Issue:
The large size of the Canadian baby boomer generation (born 1946 to 1964) has created concerns for older workers. A loss of skills in the labour market as older workers retire has meant the need for strategies to keep individuals working and delay retirement. To date, we don’t have information about how characteristics of many chronic health conditions that arise with age may create unique challenges for workers, including conditions like arthritis and diabetes that do not have a continuous impact but result in episodes of disability, unpredictable symptoms, and stress related to working and disclosing health problems to colleagues. This proposal focuses on women and men 50-67 years of age who work with arthritis and/or diabetes compared to workers with no disabling health conditions. This study forms an important step in understanding the interplay of health and work and will provide information to help sustain employment.
Objectives:
• To describe extent to which remaining employed is a priority among baby boomers as they age.
• To examine the experiences and perceived impact of working with an episodic health condition, as well as factors that act as barriers or facilitate working.
• To examine characteristics of episodic health conditions (e.g., symptom unpredictability, invisibility) and their association with work outcomes (e.g., job disruptions, absenteeism).
Anticipated Results:
Data from this research will provide insight into the experiences, needs, and expectations of working baby boomers. It will enable a comparison of healthy baby boomers and those who may experience difficulties working related to a chronic disease. It can also provide concrete information and potential strategies to inform and enhance policies, practices and interventions to help older workers sustain their employment. Results of this research will be relevant for older workers and especially those living with chronic conditions. It will also be relevant to employers, disability managers, human resource professionals, occupational health professionals, insurers, and consumer/patient organizations.
Investigators:
Monique Gignac, Dorcas Beaton, Vicki Kristman, Cameron Mustard, Peter Smith, E Badley
