better with age: strengthening your workforce and productivity

Sedgwick © 2013 Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute.

Better With Age: Strengthening Your

Workforce and Productivity

Sedgwick © 2012 Confidential – Do not disclose or distribute. 2

Susan Shemanski

Vice President Client Services

Sedgwick


In 2008 – 28 Million Workers over age 55

In 2016 – 40 Million Workers will be over 55

Younger workforce will only increase by 5-7%

2008 AARP study reported that 70% of US workers plan on working past retirement age

Part of increase due to Baby Boomers

American Workforce is Changing

Part due to economy

Concerns over rising health care costs


Value Your Mature Workers

Keep them healthy on

the job

Prevent workplace

injuries

Speed return to

work times after

injuries


NCCI Study on Aging Workforce

Older Workers have the fewest number of work related injuries

Workers 35 and older have 50% higher loss severities

Higher wages are key to higher indemnity severity

Older workers have more rotator cuff and knee injuries. Younger workers more back and ankle sprains

Older workers require more treatments per claim


Issues that Impact Older Workers

Deteriorating eyesight & hearing

Less physical flexibility & strength

Slower reaction times

Reduced ability to concentrate

Loss of balance

More pre-existing conditions


Higher Stress Levels

Family demands

Boomerang children to care for

Grandchildren to help raise

Aging parents to care for


Benefits

• Expertise• Loyalty• Commitment to

quality

• Better judgment• Make outstanding

mentors

Benefits of Older Workers


Managing Your Aging Workforce

Find a good match to worker’s capabilities and the job demands

Modify jobs to respond to age related changes

Wellness programs

Promote supervisor and co-worker engagement with injured workers

RTW programs help you retain experience and talent


Aging Facts

• Strength - 25-30% decrease at age 65• Flexibility - 18-20% decrease at age 65• Balance - 1/3 of 65 years or older fall each year• Sight - All aspects deteriorate• Reaction time and speed - Decreases• Hearing - 1/3 of 65-74 year olds have problems• Manual Dexterity - Decreases• Body Fat - Increases


Workspace Design

Above the Shoulder

• Vision• Hearing• Cognitive ability

Below the Shoulder

• Strength• Heat stress• Shift work• Connective tissue• Musculoskeletal disorders• Trips, slips, falls


Strategies

• Increase lighting by 20-30%• Provide both visual and audio information

to machine operators• Use LED lighting to make defects more

visible• Avoid use of small print on instructions

and equipment• Use LCD displays for reduced glare• Slow the rate of information presentation

Above the Shoulder Strategies


Strategies

• Don’t use a foot pedal from a standing position

• Improve illumination for walking surfaces and stairs

• Clear markings on the first and last 2 steps• Avoid swing shift scheduling• When precision tools are needed, provide

a higher coefficient of friction between the operator’s fingers and the tool surface

Below the Shoulder Strategies


Strategies

• Reaction times - avoid working at heights, working in windy conditions and on slippery surfaces

• Balance - avoid work areas with marble or polished floors which tend to be slippery

• Balance - non-slip soles on shoes• Balance - uneven walk surfaces, clutter

such as dust, debris and cords

Sensory Strategies


Strategies

• Regular exercise and training• Team older workers with younger workers• Design and assign jobs with physical

capabilities in mind• Avoid repetitive tasks and prolonged

standing• Use anti-fatigue mats and mechanical aids• Sit/Stand workstations and adjustable

chairs

Physical Strength

Strategies


Cardiovascular and Respiratory

Regular exercise

Avoid work in very hot or very cold

environments

Physically demanding jobs should be self

paced or appropriate durations


Strategies

• Assistive technology (digital assistants, electronic calendars, timers)

• Instructive cues (text and illustrative)• Refresher training courses• Increased opportunities for practicing

tasks

Neurological Strategies


Signs that Aging is having an Impact

• Fatigue and tripping• Loss of patience and

irritability• Feedback from supervisors

on declining performance• Numbers and patterns of

sick days• History of minor injuries

and near misses


Strategies

Strategies Companies Implemented

Training to upgrade skillsReducing work schedulesHiring retired employees as consultantsPart time work without benefitsPart time with benefitsShifting of career tracks

*AARP study

……………………………………………..45%…………………………………………….18%

………………………30%………….……………………….27%

………………………………………………..24%………………….………………………………8%

Percentage currently used


AARP ranked Co. as # 1 for workers over 50

One third of nurses over age 50

Well designed retirement and health insurance offerings

Lift Teams

WE Teams

95% reduction in losses in high injury areas

Company Removed Obstacles


Keep Connected after an Injury

Make calls, send cards,

send emails, and show they are missed

Reinforce the value

they add to the

workforce

Identify modified

duty jobs for aging

workers

Make jobs productive so they stay conditioned


QUESTIONS?


Susan Shemanski

Vice President Client Services

Sedgwick Phone: 704-717-7704

[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

better with age: strengthening your workforce and productivity

Health & Medicine