Abstract
Due to the global demographic change many more people will need to work until an
older age, and organisations and enterprises need to implement measures to facilitate an extended
working life. The aim of this study was to investigate organisational measures and suggestions
to promote and make improvements for a healthy and sustainable working life for all ages in an
extended working life. This is a qualitative study, and the data were collected through both focus
group interviews and individual interviews that included 145 participants. The study identified
several suggestions for measures and actions to increase employability in the themes: to promote a
good physical and mental work environment; to promote personal financial and social security; to
promote relations, social inclusion and social support in the work situation; and to promote creativity,
knowledge development and intrinsic work motivation, i.e., based on the spheres of determination in
the theoretical swAge-model (sustainable working life for all ages). Based on the study results a tool
for dialogue and discussion on employee work situation and career development was developed,
and presented in this article. Regular conversations, communication and close dialogue are needed
and are a prerequisite for good working conditions and a sustainable working environment, as well
as to be able to manage employees and develop the organisation further. The identified measures
need to be revisited regularly throughout the employees’ entire working life to enable a healthy and
sustainable working life for all ages.
older age, and organisations and enterprises need to implement measures to facilitate an extended
working life. The aim of this study was to investigate organisational measures and suggestions
to promote and make improvements for a healthy and sustainable working life for all ages in an
extended working life. This is a qualitative study, and the data were collected through both focus
group interviews and individual interviews that included 145 participants. The study identified
several suggestions for measures and actions to increase employability in the themes: to promote a
good physical and mental work environment; to promote personal financial and social security; to
promote relations, social inclusion and social support in the work situation; and to promote creativity,
knowledge development and intrinsic work motivation, i.e., based on the spheres of determination in
the theoretical swAge-model (sustainable working life for all ages). Based on the study results a tool
for dialogue and discussion on employee work situation and career development was developed,
and presented in this article. Regular conversations, communication and close dialogue are needed
and are a prerequisite for good working conditions and a sustainable working environment, as well
as to be able to manage employees and develop the organisation further. The identified measures
need to be revisited regularly throughout the employees’ entire working life to enable a healthy and
sustainable working life for all ages.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 5626 |
| Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2021 May 25 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Environmental Health and Occupational Health
Free keywords
- employability; ageing; senior; work environment; swAge-model; demography; retirement; global sustainable goal; public health; health promotion; health prevention; empowerment; occupational health care; psychosocial; working hours; recuperation; recovery; private finance; economy; work–life balance; manager; social support; discrimination; motivation; job satisfaction; competence; work ability; creativity; gerontology; older worker; extended working life; age management
