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Aging workforce
Work Views
Aging workforce
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We have several employees who are in their late 50's and cannot physically perform their jobs any longer. We have a warehouse where their jobs require that they lift, stand on their feet for long peri
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Forums » Topic Forums » Work Views » Aging workforce
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 4:07 AM EST
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Posts: 4
First: 1/2/2007 Last: 2/23/2011 |
Does anyone know people in their 50s who are strong? I do! I am shocked that people in their 50's are weak! I am only familiar with strong healthy people way into their 70s and 80s! These are people who go to the gym, who care about their bodies, and for whom couch potato is a bad word. They are extremely capable of the doing any work necessary. I for one, am 56. I do 400 situps, 40 mens pushups, lift barbells, and climb 60 flights of stairs every day. Though I have certainly worked out more than this and have been in superb shape in the past, this keeps me strong enough. I have energy, I am fast and innovative. My father is 84 and he waterskis. He was a factory worker for over 40 years and never got weak.
I suspect we are as strong as we make ourselves. It's not about 40 or 50 or 60 or 70, retire or not retire. People should be invited to look at their lifestyle. I heard a morbidly obese man at the elevator say just the other day, "It's time to go home, have a couple of beers, watch TV. What can be better than that?" This is a true story!! I suggest offering a health club membership or putting a gym on-site. People can take on a workout regimine under professional supervision and win for themselves, their families, and their workplace. |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 4:29 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 1/2/2007 Last: 1/2/2007 |
I would propose utilizing these seasoned members is a supervisory role. The other option is to implememt a physical fitness program. All members would participate in the program held by an outside facility. They would walk out knowing where their health stands currently and what they need to implement so they will be able to perform their jobs more effectivley and reduce the potential of injury |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 4:32 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 1/2/2007 Last: 1/2/2007 |
[quote]
On 2005-06-23 02:30, cassina wrote: Perhaps look at lifting aids and workplace layout to minimise the period of time they must stand for. Also Job Rotation. There may be some who could be interested in a retirement package. [/quote] Yah maybe they can change the whole company for them. |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 4:42 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 9/28/2004 Last: 1/2/2007 |
The workforce is aging. That is a fact. Now with the decline of Defined Benefits HR will see people staying longer and longer because they will not be financially able to retire.
Here is the point, you should look at how you are having the work done and design it so older workers can get it done. If you don't do it now, you will pay later. Be very careful of reaching a conclusion that someone in their late 50's isn't physically able to do the work. I know alot of 50 and 60 year olds that can run circles around younger workers mentally and in some cases physically. Why? Because they know what they are doing. Treat em right and you will reap the benefits. If you don't, expect more and more age related legal challenges. |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 4:55 AM EST
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Posts: 4
First: 12/26/2002 Last: 1/2/2007 |
I have an employee who is soon to be 85- the head of a parts stockroom, who can not hear all that well- also, is not performing to the level of satisfaction of his superiors-not computer literate, somewhat beligerant etc.
Allegedly he has said to co-workers that he isn't going to retire because he knows he will die if he does. We are unionized- I know in the private sector he would have been gone a long time ago- It is a definite barrier to progress in that organization. |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 5:41 AM EST
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Posts: 11
First: 12/20/2006 Last: 1/27/2009 |
You obviously care about these employees, otherwise you would not have posted this question. Personnally, I would rather work with an older employee than a younger. I am mid way between the two. I wouldn't just dismiss them from the company. Older employees are more responsible, settled and hard working that alot of the younger generation who are hop scotching jobs for pay and status and are not as settled as your older workers. I am also a firm believer that if a company takes care of their employees, their employees will take care of the company. Positive feed back from these individuals could be a benefit to moral and help to reduce some of the hop scotching of the younger generation. Older people are not out of reach for learning either. If their physical capabilities have become limited, that doesn't mean their minds are shot. I would try to find other suitable positions that they could be cross-trained into. |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 9:58 AM EST
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Posts: 7
First: 7/27/2004 Last: 10/15/2008 |
We, too, are facing the challenge of an aging workforce. Work succession, and finding/developing qualified new workers is a big issue for us.
As an electric utility, a major portion of our workforce perform physically demanding jobs. Succession planning offers us the opportunity to re-examine how work is performed to see if it is being done in the safest, most efficient manner possible. What we're finding is that looking at how we can make the work easier for our older workers to perform leads us to better methods for the younger workers to do it. In addition, the older workers get to be on the cutting edge for these new methods, and can teach the younger how to use them. Far from feeling marginalized, they are known as valuable employees helping the company and sharing their knowledge with the next generation. In the long run, we believe that the expense involved in developing work practices that accommodate older workers will pay off in future efficiencies and fewer injuries for everyone. |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/2/2007 9:19 PM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 1/2/2007 Last: 1/2/2007 |
Aeging as a biological phenomenon brings limitation to the physical capacity of workforce. However there is one advantage that with the passing years the person has gained experience which according to Neil Armstrong - "Perfect is a man who has committed all possible mistakes in the narrow field of knowledge".
With this approach, company should look forward to tranference of this experience to the young generation employee, which can benefit the organisation, young workforce and the fading outs also. There can be various methods to overcome the physical limitaions like providing a person as next to assignment, rotation of job, redifining job contents and so on. Prof. S Chhabra |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/3/2007 1:39 AM EST
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Posts: 1
First: 1/3/2007 Last: 1/3/2007 |
I would suggest you contact your local Rehabilitation Agency to meet with the Rehab Engineer. There are many different low-cost or no-cost options available for you. You can also refer to the JAN website. . . . Job Accomodation Network for further services and ideas. Best of luck to you and your loyal staff!
Lisa Zahralddin, Regional Business Development Manager VA DRS lisa.z@drs.virginia.gov |
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Aging workforce
posted at 1/3/2007 3:50 AM EST
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Posts: 21
First: 11/21/2006 Last: 7/7/2011 |
Wow, what an interesting topic, and such a variety of responses!
It seems to me that if people as young as 50 are having trouble doing the physical labor, there is something wrong here. I suspect that the problem lies with the job and not the worker. The situation needs to be analyzed. My guess is that automation could help with much of the physical work. Of course this costs the company money up front, but saves money in the long run by modernizing the system and increasing production. Join the 21st century - there's no reason for people to do heavy lifting anymore when machines can! (This will also save you workers compensation costs.) It is vital that these loyal long-term employees be given the opportunity to keep their jobs, have their jobs re-designed, or be given other positions within the organization. Early retirement should only be offered if the retirement package is a livable one, and should not be forced on anyone. Many of the other suggestions that have been posted are excellent also, but dherrm1's response is the epitomy of corporate evil - just because the law allows a company to fire someone who can't perform the job doesn't mean they should, especially in a situation such as this. So, figure out what the real problem is, and fix it! |
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