Older workers should feel safe

Older Singaporean workers will head to work feeling safer after some new measures that will ensure their wellbeing is a priority.

Some of the plans to increase safety and friendliness in the workplace include a health corner where workers can measure their blood pressure and weight, weekly Monday morning exercises and investing in machinery to ease older workers’ burden of carrying heavy cartons.

The strategies were discussed at the recent Age-Friendly Workforce Asia conference where companies had the opportunity to share their best practices.

Singapore’s Minister of State for Health, Dr Amy Khor, said it was important to help workers remain “healthy and fit for work for as long as possible”.

“We also understand that one of the key reservations of employers to employing older workers would be the impact of an ageing workforce on healthcare costs,” Dr Khor said.

With the need to focus on creating conditions to allow older workers to work longer, Dr Khor suggested employers consider investing in preventive health programs in the workplace and put in place flexible work arrangements to appeal to the needs of older workers. She also said there needed to be a review of work processes to help increase the productivity of older workers.

However, Dr Khor claimed workers themselves need to have the desire to work longer and “take charge of their own career planning and development”.

“Individual workers must take responsibility for their own health management … they also need to make an effort to learn, unlearn and re-learn new knowledge and skills to maintain their relevance in the workplace,” she added.

What strategies do you think employers should implement to ensure their older workers are kept in mind and looked after? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.