BY PAM LOBLEY

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

NOW THAT'S FUNNY

Though most people are retired by the age of 75, new data shows that the percentage of people in the workforce who are 75 or older has increased to 7.6% in 2012.  That is 76% higher than 20 years ago.

According to USA Today, there are several reasons for this.  The obvious one of course, is economic.  Many folks just can’t afford to retire.  But other older workers simply love their jobs and want to keep working.  If the work is not labor intensive, it is easy to continue working if one feels healthy and strong.  And even if one doesn’t actually need the money, extra funds are always welcome as health costs for seniors continue to increase.

As older people continue working, we may all see some changes in our workplace.  For instance, retail outlets may have to “turn that loud music down.”  Coffee breaks might be augmented to include Maalox and Ensure.

The dress code at offices will most assuredly get modified:  women will wear hose and carry a small, smart handbag.  Men will forgo Dockers for suits. Both genders will wear hats again.

Temperatures in the office will be 75 degrees, though this still might seem chilly to some workers.  The copy room will have sofas so you can take a quick nap while your document collates.  Computer screens will be extra large to display large typeface.

Everyone will address each other as “Mr.” or “Ms.” instead of first names or “dude.”  The workday will end at 4, so we can all get home to eat dinner at 5.  The overall pace of the workplace will all move a little more slowly, despite the fact that, well, “you young people are always in a rush.”

Come to think of it, it sounds fantastic.

***Pam Lobley writes the “Now That’s Funny” column.  Check out her blog:  Better Living Through Chaos! Follow her on twitter @plobley.