Employers' management of the health and safety at work of older workers in the manufacturing sector

Abstract

The thesis focuses on the different management strategies employers adopt to counteract the difficulties faced by older workers. It tries to investigate how aware employers are to the nature of such cohort. Results obtained show how although employers provide older workers the possibility to work flexible, such accommodations are difficult to provide, depending on the nature, position and roles held by older workers. Employers are in agreement on how they perceive older workers as resistant to training which involves learning skills related to technology and which is different from their line of work. Yet, training is based on needs and age neutral. They are also knowledgeable on the health complaints experienced by older workers and the work-related stressors affecting such cohort. To counteract such difficulties, the employers engage in preventive measures to ensure a safe workplace for older workers. Necessary actions taken by management include buying ergonomic equipment or provide alternative work. Job rotation is also considered in this respect. Employers understand the different work-related stress experienced by older workers which tend to arise due to age gap difference between supervisors and coworkers, due to a changing work environment and stress resulting from the nature of the job itself Keeping an open dialogue is one way how to reduce stress amongst older workers.