„Arbeiten, solange der Körper mitmacht“: Betriebliche Herausforderungen im Zusammenhang mit Einfacharbeit und alternden Belegschaften

There has been little attention paid to date in the debate on demographic change and the lack of skilled workers to the challenges associated with simple work and ageing workforces. Yet references in research literature show that in this thematic focus area, previously neglected, there is a pressing need for action both by firms and the research community.The present paper describes the current state of research on simple work and ageing workforces and discusses, based on a qualitative empirical study among staff responsible for personnel in firms and experts in Switzerland, the stresses for employees, the challenges in the firms and their reactions. The research shows that those responsible for personnel in enterprises identify physical stress factors in particular as challenges in respect to simple work and ageing workforces.The measures taken by the firms in response to these challenges are usually reactive and individual. By contrast, few systematic activities in relation to dealing with age-related challenges in simple work, particularly in regard to qualifications and age, could be identified.