The Influence of Work Environmental and Motivation Factors on Seniors’ Attitudes to an Extended Working Life or to Retire. A Cross Sectional Study with Employees 55 - 74 Years of Age

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate difference between whether individuals think they can work, and want to work until 65 years or not. Methods: A cross/sectional study including survey of 1949 employees aged 55 -74 years. Results: Working environments were the most significant differences between the groups associated to if the respondents think they can work beyond 65 years or not. Motivation factors were the most significant differences between the groups associated with if the respondents want to work beyond 65 years or not. Conclusions: A satisfying work environment is important to whether people think they can work or not. Nevertheless, whether people want to work is depending on whether the employees are satisfied with the factors that promote their motivation for work. If society wants more people to work until an upper age, it is important to improve both work environmental factors and motivation factors in their work situation.

Factors associated to managers’ belief whether their employees cannot and do not want to work until an older age, and measure activities increasing their employees’ possibilities of working in an extended working life.

“…Earlier studies have identified nine determinant areas connected to whether people can and want to work in an extended working life or not (1,. Those nine areas is also described in the theoretical swAge-model (Sustainable working life for all ages) and are: 1) self-rated health, diagnoses, function variation; 2) physical work environment; 3) mental work environment; 4) work schedule, work pace, recuperation; 5) private economy; 6) private social environment; 7) work social environment; 8) work tasks, stimulation, motivation, self-crediting; 9) knowledge, skills, competence. Good health is a very important factor to whether people are able to work, or to take sick leave or some form of retirement (1,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12).…”

“…Those nine areas is also described in the theoretical swAge-model (Sustainable working life for all ages) and are: 1) self-rated health, diagnoses, function variation; 2) physical work environment; 3) mental work environment; 4) work schedule, work pace, recuperation; 5) private economy; 6) private social environment; 7) work social environment; 8) work tasks, stimulation, motivation, self-crediting; 9) knowledge, skills, competence. Good health is a very important factor to whether people are able to work, or to take sick leave or some form of retirement (1,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Poor physical work environment and work conditions increase the risk of work accidents, leave people worn out and push them to leave working life early (1,(7)(8)(9)(13)(14)(15).…”

“…Good health is a very important factor to whether people are able to work, or to take sick leave or some form of retirement (1,(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Poor physical work environment and work conditions increase the risk of work accidents, leave people worn out and push them to leave working life early (1,(7)(8)(9)(13)(14)(15). Mental work conditions, stress and lack of job control have also been mentioned as important predictors for people's sick leave and retirement planning (1,(7)(8)(9)(16)(17)(18).…”

“…Poor physical work environment and work conditions increase the risk of work accidents, leave people worn out and push them to leave working life early (1,(7)(8)(9)(13)(14)(15). Mental work conditions, stress and lack of job control have also been mentioned as important predictors for people's sick leave and retirement planning (1,(7)(8)(9)(16)(17)(18). Some studies highlight moderate working pace and working hours as very important for a sustainable working life and for the older workforce, and have also shown that older workers seem to need more time for rest and recuperation (1,(7)(8)(9)(19)(20)(21).…”

“…Mental work conditions, stress and lack of job control have also been mentioned as important predictors for people's sick leave and retirement planning (1,(7)(8)(9)(16)(17)(18). Some studies highlight moderate working pace and working hours as very important for a sustainable working life and for the older workforce, and have also shown that older workers seem to need more time for rest and recuperation (1,(7)(8)(9)(19)(20)(21). Another factor often described in relation to early retirement is personal finances, i.e.…”