Abstract:

Demographic changes causing a decrease in the number of people of working age, as well as aging labor force forces employers to take action. The confidence of both employers’ and employees’ in effectiveness and efficiency of age management tools is then an important factor determining the effective implementation of practices supporting the employment of older workers. The paper collects the most frequently cited ways of activating and motivating employees as a part of age management strategies in the field of ergonomics and health care. These identified methods were assessed in the context of their effectiveness and efficiency. A pilot study was conducted with experts in the field of ergonomics and age management. According to experts, the ergonomics and health care methods with highest level of efficiency and effectiveness are: hardware solutions improving work feasibility, ergonomic training for employees and anti-discrimination tools, which are based on mechanism of taking into account real workers’ performance. The comprehensive strategy for health protection and promotion was assessed as an effective, but not as the most efficient tool. Importantly for employers, financial incentives have not been proven to be an important motivator for older workers according to experts.