The Aging Worker and Person–Environment Fit

Abstract

Two perspectives have been used to understand the experiences of aging workers in the workplace: the age discrimination and diversity perspective, and the relational demography perspective. We suggest that these approaches are limited and that Person–Environment (P-E) fit theory provides a broader theoretical framework that is potentially more useful, even though it has not been applied to understanding the experiences of aging workers specifically. A P-E fit approach suggests that the degree of compatibility between an individual and a work environment influences the individual’s attitudes, behaviors, and employment outcomes. We apply this framework and review relevant literature to understand how individuals “fit” their job, a coworker, their work group, and their organization as a function of their age, and the ensuing consequences of this fit.