A Lifespan Perspective on Intrinsic Motivation and Workplace Democracy

In this paper we argue that too little attention has been directed to age-related psychological and relational conditions for creating viable forms of democracy in the workplace. Working life is complex and there are many factors throughout the working life journey that affect individuals and how they feel, can, want, have the energy, are heard, motivated and cope with their working life. Currently, retirement age and pensions are being postponed in most countries and more and more people will work to an older age in the future. Ageing in working life and the situation of older employees in the workplace is therefore very relevant. Age could and needs to be defined variously in relation to different areas of work-life participation and employability. Chronological, biological, cognitive and social age and ageing during an increasingly longer working life affect in different ways individuals’ opportunity for motivation, power and workplace democracy. A systematic approach to facilitate working life for all ages, and a lifespan perspective on intrinsic motivation and workplace democracy is needed.