Working Conditions and Health Among Italian Ageing Workers

Abstract

In many European countries requirements for retirement have been tightened, causing an increase in work participation of older workers, in spite their potentially poorer health may limit their work ability. This study aimed at assessing the diffusion of health problems and exposure to unfavorable working conditions among ageing workers in two Italian surveys, as well as comparing them with those observed in the same surveys conducted before the 2011 Italian pension reform tightening the normal retirement age. The 2013 National Health Survey (NHS) and Labour Force Survey (LFS) were employed to assess the prevalence of poor perceived health, health conditions and functional limitations, and of exposure to physical, psychosocial and organization factors at work, among 60–64 years workers. Poisson regression models were used to estimate Prevalence Ratios of health outcomes and unfavorable working conditions in the two surveys, compared to data from the 2005 (NHS) and 2007 (LFS) corresponding surveys, respectively. Among both men and women, approximately one quarter had at least one physical disorder or functional limitations and 15% poor mental health. Exposure to different ergonomic factors (15–30%) and working during unsocial hours (19%) were particularly diffused. A significant increase in the prevalence of functional limitations and of working at night or during unsocial hours was found in 2013, compared to corresponding data from 2005 and 2007, respectively. Our results indicate that exposure to ergonomic and organizational hazards should be reduced among ageing workers, to avoid decreased work ability, health damage or early exit from the labour market.

Could a fairer retirement age mitigate health inequalities? Evidence and decision-making

“…National governments have responded to this demographic challenge by limiting access to retirement, raising the statutory pension age, and reducing economic incentives for early retirement. Tighter pension requirements and longer working life have led to a growing debate on the sustainability of work in old age, especially for those categories of workers exposed to more physically and psychologically demanding working conditions (1). Moreover, raising the statutory pension age in the same way for all workers ignores the existing differences in work capacity, health status, and life expectancy between professions that place disproportionally more to more vulnerable workers with potential detrimental consequences for their health (2).…”

Transition to retirement impact on smoking habit: results from a longitudinal analysis within the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) project

“…On the one hand, the end of the working life usually involves the loss of daily routines, as well as a reduction in social interactions and economic security. On the other hand, leaving demanding jobs might enable more time for leisure activities and exercise, making life less frantic [ 4 , 5 ]. An increasing number of studies have been focusing on the association between retirement transition and behavioural risk factors patterns, including smoking, alcohol drinking, physical activity, and dietary habits, to explore the mechanisms that drive the retirement effect on health [ 4 , 6 ].…”

Transition to retirement impact on risk of depression and suicidality: results from a longitudinal analysis of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

“…On the other hand, the increase in free time to engage in social interactions and healthy activities adds to the relief from work-related risk factors (d’Errico et al. , 2022), especially for demanding jobs (Eibich, 2015; van der Heide et al. , 2013).…”