Back to top
Ernst & Young: Quality in Everything We Do
Global Home > US Home > Services > Human Capital > 2007 Aging U.S. Workforce Survey: Challenges and Responses -- An Ongoing Review
REPORT COVER: Aging U.S. Workforce Survey: Challenges and Responses — An Ongoing Review

Print |

2007 Aging U.S. Workforce Survey: Challenges and Responses–An Ongoing Review


As a follow-up to our 2006 report, this new survey polled Fortune 1000 HR executives to benchmark changes in corporate attitudes as the workforce ages, and examines the related operational issues employers face today.

The theme running through the 2007 report is the overall gap in strategy. Corporate America remains unprepared for the “brain drain” coming from aging baby boomers, leaving themselves open to economic and productivity challenges.

For example, 41% of respondents are concerned about middle management level employees being most affected by the brain drain, yet of those who have succession-planning programs in place, 75% monitor only senior management. With this gap in strategy, it becomes nearly impossible to prevent a wisdom withdrawal when programs are targeted towards the wrong demographic.

Our conclusion: Communication needs to increase among all lines of service on issues related to the aging workforce. When it comes to meeting the challenges of this demographic, employers must breakdown corporate silos and work together to form a centralized approach that will protect the health of the company. These issues are bigger and more complex than can be solved individually.

To obtain the report, which includes insight for overcoming the strategic planning gap, complete a quick request form.

Related reading

Facing the challenges of the aging workforce.
The results of Ernst & Young’s latest “Aging Workforce Survey: Challenges and Responses” was the subject of a recent Thought Center Webcast. If you missed the discussion of findings from our survey of HR executives, you can listen to an audio archive to find out more about operational issues such as succession planning, pensions, compensation and health care, as well as aging-workforce issues that employers are tackling successfully.

Survey finds employers need to plan for aging workforce.
As the baby boom generation approaches retirement, losing their accumulated business wisdom ought to be a concern for employers, according to our 2006 report, "The Aging of the U.S. Workforce: Employer Challenges and Responses" (pdf, 146K).

Human Capital

Podcasts and RSS News Feeds

Click for E&Y Podcast Directory  Ernst & Young Podcast
Click for E&Y RSS Feed URL  Ernst & Young RSS

Corporate America remains unprepared for looming boomer brain drain

Many employers in the United States remain unprepared for the looming brain drain stemming from the aging of the “baby boomer” generation, leaving themselves open to economic and productivity challenges if strategic plans are not put in place over the next five years, according to a new report by Ernst & Young LLP. To see other report highlights, read the press release.

Human capital investment

Our approach is designed to help you align your human resources (HR) plans, programs, and systems with your overall global business strategy.

Ernst & Young refers to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited (EYG), a UK private company limited by guarantee. EYG is the principal governance entity of the global Ernst & Young organization and does not provide any services to clients. Services are provided by EYG member firms. Each of EYG and its member firms is a separate legal entity and has no liability for another such entity's acts or omissions. Certain content on this site may have been prepared by one or more EYG member firms.