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Lawmakers hope to overturn age discrimination ruling
Proposed Democratic legislation would overturn a recent Supreme Court ruling that makes it more difficult for workers to prove age discrimination. Under the Supreme Court's decision, an employee must prove that age was the deciding factor in an adverse employment decision. The AARP supports the proposed legislation. "Unless Congress passes this bill, too many older workers who have been victims of arbitrary age discrimination will be denied their day in court," said Nancy LeaMond, an AARP executive vice president. NYTimes.com (10/6) Workforce Management Online (10/2009)

More than 15% of Americans 65 and up worked in 2008, survey says
A recent survey found that 15.5% of Americans 65 and older worked at least part time last year. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey found that, as of 2008, more than a third of seniors who remained in the workforce were on the job 35 hours a week or more. Experts say many older Americans remain in the workforce to supplement their retirement or Social Security benefits. Other must continue to work in order to support themselves. U.S. News & World Report (10/2)

Industry & Workplace Trends

Recession spurs some workers to find new careers
The economic downturn has given some Americans opportunities to pursue careers they hadn't considered before, and to develop new skills. Experts note that many workers remain in jobs that don't make them happy until they are forced to move on. As a result, workers who are forced to pursue new opportunities after a layoff are often happier after leaving their old positions, experts say. USA TODAY (10/12)

Column: Succession plans create challenges for family businesses
Millions of family-owned businesses in the U.S. will face a leadership change by 2013 as more baby boomers retire from the workforce, experts say. Marshall Goldsmith and Steven Berglas are writing a book that addresses the challenges of succession in entrepreneurial family businesses. Goldsmith notes that many leaders of family businesses do not consider succession until their employees raise the issue. However, he notes that many company founders possess unique qualities, such as a willingness to accept risk, that will help them formulate a successful succession plan. Bloomberg (10/8)

Study: Effective communication of benefits may boost market value
Good benefit communications practices have the potential to boost a company's market value, according to a Watson Wyatt study. The most effective companies tend to make sure their workers understand the company's benefit programs, pay levels and bonus programs, the study finds. Employee Benefit Adviser (10/6)

AARP News

Study: How workers feel about saving for retirement
A recent survey on Americans' attitudes toward saving for retirement shows that employed adults continue to view automatic 401(k) plans in a positive light. Even if their plans lost value recently, most Americans think it is as important as ever to contribute to a 401(k) plan. The survey was conducted by Retirement Made Simpler, a coalition made up of AARP, FINRA and the Retirement Security Project. Learn more about the survey at www.Retirementmadesimpler.org (see "Resources & Research/Studies").

Law and Regulation

Experts weigh in on current state of age discrimination
Experts discuss the current state of age discrimination, in this New York Times piece. They talk about the soaring unemployment rate among older Americans as well as the discrimination that occurs when older workers are laid off, overlooked for a promotion or turned down for a job. NYTimes.com/Room for debate blogs (10/6)

Legislation would extend unemployment benefits
Key members of the Senate have agreed on a plan that, if passed, would extend unemployment benefits in all states for an additional 14 weeks. Under the proposal, unemployed workers in states with unemployment rates higher than 8.5% would receive an extension of 20 weeks. The nation's unemployment rate in September was 9.8%, the highest in about 25 years. "Unemployed workers use these benefits to buy essentials and pay the bills; extending unemployment benefits is one of the most effective actions we can take to stimulate the economy," noted Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill soon. Bloomberg (10/9)

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