Age diversity management in small and medium enterprises from the Poznań poviat - results of the study

Purpose: The main aim of the article is to present the concept of age diversity management and selected results of own research study made on SMEs from the Poznań poviat. The choice of the area of interest results from the fact that over the last several decades, both the population and the labor force are aging. Such a situation may lead to a reduction in the total number of people employed, investments through a decrease in savings and an increase in pressure on the pension system and the state budget. Design/methodology/approach: Fifty SMEs from the Poznań poviat of the Greater Poland voivodeship participated in the study. In addition, enterprises should employ a minimum of 4 people up to 50 and a minimum of 4 over 50 years old. The survey was carried out using the CATI and PAPI methods. Findings: Based on the research, it can be indicated that the vast majority of SMEs in the analyzed area do not have an age management system in place. Moreover, the needs of the older workers are not realized enough by the managers. Research limitations/implications: It would be better to conduct a survey on a bigger research trail in next edition. Practical implications: It is important to encourage enterprises through trainings and co-financing to implement an age management system, in particular when one can observe the demographic changes worldwide. Originality/value: The originality of the work is sought in an attempt to examine whether SMEs from the Poznań poviat take into account needs of older employees and adapt working conditions to them. Accordingly, the article analyzes the answers made by respondents according to four basic spheres of age management process. What is more, it suggests how to improve the issues badly assessed in the survey.