor involved in decisions to return to work relates to existential concerns (given retirees closer proximity to death). Mortality concerns have been found to direct people towards an engagement with activities that provide a sense of personal & cultural value. Previous work indicates employment can provide routes to achieving these feelings of cultural value, which in turn, may stave off existential concerns (McCabe & Daly, 2018). However, psychological life-span theories note that as people age, and mortality draws closer, achieving cultural value may shift away from materialistic pathways (e.g., making money) towards a greater focus on social relations and bettering future generations. Synthesizing these ideas, we propose 2 experimental studies aimed at developing effective job advertisements targeted at early retirees. These studies examine how when existential concerns are activated, job advertisements focusing on non-materialistic aspects of work (e.g., social interaction/helping to craft the future) may be more effective than appeals to financial gain. We believe this research will help inform how recruitment strategies can change framing of job advertisements to attract those who have taken early retirement.