AGEING AND HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN THE PORTUGUESE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: THE CASE OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

Aging is one of the most significant and challenging phenomena, for both society and organizations, with direct implications on Human Resources Management. In this sense, it is imperative that managers apply human resources management practices (HRMP) appropriate to the age of the workers. Thus, it is essential to understand the influence of these practices on the retention and intention of workers to retire, including in the public sector, since in this sector an increasingly aging workforce also stands out. In this context, it was developed a study in Portuguese public sector, specifically in Higher Education Institutions, which has two main objectives: 1) to investigate the workers’ perception of the HRMP established in organizations, as well as the importance attributed to them; 2) to explore the relationship between HRMP and workers’ expectations and intention to retire, analyzing the moderating role of age in this relationship. It was used a quantitative methodology, involving a questionnaire to collect the data. The results suggest that there are some differences in terms of perception and appreciation of HRMP among respondents of various age classes, showing the absence of an alignment between existing practices in organizations and those public workers consider most important. On the other hand, it was found that the importance attributed to HRMP does not influence the intention of public workers to remain in the organization or to retire.