The Role of Human Factors in Older Worker Retention: What do we Know and what will we Need to Know?

Abstract

In less than two years the oldest of the baby boom cohort will begin to turn 65 and the projected mass exodus of the older workforce will begin—or will it? With the recent change in the economy and loss of trillions of dollars in retirement savings, many older workers will most likely need to work slightly longer than expected. Additionally, companies will be in need of retaining their most experienced employees or they will need to recruit experienced workers from other places. The goal of this discussion panel is to provide the latest data on ways we can utilize human factors and ergonomics interventions to retain older workers. Panel discussants are divided between industry and academia, and they will address: 1) issues related to common injuries of the older worker and ways to reduce them, 2) work factors significant to the retention of older workers, and 3) retaining older workers who have disabilities.