Many older workers have little autonomy at work: Indicators of limited job control by age, 2018
| Age | Prime-age workers (35–49) | Older workers (50–70) |
|---|---|---|
| Any indicator of limited job control | 47.9% | 45.9% |
| Little choice in when to take breaks | 21.1% | 17.6% |
| Little influence on decisions important to work | 20.1% | 18.0% |
| No choice in work speed | 23.3% | 19.0% |
| No choice in work methods | 20.4% | 25.2% |
| No choice in task order | 22.1% | 23.0% |
Notes: The shares of workers with little choice in when to take breaks and little influence on decisions important to their work are those who said they “rarely” or “never” had such a choice or influence.
The shares of workers with little choice in when to take breaks and little influence on decisions important to their work are those who said they “rarely” or “never” had such a choice or influence. The shares with no choice in work speed, work methods, or task order were those who answered “no” to a question about whether they were able to choose or change these aspects of their jobs.
Source: Author’s analysis of 2018 American Working Conditions Survey microdata (RAND Corporation 2018).
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