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1. Workplace Accommodations for Older Workers: An Examination of Employer Practice
2. Overview
3. Older Worker Demographics
4. Percentage of the Labor Force that is 55 Years of Age and Older 1950-2025
5. Past and Projected Number of Workers Over Age 55, 1970-2025
6. Why Are We Concerned About Older Workers?
7. Why Workplace Accommodations for Older Workers?
8. Insights from Consumer Survey I
9. Insights from Consumer Survey II
10. Insights from Consumer Survey III

Slide 1 of 18

Workplace Accommodations for Older Workers: An Examination of Employer Practice

Slide 2 of 18

Overview

• Older worker demographics
• Age-related disabilities and workplace accommodations
• Preliminary results of attempt to collect data on current provision of workplace accommodations for age-related disabilities
• Analysis of survey methodology and alternative options for collection of data on workplace accommodations

Slide 3 of 18

Older Worker Demographics

• Between 2001-2010, the number of workers over age 55 will increase 46.6%, while workers between the ages of 25-54 will increase by only 5% (SHRM, 2003)
• By 2015, nearly 20% of the labor force will be over the age of 55 (GAO, 2001)
• Increase in retirement age from 65 to 67 will likewise increase the number of older workers

Slide 4 of 18

Percentage of the Labor Force that is 55 Years of Age and Older 1950-2025

• 1950 - 17.2%
• 1960 - 18.1%
• 1970 - 17.5%
• 1980 - 14.1%
• 1990 - 11.9%
• 2000 - 13.1%
• 2015 - 19.6%
• 2025 - 20.1%

Slide 5 of 18

Past and Projected Number of Workers Over Age 55, 1970-2025

• 1970 - 14,505 thousand
• 1980 - 15,039
• 1990 - 15,026
• 2000 - 18,437
• 2015 - 31,851
• 2025 - 33,346

Slide 6 of 18

Why Are We Concerned About Older Workers?

• Potentially a large percentage of the labor force
• Assuming retirement, loss of valuable skills and knowledge
• Older workers experience physical, neurological and sensory changes throughout the aging process – “age-related disabilities” which may affect their safety and productivity if they remain in the workforce

Slide 7 of 18

Why Workplace Accommodations for Older Workers?

• Significant portion of the labor force with age-related disabilities
• Accommodations address:
  • Loss of productivity
  • Safety issues
  • Assuming retirement, loss of valuable skills and knowledge
• Examples:
  • Making existing facilities accessible;
  • Job restructuring;
  • Part-time or modified work schedules;
  • Providing assistive technology (AT)

Slide 8 of 18

Insights from Consumer Survey Is

• Work RERC Consumer Advisory Network Survey
• Do you have a limitation(s) that prevents you from performing the duties of your job?
  • 73.8% of respondents ages 55-64 years
  • 64.3% of respondents ages 64 years and older

Slide 9 of 18

Insights from Consumer Survey II

• Employer-Supported Program:
  • Under 55 years - 28.9%
  • Age 55-64 years - 28.7%
  • Over 64 years - 27.3%
• Vocational Counseling Service:
  • Under 55 years - 21.9%
  • Age 55-64 years - 14.7%
  • Over 64 years - 11.4%
• Assistive Technology Service Agency:
  • Under 55 years - 9.3%
  • Age 55-64 years - 6.6%
  • Over 64 years - 4.5%
• Own Research Efforts:
  • Under 55 years - 39.9%
  • Age 55-64 years - 50.0%
  • Over 64 years - 56.8%

Slide 10 of 18

Insights from Consumer Survey III

• Self:
  • Under 55 years - 26.6%
  • Age 55-64 years - 35.7%
  • Over 64 years - 36.2%
• Vocational Rehab. Services:
  • Under 55 years - 22.6%
  • Age 55-64 years - 17.5%
  • Over 64 years - 10.6%
• Employer:
  • Under 55 years - 39.7%
  • Age 55-64 years - 40.6%
  • Over 64 years - 46.8%

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