Sustainable labour participation and sustainable careers

Changing economic and social circumstances, as well as changing demographics are leading to a growing interest in sustainable labour participation of workers. In terms of business considerations, sustainable labour participation refers to people value, or more social value, of business practice and involves a longer term perspective. This chapter provides a conceptual framework for (micro-level) individual sustainable labour participation, in terms of its components: employability, vitality and workability. Next, an overview of important antecedents (at micro-level and meso-level) will be given, building on the theoretical notions of, especially, the Job Demands–Job Resources model. The chapter also serves a practical aim: insight in stimulating versus hindering antecedents can contribute to a better understanding of what employers (meso-level) and employees (micro-level) can do to realize more sustainable organizational practices. The relation with and consequences for sustainable careers are therefore discussed, resulting in several recommendations for future research and for organizational practice.