A Numbers Game That’s Become An HR Reality.

As an employer making plans for your organization’s future you are no doubt aware that the demographics of workers are changing.

Rather than simply an HR distraction, consideration of this topic is a business imperative for the 21st century.

There are now four generations working side-by-side in the workplace; Traditionalists (born: 1928-1945), Baby Boomers (born: 1946-1964), the Gen X(born: 1965-1980), and Gen Y(born: 1980 – 2000). These groups have different philosophies about work and create varying cultures in the workplace.

The fastest growing age group in the U.S. workforce is 55-64, with a 73% growth from 2000 to 2020. This is the result of a dramatic drop in birth rates coupled with a boom in life expectancy. Simply put, there are not enough young workers to meet the labor force demand and older workers are remaining in the workforce longer.

There are both positive and negative realities in this aging workforce. Although chronologically older workers can present limitations of mental and physical capacity in combination with chronic health conditions there is no consistent relationship between aging and work performance.

Older workers tend to have a good attitude regarding work, demonstrate good judgment, are flexible in work assignments and schedules, and have an interest in learning new things.

Although older workers have fewer injuries, when an injury occurs it does tend to be more severe and often takes longer to heal. There are more musculoskeletal injuries in older workers especially involving the low back.

Occupational Health Solutions’ programs and services will help you address the realities of the changing demographics in your workplace. Older workers are not going away. And protecting workers safety and health is important at any age.

Did you know that something as simple as periodic visual acuity screening can identify the need for corrective lenses. This intervention can help prevent acute slips and falls prevalent with older workers.

Stay tuned for upcoming email articles offering insight into the health and safety considerations for each of the generations working side-by-side in your workplace.