Employers' attitudes about competence and working conditions among older workers in Sweden

• The aim of the study was to investigate employers’ attitudes about older workers (50+). The study has been implemented within the framework of the project Life Competence 50+ (http://www.livskompetens.com). In total, 147 employers contributed from the Swedish Confederation of Enterprise member registers in the south-west part of Sweden. The employers responded to a web-based questionnaire with approximately 25 questions. Each employer received an e-mail that consisted of information about the study and also an Internet-link to the web page where the questionnaire was obtainable. The questionnaire was accessible for approximately 3 weeks. The results showed that competence development is seldom targeted at a specific age group, but can rather be seen as driven by the workers needs. The transfer of competence between older and younger workers often takes place through organized mentor programmes or as a natural part in daily communication and cooperation between older and younger workers. Almost half (46 per cent) of the employers regarded older employees as having greater difficulties with changes or learning new things (for example reorganisations, introduction of new technology) compared with younger employees.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Arbetslivsstudier (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Work Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

older workers

working conditions

competence

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)