Arbeitsfähig bis ins Rentenalter: Wie können Produktionsunternehmen ihre älteren Mitarbeitenden in Einfacharbeit dabei unterstützen?

Due to current trends such as demographic change and technical, economic and social developments, the topic of “Active Aging” in the context of work has recently gained interest. The aim is to promote the work ability of older employees to keep them healthy, motivated and productive until they retire. Until now, research focus has rarely been on low skilled workers. Therefore, expert interviews and group discussions with affected employees in a case study company are conducted in order to examine how factors for promoting work ability can be designed while meeting the specific challenges of older employees in low skilled work in manufacturing companies. It becomes apparent that interventions to promote physical fitness should be integrated into everyday working life and competence development should be ensured through a design of work activities which supports learning. Potential is also seen in the support of supervisors and in the social environment. Based on these results, recommendations for organizations and further research questions are discussed.