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Effects of Disability on Job Search Among Older Workers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2014

Mathew Hutton ,
Philip Bohle ,
Maria Mc Namara  and
Zhicheng Li
Mathew Hutton
Affiliation:
Work and Health Research Team; Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, The University of Sydney, Australia
Philip Bohle*
Affiliation:
Work and Health Research Team; Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, The University of Sydney, Australia
Maria Mc Namara
Affiliation:
Work and Health Research Team; Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, The University of Sydney, Australia
Zhicheng Li
Affiliation:
Work and Health Research Team; Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, The University of Sydney, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Philip Bohle, Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Cumberland Campus, The University of Sydney, PO Box 170, Lidcombe NSW 2141, Australia. E-mail: philip.bohle@sydney.edu.au
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Abstract

This article examines the impact of disability and related variables (age, gender, and education level) on job search behaviours and employment outcomes. Data are from a two-wave study of 681 Australians between the ages of 45 and 65 who were not in paid employment. Regression modelling indicates that disability impedes job search at several stages of the employment process. Although is it unrelated to job search intensity, disability is negatively associated with the probability of engaging in job search, preferred weekly hours of work, and the likelihood of finding work. Gender and age are related to the probability of engaging in job search and gender is also associated with preferred hours to work. These findings indicate that older workers with a disability face multiple disadvantages when seeking employment.

Keywords

older workersjob searchdisabilityworkforce participation
Type
Articles
Information
International Journal of Disability Management , Volume 9 , 2014 , e2
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Australian Academic Press Pty Ltd 2014 

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