Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

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The First Step

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

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Moving Forward

• A review of what we’ve covered• Taking the first step– Identifying priorities– Developing an action plan

Designing the Age Friendly Workplace

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A Review of What We’ve CoveredThe Aging Workforce

• There will be more older workers– Older workers

need and want to work

– We need the skills older workers have

– Social Security needs help-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

Percent Change

16-2425-5455-6465-7475+

Age Group

Percent Change in Labor Force, 2006-2016

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A Review of What We’ve CoveredWhy the Aging Workforce Matters• Your organization will

see changes at every level– Age affects how we work– Work affects how we age– Safety, health and job

performance

• How you’re affected depends on what you do to prepare

• To prepare for an older workforce, prepare for an aging workforce

Society

Organization PoliciesThe Work Environment

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A Review of What We’ve CoveredThe Work Environment

• The spaces where we work affect how we age

• We have control over how workplaces are designed

• Work environment issues are aging issues– Physical demands of work– Lighting and vision– Cognitive demands of

work

• We can design age friendly workplaces

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A Review of What We’ve CoveredHealth Promotion• Health promotion:

– Prevention– Detection– Management

• Promoting health throughout life can prevent chronic disease

• Promoting health can lead to better disease management

• Health promotion can save you money

0

5

10

15

20

% with Diabetes

18-4445-6465-7475+

Age Group

Diabetes and Age

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A Review of What We’ve CoveredWork & Life Balance

• It’s time to rethink how work and retirement function

• Flexible work options can benefit you and your aging workforce

• Phased retirement programs are an example

• Social and community resources can help

Older Workers' Preferences for the "Next Stage"

Cycle In and Out Part-Time

Start a Business Work Full Time

Never Work Again Something Else

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What’s the First Step?

Plan Ahead!Type of Goal Goal

How It Will

Happen

Who Will Ensure It

Does

When It Will End

Challenges &

SolutionsThe Work Environment

Health Promotion

Work/Life Balance- In the Workplace- In the Community

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The Aging WorkforceWhat To Do1

1. Identify one priority2. Create a plan to address your priority3. Implement your plan and build on it

1 Planning approach adapted from “The Breakthrough Strategy,” developed by Robert Schaeffer

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• What Is Your Priority?–What’s important for the future of your

organization?–What will people in your organization really care about?

Example: Preventing fall-related injuries

1. Identify One PriorityWhat Will Make a Difference for You?

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• How will you measure “success”? ________– Pick a good way to measure your top priority–How much will you change? ________–Hint: Start small to generate momentum

• We will measure the number of fall-related injuries using OSHA 300 logs

• Our goal: A 15% reduction over the next quarter

2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

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• Do you have a baseline?• Who is accountable?– Who will be the champion?– Will this be a team effort? If so, who will help?

• Based off of our OSHA 300 logs, we had 20 fall-related injuries last year

• Jim (the “safety guy”) will lead the effort. He’ll have help from Greg (in maintenance) and Janice (in human resources).

2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

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• What is the timeline?–When will it all be done?–How often will you need to meet until

then?

• We will have accomplished our goal by the end of next quarter.

• We don’t need to meet before then.

2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

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• What, exactly, do you need to do to make it happen?

• Step 1: Repair the stairs outside of Building 4

• Step 2: Install slip-resistant mats at the loading dock

• Step 3: Reorganize the supply room to reduce the need for ladders

• Etc.

2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

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• What might get in the way? • How will you respond?

Challenge

Response

CostCombine funds from safety budget and from maintenance’s budget

Etc.

2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

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Goal How It Will Happen

Who Will Ensure It

Does

When It Will End

Challenges &

Solutions

Reduce the number of fall-related injuries by

15%

Repair stairwell

Slip-resistant mats

Reorganize supply closet

Jim - safety

Greg - maint.

Janice- HR

The first

day of next

quarter

Share cost

between two

depts.

The Age Friendly Workplace Work Environment Example

Now It’s Your Turn…

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1. Identify One PriorityWhat Will Make a Difference for You?

• What Is Your Priority?–What’s important for the future of your

organization?–What will people in your organization really care about?

Promoting Healthy Aging Throughout Life

Designing an Age Friendly Work Environment

Enabling a Healthy Work-Life Balance

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2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

• How will you measure “success”? ________– Pick a good way to measure your top priority–How much will you change? ________–Hint: Start small to generate momentum

• Do you have a baseline?• Who is accountable?–Who is the champion? _______________– Is it a team effort? If so, who’s on the team?

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2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

• What is the timeline?– When will it all be done? ____/ ____/ ______– How often will you need to meet for progress

updates?

• What, exactly, do you need to do to make it happen?– Step 1:__________________________________________– Step 2: _________________________________________– Step 3: _________________________________________– Step 4: _________________________________________– Etc.

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2. Create a PlanHow Do You Achieve Your Objectives?

• What might get in the way? • How will you respond?

Challenge Response

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Type of Goal GoalHow It

Will Happen

Who Will Ensure It

Does

When It Will

Finish

Challenges &

ResponsesThe Work Environment

Health Promotion

Work/Life Balance- In the Workplace- In the Community

The Age Friendly Workplace

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Reviewing Your Action Plan

1. Is it important? Will people care?2. How does it relate to the aging process?3. Does it focus on results in addition to action?4. How will you know when you succeed?5. Are your goals achievable?6. Will it integrate into your organization and

not just be “one more thing”?7. What will you do to communicate the goals

and results to people who matter?

1 Planning approach adapted from “The Breakthrough Strategy,” developed by Robert Schaeffer

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Any Questions?

Thanks for all the hard work!