Workforce is ageing rapidly - are we ready?



One can attempt to forecast the future in many ways, but looking at the so called megatrends would be among the best. Megatrends represent the global trend or way of development (Viitala 2021). Viitala in her book lists a number of megatrends expected to effect the working life now and in the future, such as digitalization, aging population, urbanization, globalization and ecological thinking. I have picked one of these to go through in this post.

Aging population, along with the digitalization, is more a current trend than merely a future one. European Foundation for Improving Living and Working Conditions Eurofound (2023) has in its website listed articles, case studies and inquiries about phenomenae such as ageing population and working life. It states that one of the signs of this particular megatrends is that people postpone retiring from work. There are more and more of those who are not willing to retire even when the official retirement age has been reached. This requires changes from the societies as well, such as revision of the retirement systems towards a more flexible one (e.g. part-time retirement). Obviously the employers need to answer this need, with tools such as regular employee reviews,  financial incentives and improving working conditions. Good working life practices become increasingly significant, meaning recruitment, training and development as well as occupational health services and flexible organization of work.

At the same time, employing a more senior person is not entirely risk-free for the company -  chief worry being work ability and possible health concerns. Here the employer can cooperate with the occupational health services to carry out entry  and periodic check-ups and perodic reviews mentioned by Eurofound. Full certainty of person’s suitability cannot ever be reached, and this of course is the case with employees of all ages.  On the other hand, the experience and expertise these more aged workers bring to companies and to their teams is nearly irreplacable. Naturally, the employee has to themselves be willing and open to training and development of their skills as well as receive feedback of their work.

References: 

Dufva, M., Wartiovaara, A. & Vataja, K. 2021. Työn tulevaisuuden megatrendien valossa. Article. Sitra. Web document, accessed 24.9.2023: https://www.sitra.fi/artikkelit/tyon-tulevaisuudet-megatrendien-valossa/

Eurofound 2023. Ageing workforce. Website. Web document, accessed 24.9.2023: https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/topic/ageing-workforce

Viitala, R. 2021. Henkilöstöjohtaminen: keskeiset käsitteet, teoriat ja trendit. Edita Publishing Oy. eBook.


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