Age and Pay Valence in a Production Field Setting

The relationship between age and the perceived value of pay (valence) was investigated for a sample of 453 nonunionized female employees at an American apparel plant. Pay valence was determined using a “pay addressing needs” format, suggested by Lawler (1971). For workers up to age 40, pay valence appeared higher for younger workers, but for workers older than 40 pay valence was unrelated to age. The ability of pay to satisfy specific Maslowian needs decreased with age (except with respect to physiological needs) for workers up to age 40.