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Better With Age: Strengthening Your Workforce and Productivity
The document discusses strategies for managing an aging workforce. It notes that the American workforce is aging, with 40 million workers expected to be over 55 years old by 2016. Older workers tend to have fewer injuries but more severe ones when injured. The document provides recommendations for modifying jobs, workspaces, and strategies to accommodate physical changes in aging workers, such as deteriorating vision and hearing, and reduced flexibility and strength. It also discusses strategies for keeping older workers engaged after an injury through communication and modified duty roles.
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Better With Age: Strengthening Your Workforce and Productivity
- 1. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. Better With Age: Strengthening Your Workforce and Productivity
- 2. Sedgwick © 2012Confidential– Do not disclose or distribute. 2 Susan Shemanski Vice President Client Services Sedgwick
- 3. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 3 In 2008 – 28 Million Workers over age 55 In 2016 – 40 Million Workers will be over 55 Younger workforce will only increase by 5-7% 2008 AARP study reported that 70% of US workers plan on working past retirement age Part of increase due to Baby Boomers American Workforce is Changing Part due to economy Concerns over rising health care costs
- 4. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 4 Value Your Mature Workers Keep them healthy on the job Prevent workplace injuries Speed return to work times after injuries
- 5. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 5 NCCI Study on Aging Workforce Older Workers have the fewest number of work related injuries Workers 35 and older have 50% higher loss severities Higher wages are key to higher indemnity severity Older workers have more rotator cuff and knee injuries. Younger workers more back and ankle sprains Older workers require more treatments per claim
- 6. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 6 Issues that Impact Older Workers Deteriorating eyesight & hearing Less physical flexibility & strength Slower reaction times Reduced ability to concentrate Loss of balance More pre-existing conditions
- 7. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 7 Higher Stress Levels Family demands Boomerang children to care for Grandchildren to help raise Aging parents to care for
- 8. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 8 Benefits • Expertise • Loyalty • Commitment to quality • Better judgment • Make outstanding mentors Benefits of Older Workers
- 9. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 9 Managing Your Aging Workforce Find a good match to worker’s capabilities and the job demands Modify jobs to respond to age related changes Wellness programs Promote supervisor and co-worker engagement with injured workers RTW programs help you retain experience and talent
- 10. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 10 Aging Facts • Strength - 25-30% decrease at age 65 • Flexibility - 18-20% decrease at age 65 • Balance - 1/3 of 65 years or older fall each year • Sight - All aspects deteriorate • Reaction time and speed - Decreases • Hearing - 1/3 of 65-74 year olds have problems • Manual Dexterity - Decreases • Body Fat - Increases
- 11. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 11 Workspace Design Above the Shoulder • Vision • Hearing • Cognitive ability Below the Shoulder • Strength • Heat stress • Shift work • Connective tissue • Musculoskeletal disorders • Trips, slips, falls
- 12. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 12 Strategies • Increase lighting by 20-30% • Provide both visual and audio information to machine operators • Use LED lighting to make defects more visible • Avoid use of small print on instructions and equipment • Use LCD displays for reduced glare • Slow the rate of information presentation Above the Shoulder Strategies
- 13. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 13 Strategies • Don’t use a foot pedal from a standing position • Improve illumination for walking surfaces and stairs • Clear markings on the first and last 2 steps • Avoid swing shift scheduling • When precision tools are needed, provide a higher coefficient of friction between the operator’s fingers and the tool surface Below the Shoulder Strategies
- 14. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 14 Strategies • Reaction times - avoid working at heights, working in windy conditions and on slippery surfaces • Balance - avoid work areas with marble or polished floors which tend to be slippery • Balance - non-slip soles on shoes • Balance - uneven walk surfaces, clutter such as dust, debris and cords Sensory Strategies
- 15. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 15 Strategies • Regular exercise and training • Team older workers with younger workers • Design and assign jobs with physical capabilities in mind • Avoid repetitive tasks and prolonged standing • Use anti-fatigue mats and mechanical aids • Sit/Stand workstations and adjustable chairs Physical Strength Strategies
- 16. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 16 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Regular exercise Avoid work in very hot or very cold environments Physically demanding jobs should be self paced or appropriate durations
- 17. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 17 Strategies • Assistive technology (digital assistants, electronic calendars, timers) • Instructive cues (text and illustrative) • Refresher training courses • Increased opportunities for practicing tasks Neurological Strategies
- 18. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 18 Signs that Aging is having an Impact • Fatigue and tripping • Loss of patience and irritability • Feedback from supervisors on declining performance • Numbers and patterns of sick days • History of minor injuries and near misses
- 19. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 19 Strategies Strategies Companies Implemented Training to upgrade skills Reducing work schedules Hiring retired employees as consultants Part time work without benefits Part time with benefits Shifting of career tracks *AARP study ……………………………………………..45% …………………………………………….18% ………………………30% ………….……………………….27% ………………………………………………..24% ………………….………………………………8% Percentage currently used
- 20. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 20 AARP ranked Co. as # 1 for workers over 50 One third of nurses over age 50 Well designed retirement and health insurance offerings Lift Teams WE Teams 95% reduction in losses in high injury areas Company Removed Obstacles
- 21. Sedgwick © 2013Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 21 Keep Connected after an Injury Make calls, send cards, send emails, and show they are missed Reinforce the value they add to the workforce Identify modified duty jobs for aging workers Make jobs productive so they stay conditioned
- 22. Sedgwick © 2012Confidential– Do not disclose or distribute. 22 QUESTIONS?
- 23. Sedgwick © 2012Confidential– Do not disclose or distribute. 23 Susan Shemanski Vice President Client Services Sedgwick Phone: 704-717-7704 Susan.Shemanski@sedgwickcms.com