Aging workers
As fertility rates fall and life expectancy climbs, the average age of Canada’s population continues to rise. This has widespread implications for social policies and the world of work. IWH research explores these implications, such as the effects of aging on work ability, injury rates, injury and disease prevention, productivity, accommodation and return to work. It also looks at the workplace and social programs that will allow aging workers to remain at work in a healthy and productive way until they transition into retirement.
Featured
At Work article
Older workers not prone to ask for employer support, citing ageism and other issues
Many older workers are in no hurry to retire, but they may have support needs they're reluctant to divulge. An IWH team explores the reasons and suggests ways workplaces can provide support despite the absence of disclosure.
Published: November 7, 2022
At Work article
Precarity more likely for older, new workers with disabilities
An IWH study finds the risks of working in precarious jobs are the same for people with and without disabilities. But among people with disabilities, precarity is more likely when people are older or have less job tenure.
Published: March 3, 2021
IWH in the media
Older employees reluctant to ask for support: study
When it comes to asking for support on the job, either due to health or family-related reasons, a deep hesitation is present among older workers, John Dujay reports.
Published: Canadian HR Reporter, November 2022
At Work article
Older workers not prone to ask for employer support, citing ageism and other issues
Many older workers are in no hurry to retire, but they may have support needs they're reluctant to divulge. An IWH team explores the reasons and suggests ways workplaces can provide support despite the absence of disclosure.
Published: November 2022
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
What do workplaces need to know to help older workers stay on the job? A qualitative study of older workers’ disclosure decisions
Historic labour shortages are affecting every Canadian job sector. Many workers aged 50 years or more want to work longer, often beyond the traditional retirement age. However, we understand little about the different workplace support needs they may have and whether workers choose to share their needs with others—especially given the negative stereotypes that often surround older workers. In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac shares insights from her study on older workers’ workplace support needs and disclosure decisions. She highlights how workplaces can help older workers stay on the job, regardless of whether they disclose their needs.
Published: September 2022
At Work article
Precarity more likely for older, new workers with disabilities
An IWH study finds the risks of working in precarious jobs are the same for people with and without disabilities. But among people with disabilities, precarity is more likely when people are older or have less job tenure.
Published: March 2021
Journal article
Journal article
Age differences in return-to-work following injury: understanding the role of age dimensions across longitudinal follow-up
Published: Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, December 2020
Journal article
Journal article
The working disadvantaged: the role of age, job tenure and disability in precarious work
Published: BMC Public Health, December 2020
Journal article
Journal article
Inequalities in extending working lives beyond age 60 in Canada, Denmark, Sweden and England: by gender, level of education and health
Published: PLoS ONE, August 2020
Journal article
Journal article
Access to showers and change rooms at work associated with active commuting among older workers: findings from a national population survey
Published: Journal of Applied Gerontology, February 2020
At Work article
Understanding employment patterns among older workers in four countries
In many developed countries, including Canada, encouraging older workers to stay in the workforce is a common policy goal. But what do we know about current work participation patterns among people older than 65? A new study involving IWH looks at data in Canada, the U.K., Denmark and Sweden.
Published: October 2019
IWH in the media
Chronic diseases not slowing down older workers
Personal health may be a factor for older workers in deciding when to retire, but it’s not as big a factor as previously thought, according to a new Institute for Work & Health study. Despite experiencing more pain and fatigue, older workers with arthritis, diabetes or both were no different from their healthy peers in their retirement plans, writes John Dujay.
Published: Canadian HR Reporter, August 2019