Working late
Investigator
Cheryl Haslam, Loughborough University
Background
The increasing age of the UK workforce presents new and exciting challenges for organisations and for occupational health services. It is essential to facilitate an extended working life by maintaining a healthy working environment for older workers.
Aims and objectives
The research gathered empirical evidence on how employers can provide flexible and dynamic working conditions for older workers and for those experiencing mid-life transitions.
The role of occupational health services was investigated to determine how these vital services may be more proactive in tailoring occupational health solutions to the workforce.
The research programme developed and evaluated interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of older workers.
The Loughborough Network also focussed on the journey to work, the design of the built environment and equipment for older workers.
This research led to workplace design of environments and technologies that accommodate the needs of workers as they age, which encouraged inclusive working environments and remove physical and psychological barriers to work.
Policy implications
The implementation of this innovative research agenda facilitated a transformation of working practices, support services and the working environment, allowing freedom of access to work and an improvement in the quality of working life of older people.