Recent news

Occupational safety and health has a crucial role to play in securing active ageing through a better and longer working life. That’s the message that EU-OSHA is looking to communicate during the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations. Throughout the year, we will be publishing a range of information products and articles on our website as well as passing the message on at public events and conferences.

Check out our active ageing feature  

The Danish national return-to-work (RTW) program aims to improve the management of municipal sickness benefit in Denmark. A study is currently ongoing to evaluate the RTW program. The program includes 21 municipalities with about 19 500 working-age adults on long-term sickness absence, regardless of reason for sickness absence or employment status.

Workplace age discrimination is the most widespread form of age discrimination with one in five citizens having personally experienced or witnessed it. This is a finding of a new Eurobarometer survey presented by the Commission to mark the start of the 2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity of Generations.

France has an integrated national action plan on cancer that addresses public, environmental and occupational health issues jointly. Is is planned to be applied in synergy with the national action plan on health and work (plan national santé travail). Regular reports provides summary information about activities and results. Mention is also made of complementary reports providing more detailed information on the activities, legislative acts and guidance documents.

Quick facts and advice for employers about diversity and older workers

The 2009-report “Injuries in the EU” has been launched this week by EuroSafe.

The working population of Europe is ageing, and action should be taken to prevent ill health and injury to older workers.

Exposure to pesticides and Parkinson's disease

Eurofound launches special website for European Day on Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations, 29 April 2009

Over the last 50 years there has been enormous economic and social progress in Europe and – although there are large regional and social differences – Europeans are living longer than ever before: on average eight to nine years more than in 1960. This coincides with other demographic developments: fewer children are being born, which will mean fewer people paying into state pension and healthcare systems, and a smaller pool of potential carers. The increased lifespan is great news – particularly if accompanied by more years in good health – but also poses many questions for individuals, their families and for social systems. How long do I need to work? When can I afford to retire? Does my employer value my skills? Do governments recognise my contribution in providing care and volunteering?

To mark the occasion of the ‘European Day on Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations’, on Wednesday 29 April 2009, Eurofound has launched a special website which brings together its recent findings, data and recommendations on issues related to the employment of older people, and active ageing issues, and the solidarity between generations.

These cover reports such as ‘Living and Working in Europe’, a snapshot of what it means to live and work in Europe at the start of the 21st century; ‘Working longer, living better – Europe’s coming of age’, a fact sheet on pertinent issues, data and recommendations to the European debate on demographics in Europe; ‘Working longer, living better – What companies can do’, a fact sheet on the different flexible working time options that European companies put in place to meet the needs or preferences of older workers to work’; and ‘A guide to good practise in age management’, a report that reviews case studies from a range of organisations across the EU that have instituted good practice in recruiting, supporting and retaining older workers.

29 April 2009 will be the first European Day on Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations, as proposed during the Slovenian EU Presidency. This day will raise awareness about the need to promote intergenerational solidarity.

The EU member countries are currently experiencing a major population upheaval. This is due to the fall in the birth rate and the increase in life expectancy, resulting in a phenomenon of population ageing.

Moreover, with the baby boom generation reaching retirement age and with young people generally entering the labour market later, there are fears of a shortage of labour. For the European countries, adapting to these population changes represents a major challenge of a scale varying depending on the national policies adopted. Reform of retirement systems - in particular the promotion of active ageing and the goal of increasing the senior citizen employment rate - is undoubtedly one of the main approaches.

But the improvement of working conditions, continuing vocational training and communication programmes are other levers which can be operated. However, to ensure the success of measures to extend working lives, the promotion of health in general and the occupational health of senior citizens in particular seems an indispensable prerequisite.

The public authorities, social partners, enterprises and social security organisations, primarily those managing occupational injury and disease insurance, have to act energetically in a real cultural revolution designed to change attitudes and practices. The aim of this report is to present a review of the current situation regarding employment of senior citizens in Europe, review the general policies designed to increase their occupational opportunities and present an overview of measures taken to increase their employment rate in the member countries of the European Union.

Read the full report here

The report is also available in French: http://www.eurogip.fr/