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As Well As Predicting Ill-health And Sickness Absence, Such Potential ...

As well as predicting ill-health and sickness absence, such potential stressors have been found to be more powerful in the prediction of early retirement than physical problems (Kloimuller et al, 1997, pp. 454-456).

In addition to such factors, it may be expected that the often-quoted discrimination against older workers (often, inaccurately, on the grounds of productivity) represent a source of stress (Walker, 1993). Discrimination against older workers has been common (Walker, 1993), although there are signs that more recently managers may have begun to acknowledge their commitment to work, experience, reliability, stability, and their problem-solving and interpersonal skills (Kodz et al, 1999). Much of this has been recognised in the scientific literature for some time (Rhodes, 1983, pp. 328-367) (Warr, 1994, pp. 309-322). Most reviews in the scientific literature report little consistent relationship between ageing and work performance (Rhodes, 1983, pp. 328-367) (Waldman and Avolio, 1986, pp. 33-38). Overall, older workers perform as well as younger workers. It has been proposed that despite decreases in certain cognitive and physical abilities, there is no observable decrease in older workers' overall performance, because what they lack in cognitive abilities they compensate for with an increase in job knowledge, skills (Salthouse and Maurer, 1996, pp. 353-364) and various coping strategies such as better anticipation or more economical search strategies-all useful for problem-solving.

3.4 Demographics
3.4.1 EU work life for aging workers

The EU analysis of working life of aging workers showed that a variety of work characteristics formed a critical burden to workers over 45 years of age. Although large differences exist among the 15 Member States, all countries have neglected the need for several age-related adjustments in both physical and mental work environments (OECD, 1998, pp. 123-151).

The country-based analysis summarises the need to improve the situation of the 45+ population in work. The list of improvements needed in each country has been classified according to individual health and competence issues, as well as exposures in physical and mental work environment characteristics (Ilmarinen 1999). The countries were ranked according to the existing prevalence rates of 20 risk factors (rank l=country with a lowest level of risk factor, rank 15=country with highest level of risk factor). Countries ranked worst, e.g., 13-15, by each risk factor were listed and selected as countries requiring the most improvements for their aging work force. A summary of the analysis is shown in Table 6

Table 6 - Need for improvements by EU Member States
(OECD, 1998, pp.


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