The world of work in the context of demographic change

Owing to demographic change in the European industrialized countries, which is the subject of much discussion, increasing numbers of employees will have to work to an older age before retiring. "Remaining fit for work longer" is therefore a prevention target on which businesses increasingly require advice. The IAG has addressed this subject in several projects on behalf of the accident insurance institutions in Research and consultancy, Training and Events. In some cases, the issues have been addressed within the Initiative Health and Work. A selection of the activities is presented here:

  Research and consultancy

• Based upon analyses of changes in people's strengths and weaknesses as they age, model workplaces were developed in the areas of assembly and VDU work. These workplaces were set up and trialled in consideration of the findings of basic research in the areas of ergonomics and work science. It was found that the majority of impairments occurring in old age were already compensated for by good ergonomic design. Beyond this principle, only a small number of special measures are required in order to adapt the workplaces to the needs of older employees. Design for the needs of older employees also benefits their younger colleagues. The consequence is therefore: prevention for all generations.
• Ironing workplaces are often found in smaller businesses such as dry cleaners, laundries, etc. With the co-operation of the BG responsible for the textile industry and the BGIA Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, this project identified the critical design features of the workplaces which can be optimized by manufacturers or users without major investment in order to enable older employees, in particular, to retain their workplaces.
• Occupations which make high physical demands (such as the construction and metal trades) consequently lead to early retirement or to unemployment among older employees as a result of work-related stresses more frequently than do other occupations. A realistic strategy for the selection of suitable applicants is therefore drawn up for the businesses, together with comprehensive, targeted vocational counselling. This enables the requirements profile of the occupation to be compared to the applicant's performance, and recommendations for retraining to be made as early as possible. This is the aspect addressed by the iga project "My next occupation - occupations of limited duration".
• iga barometer 2007: This representative survey asked the question: "Can you imagine doing your current job until you are 65?" 49% of the men and no less than 55% of the women had difficulty imagining remaining in their existing jobs to retirement age, or ruled it out altogether. Comparison of the occupations shows that a high proportion of female employees in the health services, schools and social work who were consulted do not believe that they will be able to continue in their jobs until the age of 65. This was stated by 45% of female teachers and female social workers, and by 40% of employees in the health services.
• Accident data from the BG responsible for the woodworking sector were evaluated with regard to the cause of the accidents and the age of the accident victims. An initial analysis revealed that in the member companies of this BG, younger employees suffered accidents more frequently than their older counterparts. Within the woodworking industry, insured individuals aged up to 25 faced the highest risk of accident, irrespective of the tools employed and the sub-sector.
• Older employees on the Internet: an eye tracker was used to study what part of a web page is viewed by a person and for how long. This permits conclusions regarding whether relevant information can be absorbed, and how long viewers take to find specific buttons. The comparison between groups of younger and older persons shows that contrary to all expectations, no significant differences exist between them in their use of the web pages.

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  Training

• Based upon the INQA curriculum, a series of seminars leading to the qualification of "Demographics Consultant" was developed at the IAG. With the aid of three modules, prevention experts are equipped to provide a realistic estimate of the future demographic development of their company, and its consequences. Proven measures are taught for retention of employees' capacity for innovation.
• The subject is also taken up in further seminars, such as Life Experience and Vocation: the design of work in the context of demographic change.

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  Events

• The ageing of our society has implications for the use of machinery and equipment at work, in addition to that of everyday items. What, however, are the requirements of older people? How must equipment and everyday products be designed in order for people to be able to use them without difficulty, at any age and irrespective of impairments to their performance resulting from age? These and similar questions were addressed by the conference under the heading "Product design for all: FOR THE YOUNG = FOR THE OLD?".
• The series of events under the heading "Working healthily safely, and longer", which forms part of the joint IGA Initiative Health and Work project, is held annually, with a shift in focus each year. With the sub-heading "My next occupation", the event held on 12 and 13 March 2009 addressed issues such as: how can demanding occupations be pursued through to retirement age? And should this not be possible: what form of vocational reorientation is possible? Who provides support in reorientation?