Recent economic reports show the economy and workforce have largely returned to pre-pandemic levels. As of May, labor force participation rates for workers ages 25 to 34 and 55 to 64 are almost identical to rates just before COVID-19 started taking its toll on the economy. But not so for older workers, with the labor force participation rate for 65-plus workers still failing to reach pre-pandemic levels. While a financial need to work (particularly amid high inflation rates) may be one future driver of older workers returning to the workforce, employers also could play an active role through such actions as creating better working
conditions in the form of more flexibility and teleworking options, enticing workers back with higher wages, and recruiting and promoting an age-diverse workforce.
| 
