Building on the rich array of literatures that explore women's ageing and employment, we conduct a comprehensive review of research on middle‐ and older‐age women and work (including menopause and post‐menopause). In reviewing these studies, we blend our interdisciplinary discussions across several domains. We reflect on the question: How are employed, middle‐ and older‐age women treated in organizations, and what are employers’ perceptions of these workers? Through our analysis, we identify and critique two predominant, conflicting yet inter‐related themes. These are, namely, notions of constraint (and women's supposed/perceived reduced competencies as they age) versus ideas of flexibility (foregrounding assumptions that employed women experience fewer limitations as they age). As a theoretical lens for theorizing the constraints theme, we draw upon the concept of abjection, highlighting how employer perceptions of women's health as supposedly diminishing can lead to discriminatory treatment at work. In analysing theoretical assumptions regarding apparently enhanced flexibility among middle‐ and older‐age women, we note how women's differing circumstances and requirements might go unrecognized. We argue the need to deepen theoretical understandings about ideas of flexibility during women's middle and older age. Reflecting on the limitations of both themes, we consider the implications for future research agendas.

中文翻译：

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中老年女性员工在工作中如何被看待和对待？回顾与分析

基于大量探讨女性老龄化和就业的文献，我们对中老年女性和工作（包括更年期和绝经后）的研究进行了全面回顾。在回顾这些研究时，我们将跨多个领域的跨学科讨论融合在一起。我们反思一下这个问题：组织中就业的中老年女性受到怎样的待遇？雇主对这些工人的看法如何？通过我们的分析，我们识别并批评了两个主要的、相互冲突但又相互关联的主题。这些是，即，的概念约束（以及女性随着年龄的增长而假定/感知到的能力下降）与灵活性（强调就业女性随着年龄的增长受到的限制较少的假设）。作为理论化的理论镜头限制条件在这一主题中，我们借鉴了“落魄”的概念，强调雇主认为女性健康状况正在恶化的看法如何导致工作中的歧视性待遇。在分析有关明显增强的理论假设时灵活性在中老年女性中，我们注意到女性的不同情况和要求可能会被忽视。我们认为有必要加深对中老年女性灵活性观念的理论理解。反思这两个主题的局限性，我们考虑对未来研究议程的影响。