scholarly journals Work profiles of older employees in Germany-results from the lidA-cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Martin Hasselhorn ◽  
Michael Stiller ◽  
Jean-Baptist du Prel ◽  
Melanie Ebener
Keyword(s):  
Work Ability ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Health Work ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Work Intensity ◽  
Work Exposure ◽  
Older Employees

Abstract Background This study investigates whether a typology of work exposure can be established among older workers in Germany. Work exposure comprises physical work, working time quality, work intensity, skills & discretion, social environment, leadership, continued education, earnings and work prospects. Methods Latent profile analysis was conducted on a representative sample of the socially insured workforce in Germany born in 1959 or 1965 (N = 6277). Seven year-prospective associations between the typology and work-related outcomes (physical and mental health, work ability and work-privacy-conflict) were investigated to establish the distinctness of the profiles. Results Five profiles were identified: “Poor Quality” (19%), “Relaxed Manuals” (30%), “Strained non-Manuals” (16%), “Smooth Running” (33%) and “High Flying” (3%). These profiles exhibited diverging patterns of association with the selected outcomes, thus representing qualitatively distinct subgroups of older workers in Germany. Conclusions We conclude that a typological approach may broaden the understanding of the ageing work force and the complex interplay of the overall work situation with outcomes of high individual and social relevance such as health, work ability and employment. The five work profiles identified in this study may constitute crucial clusters needed to reliably mirror today’s over-all work exposure patterns in the older work force in Germany. They may allow for the comprehensible monitoring of quality of work and personal life among the older work force during their last working years and their transition to retirement in current times of extending working lives.

scholarly journals Important work demands for reducing sickness absence among workers with neck or upper back pain: a prospective cohort study

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Oliv ◽  
Ewa Gustafsson ◽  
Adnan Noor Baloch ◽  
Mats Hagberg ◽  
Helena Sandén
Keyword(s):  
Back Pain ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Work Demands ◽  
Work Demand ◽  
Physical Work Demands ◽  
Work Ability Score

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate what exposure to work demands, physical and psychosocial, is associated with lower levels of sickness absence among workers with neck or upper back pain in different groups, by age, gender, duration of sickness absence and work ability score. Methods This study was a prospective study of 4567 workers with neck or upper back pain. Data on neck or upper back pain, work demand and work ability were obtained from the Swedish Work Environment survey over a 3–year period (2009–2013). Register data on sickness absence, 1 year after each survey was conducted, were obtained from the Swedish health insurance database. Analyses were performed to estimate the association between self-reported work demands and registered sick days > 14 days. The analyses were stratified for gender, age group and work ability score. Results Lower numbers of sick days were found for workers reporting low exposure to lifting ≥15 kg and twisted or forward-leaning work postures. Lower numbers of sick days were found for workers reporting high work control and seated work. The associations were generally stronger in the older age groups for the physical work demands. Conclusions The findings in this study suggest that certain physical work demands and having high control over one’s work can result in lower sickness absence, especially among middle-aged and older workers with neck or upper back pain.

scholarly journals From Work Ability Research to Implementation

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (16) ◽  
pp. 2882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilmarinen
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Work Disability ◽  
Early Retirement ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Employment Rates

Work ability research started in Finland in the 1990s due to the challenges of work force aging. The employment rates of older workers (55+) were below 40% and early retirement and work disability rates were rather common in many European countries. The work ability concept and methods were developed and broad international research activities started in the 1990s. A comprehensive promotion model for work ability was created aiming to prevent work ability from declining during aging. However, to be able to impact the work ability is a complicated and difficult task, and requires effects on human resources, work arrangements, and management. Therefore, only a limited number of intervention studies have shown an improvement of work ability during aging. This article introduces some possibilities regarding how to make work ability interventions more successful.

scholarly journals Strong Labour Market Inequality of Opportunities at the Workplace for Supporting a Long and Healthy Work-Life: The SeniorWorkingLife Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars L. Andersen ◽  
Per H. Jensen ◽  
Annette Meng ◽  
Emil Sundstrup
Keyword(s):  
Labour Market ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Working Life ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Access To Treatment ◽  
State Pension

Most European countries are gradually increasing the state pension age, but this may run counter to the capabilities and wishes of older workers. The objective of this study is to identify opportunities in the workplace for supporting a prolonged working life in different groups in the labour market. A representative sample of 11,200 employed workers ≥ 50 years responded to 15 questions in random order about opportunities at their workplace for supporting a prolonged working life. Respondents were stratified based on the Danish version of the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO). Using frequency and logistic regression procedures combined with model-assisted weights based on national registers, results showed that the most common opportunities at the workplace were possibilities for more vacation, reduction of working hours, flexible working hours, access to treatment, further education and physical exercise. However, ISCO groups 5–9 (mainly physical work and shorter education) had in general poorer access to these opportunities than ISCO groups 1–4 (mainly seated work and longer education). Women had poorer access than men, and workers with reduced work ability had poorer access than those with full work ability. Thus, in contrast with actual needs, opportunities at the workplace were lower in occupations characterized by physical work and shorter education, among women and among workers with reduced work ability. This inequality poses a threat to prolonging working life in vulnerable groups in the labour market.

scholarly journals The relationship between voluntary employer change and work ability among older workers: investigating the honeymoon-hangover effect

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Garthe ◽  
Hans Martin Hasselhorn
Keyword(s):  
Work Ability ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Older Employees ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Fixed Effects Regression ◽  
Employer Change ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThe aim of the study was to investigate the effect of voluntary employer changes on self-reported work ability among older workers in Germany and whether a honeymoon-hangover effect (HHE) exists here. In research on job satisfaction, three typical periods around a voluntary employer change characterize a HHE: a deterioration in the old job (deterioration), an initial increase in the new job (honeymoon) and a subsequent decline over time (hangover). Whether a HHE exists in respect to work ability following a voluntary employer change remained open. The analyses are based on data from the first three waves of the lidA study (2011, 2014, 2018), a representative cohort study of older employees in Germany born in 1959 or 1965. Data from 2502 workers who participated in all three study waves was analyzed. Fixed-effects regression analyses including lag and lead variables were conducted. A deterioration, honeymoon and hangover period were found. Work ability increased substantially following the voluntary employer change. Our study shows that voluntary employer changes have the potential to maintain work ability at higher working age, but not to increase the work ability in the long-term perspective. However, despite the existence of a hangover period, the positive overall effect of the voluntary change should not be underestimated.

scholarly journals O3B.2 Occupational exposures and sickness absence trajectories among finnish employees: a register linked nationally representative follow-up study

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A24.1-A24
Author(s):  
Tea Lallukka ◽  
Leena Kaila-Kangas ◽  
Minna Mänty ◽  
Johanna Seppänen ◽  
Eija Haukka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Physical Workload ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Nationally Representative

BackgroundPhysical workload factors have been linked to the risk of sickness absence, however, some work exposures can also be protective of work ability. We aimed to first identify sickness absence trajectories in a nationally representative occupational cohort, and second to examine the associations between physical workload factors, potential protective factors and sickness absence trajectories.MethodsWe examined a nationally representative cohort of working aged Finnish adults interviewed and medically examined at baseline in 2000–2001 (n=3814). Both potentially protective (sitting and keyboard use) and risk factors (e.g. handling of heavy loads and vibration) were included. All medically confirmed sickness absence periods 2002–2008 were included in the trajectory analyses to identify latent groups with similar sickness absence trends. These data were derived from the registers of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors, health behaviors and physical and mental health.ResultsWe found a group with a very low level, a group with a stable low level, and a group with a high and increasing level of sickness absence. After full adjustments, prolonged sitting and use of keyboard emerged as protective factors that were associated with a lower risk of belonging to the trajectory with high and increasing sickness absence (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.45–0.80). In turn, the risk increased with the number of physical workload factors reported, and was highest for those with four or more workload factors (HR 2.84; 95% 2.08–3.88).ConclusionsPhysical work is associated with the risk of long-term sickness absence, with the highest risk found for those with several different physical workload factors. As the risk remained after controlling for various pertinent risk factors, this highlights the need to find ways to better maintain work ability of those with the physically most strenuous work.

scholarly journals Associations of sustained smoking and smoking cessation with work-related outcomes: a longitudinal analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid A. Troelstra ◽  
Cécile R. L. Boot ◽  
Janneke Harting ◽  
Goedele A. Geuskens ◽  
Anton E. Kunst ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Sickness Absence ◽  
Work Ability ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Productivity Loss ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Older Employees ◽  
Multivariable Regression ◽  
Multivariable Regression Models

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the association between sustained smoking and quitting with work-related outcomes among older workers. Methods We categorized a sample of older employees into non-smokers, sustained smokers and quitters. Multivariable regression models were used to test longitudinal associations of sustained smoking and smoking cessation with sickness absence, productivity loss and work ability. Results We included 3612 non-smokers, 673 sustained smokers and 246 quitters. Comparing sustained smokers to non-smokers, we found higher (but not statistically significant) sickness absence for sustained smokers [1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.16–2.17]. We did not find differences in productivity loss (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.60–1.13) and work ability (0.05, 95% CI −0.05–0.15). For employees with a relatively high physical health at baseline, comparing quitters to sustained smokers, we found higher (but not statistically significant) productivity loss for quitters (OR 2.23, 95% CI 0.94–5.31), and no difference in sickness absence (0.10, 95% CI − 2.67–2.87), and work ability (− 0.10, 95% CI −  0.36–0.16). For employees with a relatively low physical health at baseline, comparing quitters to sustained smokers, we found a statistically significant lower work ability (− 0.31, 95% CI − 0.57–0.05), and no difference in sickness absence (2.53, 95% CI − 1.29–6.34) and productivity loss (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.66–2.39). Conclusions We found no evidence that sustained smokers have less favorable work-related outcomes than non-smokers or that quitters have more favorable work-related outcomes than sustained smokers. The benefits of smoking cessation for employers might take a longer time to develop.

scholarly journals Development and Validation of Age-Friendly Employment Measurement

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 64-65
Author(s):  
Mi Sun Choi ◽  
Holly Dabelko-Schoeny ◽  
Katie White ◽  
Marisa Sheldon
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Delphi Study ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Large City ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Measurement Tool ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Organizational Size ◽  
Older Employees

Abstract Scholars have paid attention to the concept of age-friendly to address aging workforce issues. Although prior research has been conducted to conceptualize age-friendly work environments by investigating older workers’ perspectives, little is known about the practices and conditions that promote organizations to employ older employees longer and theory driving measurement of age-friendly employment (AFE). To address these knowledge gaps, we developed the AFE measurement tool based on the existing measures, focus group data, two-round Delphi study and a pilot test. We collected primary data from human resource professionals working in a large city in the midwestern state and evaluated the reliability and validity of the AFE measurement using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results supported the hypothesized five-factor structure. We obtained 16 indicators of AFE: 1) accommodation: fewer physical work demands, reduced work hours, mobility and transportation support; 2) development: career advice, a training needs assessment, and training opportunities to employees all ages; 3) maintenance: financial and medical benefits for full-time workers of all ages, and wellness programs benefits for full-time and part-time workers; 4) utilization: move into a different position, involvement in decision making, knowledge or skills transfer). Accommodation, maintenance, and inclusion factors were predicted by organizational size. A major strength of this study was that the AFE measurement was constructed using a lifespan theory (Selection Optimization Compensation model). The findings of the current study enable employers to self-monitor their ability to employ and retain older employees, especially for small organizations with less than 20 employees.

scholarly journals Patients with complex proximal tibial fractures overestimate the prognosis of their injury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lena Keppler ◽  
Alexander Martin Keppler ◽  
Christoph Ihle ◽  
Philipp Minzlaff ◽  
Julian Fürmetz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Return To Work ◽  
Tibial Fracture ◽  
Knee Function ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Return To Sports ◽  
Work Intensity ◽  
Proximal Tibial Fracture ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Patient Comprehension ◽  
Group B

Abstract Purpose To investigate, if patients with complex proximal tibial fracture have realistic expectations on open reduction and internal fixation. Methods 114 patients (mean 49 years, SD ± 13) with closed AO-type B and C proximal tibial fracture were grouped (group B, respectively C). Prior to surgery expectations concerning knee function, pain, return to work/sports, and the risk for osteoarthritis was assessed with the Hospital for Special Surgery-Knee Surgery Expectations Survey (HFSS-KSE) and a non-validated ten-item survey. Results 92% of patients expected at least an almost natural knee postoperatively. All items regarding restoring knee function were ranked to be at least important in both groups. 65% in group B and 47% in group C expected at most occasional pain. 83% in group B and 67% in group C expected full return to work without any limitations. Patients with low physical work intensity expected significantly shorter incapacity to work in both groups (7.8, respectively 8.9 weeks). 71% in group B and 60% in group C expected to return to sports with at most small limitations. 33% in group B and 22% in group C assumed risk for osteoarthritis will be prevented by surgery. Conclusion Expectations on surgery for complex proximal tibial fracture are high regardless of fracture type. The prognosis of many health and lifestyle domains was overestimated. The risk for osteoarthritis was underestimated. This study should sensitize surgeons to discuss realistic expectations. This may help to improve patient comprehension what leads to sensible expectations, resulting in improved patients´ satisfaction. Level of evidence IV. Trial registration number 14104, Date of registration: 06/2015.

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