People + Process = Performance

aging workforce

Optimizing and Designing the Workplace for Aging (Chronologically Gifted) Workers Part 2

In Part 1 we reviewed the changes that are occurring within the today’s workforce–the increased percentage of older workers.  With this in mind employers need to adapt their work environment to meet the needs of the workers–which coincidentally and most importantly benefits all ages of workers.

Ergonomic Workplace Design Recommendations

Is 35 the new “Older” worker?

What is the age that you use to define for an “older” worker?  Is it 45, 50, 55 or 65?  Employers across the nation are seeing the average age of their work force getting older each year as people are delaying retirement more than ever before.  This is a trend that has employers concerned for several reasons with two being the most impactful—potential injury/safety ramifications and upcoming knowledge loss.  The “common wisdom” has been that older workers don’t get hurt often but when they do the expenses are very high.  Is this “common wisdom” true?  A

Are Post-Offer, Pre-Work Screens Effective?

As an ergonomist, I am often asked what my opinion is on post-offer, pre-work (POPW) screens for new hires.  My first response is to ask why they are asking that question.  The normal answer is because they have a injury rate higher than what they’d like and wonder if it’s related to their workers’ fitness for work.  I have several follow up questions that help me understand the root cause of their injuries.  As much as possible work should be designed so that the majority of the population can perform the job.   This is becoming more and more important and imperative to organizations due t