Older workers' adjustments to plant closures

This article investigates whether older workers affected by plant closures are more likely to be "discouraged" from participation in the labour force and to be "bitter" towards employers as well as whether they are less likel y to report "career growth" in subsequent employment situations. The data i ndicated that older workers are less likely to report the poisoning effect and more likely to report the career-growth effect. In addition, post-closu re training activities reduced the likelihood of the discouraged-worker eff ect for the 45-55 age group. The respondents from the older age groups who undertook post-closure training activities were more likely to report the p oisoning effect and less likely to report the career-growth effect. In the final section, we argue that the results relate to the definition of the ag e groups, the transferability of human capital, and the value of community support. We also highlight the implications of the results for public and i nstitutional policies.